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Adam's world was spinning, the dark void pressing in on him from all sides. Every sound felt muffled, every breath shallow. It was as if he were trapped in his own mind—unable to move, unable to think clearly.
He tried to fight the darkness, but the harder he struggled, the more distant the world became. The last thing he remembered was the cold touch of the device pressed to his chest. That device—what was it? It had drained his strength, taking away the only power he had left.
_"Sarah..."_ he thought desperately, but the name felt like it was far away. The shadows wrapped tighter around him, suffocating him.
Then, through the haze, he heard a voice.
"He's waking up."
The voice was low, ominous. Adam forced his eyes open, his vision blurry, but he could make out the dim shapes of a room. He was lying on a cold, hard floor. The air smelled stale, like old metal and concrete.He groaned, trying to move, but his body felt sluggish, as if he had been drugged. It was only then that he realized he was no longer in the school courtyard. *He was somewhere else.*
A small, dim light flickered above him, casting long shadows against the walls. His limbs felt heavy, his body weak. He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his head, making him wince.
"Welcome to the cage."
The voice again—closer this time. Adam blinked, his vision clearing just enough to see the figure standing in front of him. The same hooded figure from before. Their face was hidden in shadow, but Adam could see their eyes gleaming through the darkness.
"You're with us now," the figure continued, his voice smooth, calculating. "The Watchers never let go of what they claim."
Adam clenched his fists, his thoughts racing. *This was it. They had taken him.* He had no idea where he was, but it wasn't just a room. It felt like a *prison*—a place built for people like him.
"Where am I?" Adam demanded, his voice hoarse. "What do you want from me?"
The figure took a step closer, looking down at Adam with something between pity and disdain. "You're in a facility we've built to contain… *special individuals* like you. People who've been chosen, whether they want it or not."The figure laughed coldly. "You should be. The Watchers have been waiting for this day. You both think you have a choice, but you don't."
Adam tried to stand, his legs trembling beneath him. "What do you mean? What's the point of all this? Why me?"
The figure stepped back, gesturing to the room around them. "This isn't just about you, Adam. This is about *control*. About using the black sheet's power to manipulate time itself. To create a world where we hold the strings. A world where we decide what happens, when it happens. And you're the key to it all."
Adam's chest tightened. "I don't want that power. I just… I just want to be normal again."
The figure's smirk widened. "Normal? You gave up that luxury the moment you activated the sheet. Now, you'll never be the same."
Sarah's eyes narrowed. "You don't get it, do you? Adam doesn't belong to you. You've been manipulating people like him for years, but you're not going to do that to him. Not anymore."
The hooded figure's gaze flicked to Sarah, and there was something cold in their eyes. "You've always been a problem, Sarah. A traitor to the cause."
Adam's mind raced. What was Sarah not telling him? What had she been through before this?Before he could ask, the figure reached into their cloak, pulling out a small vial filled with a glowing blue liquid. "This is what we use to control the power," the figure explained. "It's the final step. Once he drinks this, the power of the black sheet will be ours to control. He will be our tool."
"No..." Adam whispered, panic rising in his chest. "I won't let you."
But it was too late. The figure stepped forward, holding the vial out to Adam.
Before Adam could react, Sarah moved. She lunged at the figure, knocking the vial out of their hand. The glass shattered on the ground, and the liquid spilled across the floor.
"Run!" Sarah shouted, grabbing Adam's arm and pulling him toward the door.
But the figure was already recovering. "You think you can escape?" they sneered. "This is just the beginning."
As Sarah pulled Adam through the door and into the corridor, Adam could hear footsteps closing in behind them. The Watchers were coming.
"We have to get out of here," Sarah said, urgency in her voice. "This is only going to get worse."
But Adam couldn't stop thinking about what the figure had said. *"The power of the black sheet is ours to control."*
He had no idea what that meant, but he knew one thing for sure.
He wasn't going to let The Watchers take his future."Chosen for what?" Adam asked, his voice shaking.
The figure smirked. "You've already begun to understand. The power of the black sheet isn't just something anyone can use. It's part of a much larger plan—one we've been working toward for centuries."
Adam felt his stomach turn. Centuries? What was he really a part of?
Suddenly, there was a noise from behind him. A door creaked open, and Adam saw Sarah step inside, her face tight with worry but determination in her eyes. She looked different now—darker, like the weight of everything they'd been through was taking its toll on her.
"Sarah..." Adam whispered, relief flooding him. But his voice faltered when he saw the way she looked at him.
She wasn't smiling. There was no sense of comfort in her eyes.
"We don't have much time," she said urgently, her voice low. "They've already started the process. The Watchers will make sure you never have control over that power again. You have to break free, Adam. *Now.*"
The hooded figure stepped forward, blocking her path. "I wouldn't try anything if I were you, Sarah. You know better than anyone what will happen if you interfere."
Sarah didn't flinch. "I'm not afraid of you."
and he wasn't going down without a fight.
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