Isabel glanced at Kaivan. Her gaze was like a thin blade—piercing slowly, but deeply. Something trembled within her, something she couldn't put into words. She turned her face away, trying to hide the cracks behind a small, wounded smile.
Hearing their lives spoken of as experimental material, Thivi couldn't hold back her question. "If we fail this experiment… will we die?"
The tension thickened. Everyone could feel anxiety slowly taking root. Levan looked at them with a serious yet uncertain gaze.
"I don't know," he said quietly, his honesty unsettling. "Because this is our first study, I hope no one dies. Especially since…" He paused, letting the silence linger. "Some people in this laboratory will give you Georgian language dictionaries. As you already know, when you stand on new land, you must respect its sky. You are now in Georgia. So you must learn our language."
Levan raised his hand. Several staff members brought out thick dictionaries and placed them in front of the group. Kaivan stared at them in confusion, then muttered softly, "I think he used that proverb wrong."
Levan glanced at Kaivan with a faint smile. "After this, you'll undergo medical examinations, have dinner, and then be separated—men with men, women with women. Kaivan, however, will be assigned to a different lab, in another building. Don't worry. You'll still be able to communicate every night. We'll also allow supervised calls to your families, as long as you don't reveal this location."
Kaivan raised his hand. "After dinner, I want to speak directly with my friends."
"Permission granted," Levan replied calmly, but firmly. "However, you must speak in a special room we've prepared."
They went through medical examinations—rooms flooded with white light and the constant hum of cooling machines. Needles, scanners, and data screens moved swiftly around them. Afterward, they shared dinner in an unnatural silence, as if everyone was holding their breath between hunger and fear. Finally, Kaivan was given permission to meet his friends.
That night, he stepped into the prepared room. The air was heavy, yet carried a trace of hope. The room was simple, but hidden cameras and microphones occupied every corner. Kaivan knew every word would be recorded—but at least this moment would be uninterrupted.
He sat upright in his chair, eyes slowly scanning the room. Soft light fell across his face, reflecting the tension held in his breath. Every second felt precious, as though the world had paused to listen.
The door opened. Radit entered first, wearing his usual bright smile. His steps were relaxed, his eyes roaming the room with an unreadable expression.
"As you know," Kaivan said, his voice low but clear, "their original goal was to study me. You were all dragged into this because of that."
Radit laughed lightly, shrugging as if it meant nothing. "It's fine. Relax, my friend. Honestly, this place might be more fun anyway, hahaha."
Kaivan managed a bitter smile. He knew Radit was trying to cheer him up—but behind that cheerfulness were things they still didn't fully understand.
Zinnia entered next. Her steps were calm, yet concern was written clearly on her face. Kaivan looked at her and spoke softly, full of regret. "I'm sorry. You got involved because of me. Now you're here… and you can't go home."
Zinnia met his gaze, her eyes shimmering as she held back tears. A faint smile appeared on her lips. "It's okay, Kaivan. What matters is that you're free, and that we can still see each other. That alone is enough for me."
Her words carried a depth that was hard to voice. The weight in Kaivan's chest grew heavier.
Frans walked in with his usual mischievous grin. Kaivan looked at him seriously. "What about you? You can't see your girlfriend anymore, right?"
Frans chuckled softly, though sadness flickered in his eyes. "I already broke up with Tira," he said casually. "When I told her I was going overseas, she got angry. But hey—if it's destiny, we'll meet again, right?"
His tone was light, but Kaivan knew the sadness was real. They were all trapped in an experiment they hadn't chosen, with no idea when it would end.
Thivi entered with her usual energy, her smile bright as ever. Without a word, she wrapped her arms tightly around Kaivan. "I can finally hug you," she said, her voice trembling.
Kaivan was startled, but gently calmed her. "Hey… it's okay. Don't worry. This isn't the end. We'll meet again, right?" he said, trying to convince her—and himself.
Yet behind those words, uncertainty lingered. He had no idea what kind of future awaited them.
Felicia entered after Thivi, her expression serious yet gentle. Kaivan looked at her. "Felicia…" His voice weakened.
Felicia interrupted him immediately, as if she already knew what he was about to say. "I know, Kaivan," she said firmly. "I'll stay by your side. No matter what happens, tell me. I won't leave you."
Kaivan nodded slowly, feeling the sincerity pierce him. There was something stirring inside him toward Felicia—something he had yet to understand.
Ethan entered jokingly. "Looks like we're going to mutate into superheroes."
Kaivan gave a crooked smile. "You might be right."
Ethan glanced at the snow outside the window. "This place is cooler, though. I can actually see snow. You don't get this in Indonesia, hahaha."
Raphael entered last. He sat calmly across from Kaivan. "This might feel long… and boring, don't you think?"