The cool ventilated air tasted stale and dry as Na'eem sculked through the military base. It wasn't hard getting in; he was still verified military personal after all. And of all the inhumans, he'd always looked the most human. Just enough to pass.

  He didn't need to get deep inside the base, medical equipment was always the closest area. Still, he held his breath as he walked past the guards at the doors. Secret military bases had a strict rule of shoot first and ask questions later. And usually, the questions didn't get asked.

  'Hey! Are you—' someone's voice called out, Na'eem jumped. He slammed the doctor's head into the wall, then looked around. No one had noticed them, or so it seemed. He quickly changed into the doctor's uniform; it was loose fitting but he doubted anyone would notice.

  An iron lung, that's what they called it. Science had advanced as far to replace human body parts, Na'eem just hoped that all those rules would apply to Yuxi too. He continued to move through the rooms and security passes, the doctor's card taking him a little further without notice.

  He started frying door locks and melting glass.

  It was really starting to get cold, Na'eem figured he was getting closer. This was where they kept body parts or the like. He'd heard about it, it's where they had taken most of his friends when they hadn't survived the initial trials.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  He bit his lip, he just needed to get in and out. No need to get all sentimental. Still, it was suspicious that he hadn't met anymore security. But they couldn't know he was here, that didn't make any sense.

  Swallowing his doubts, he crept into the ice room. Bodies suspended in clear coloured liquids floated, dreaming the endless sleep. Or hopefully dead.

  Na'eem flinched, the faces in the murky waters looked so familiar. He pressed his face against the glass, trying to make them out. The body inside had both eyes closed but still it looked back at him. Na'eem gaped; the person inside the container...

  Was Yuxi.

  He shook his head away; he couldn't keep looking. He had a mission to complete, he couldn't waste his time looking at... her.

  But it really was her.

  Na'eem saw what he was looking for, a large metal container at the end of the room. He made a dash for it, grabbing it. He instantly regretted it, a sharp burn tore into his palms and he let go of the container. The pain brought a temporary relief from what he'd just seen.

  Concentrating his thoughts he coated his hands in a thin layer of cold flame. He took the container, it hit his chest and he felt a rush of cold fill his lungs. He only needed to carry it so far, he was sure he could get it out within the time.

  He stumbled back the way he came. Still, it was dead empty. Like somebody had already paved the way for him to come back. Na'eem walked slower, trying to hide his footsteps.

  There were dozens of conversations, floating around the base. But none of them were urgent or hushed. It was just a constant stream of noise. Na'eem passed the two guards again, he didn't give them any attention and they paid him none back.

  He was out. Just a little further now.