The Decision
The shelter felt smaller than before.
Not physically.
But emotionally.
Like the walls were closing in.
Like time itself was running out.
Adam sat quietly in the center of the room.
He didn't move much anymore.
Not because he couldn't.
But because he was trying to understand what was happening inside him.
Myra stood near the table.
Her hands were still on the scanner.
Still showing error.
Still refusing to explain what Adam had become.
Farid broke the silence first.
"We need to decide."
Everyone looked at him.
Diana frowned.
"Decide what?"
Farid didn't look away from Adam.
"Whether we keep him like this…"
He paused.
"…or stop it before it spreads."
Silence hit the room instantly.
Zul shook his head.
"That's not a decision you say out loud."
Farid replied calmly.
"It's the only decision left."
Raj stepped forward.
"He's still alive."
Farid looked at him.
"For now."
Lyana's voice was quieter.
"We don't even know what 'it' is yet."
Farid nodded slightly.
"That's the problem."
All eyes turned to Myra.
She didn't speak immediately.
Because she was thinking.
Not emotionally.
Scientifically.
Dangerously.
Finally she said,
"The Akra compound is reacting inside him."
She paused.
"But it's not destroying him."
Diana whispered,
"Then what is it doing?"
Myra hesitated.
"…changing him."
Silence again.
Heavier this time.
Adam finally spoke.
"I heard everything."
Everyone looked at him.
He sat up slightly.
"I know what you're discussing."
Farid's jaw tightened.
"Then you understand why."
Adam nodded slowly.
"Yes."
A long pause followed.
Then Adam said something no one expected.
"If I'm a risk…"
He looked at Myra.
"…use me properly."
Myra froze.
"No."
Adam continued calmly.
"I already knew this might happen."
Farid stepped forward immediately.
"You didn't know anything."
Adam looked at him.
"…I knew enough."
Silence.
Zul muttered,
"This is insane."
Diana shook her head.
"We're not executing him."
Raj nodded.
"That's not an option."
Farid looked conflicted.
For the first time—
he wasn't just a leader.
He was a friend trying not to lose someone.
Myra finally spoke again.
"There is another option."
Everyone turned.
She pointed at the sealed container.
Akra leaves.
Fingerroot.
"We stabilize the reaction."
"But we don't control it."
She looked at Adam.
"We guide it."
Farid frowned.
"You mean experiment."
Myra didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Adam looked down.
Then slowly nodded.
"If that gives me a chance…"
He paused.
"…do it."
Farid shook his head slightly.
"You're not deciding alone."
Adam looked at him.
"I am the one inside it."
Silence.
Then suddenly—
a loud metallic sound echoed from outside the shelter.
CLANG.
Everyone froze.
Zul moved immediately to the window.
His face changed.
"…movement."
More sounds followed.
Closer.
Heavier.
Not random.
Coordinated.
Diana whispered,
"No…"
Myra stepped back.
"That's not infected noise…"
Raj tightened his grip.
"…that's something else."
Farid looked toward the door.
Then back at Adam.
"We don't have time anymore."
Adam stood slowly.
Despite everything.
Despite the fever.
Despite the change inside him.
And he said quietly,
"Then make your decision after we survive tonight."
Outside—
something began breaking through the perimeter.
And inside—
the experiment had already started… 🧬⚠️🧟♂️