The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 245: Ch 244: Captured - Part 1

Selene’s mind swam in darkness, a deep, suffocating void that pressed against her from all sides.

Her limbs felt like lead, her veins thrumming with something unnatural.

Every attempt to move was met with an overwhelming, paralyzing resistance. It was like being trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.

Pain curled through her body like slow-burning fire. The drug—whatever it was—wasn’t just meant to put her under. It was changing something inside her.

She wasn’t sure what.

But she knew it wasn’t good.

Faint voices filtered through the fog.

"...not responding?"

"...unfortunate if her consciousness doesn’t hold..."

"...fascinating resistance... her body is adapting..."

Dr. Aldric.

Even through the haze, Selene recognized his voice. The sick delight in his tone made her stomach churn.

’I have to wake up.’

She tried forcing her fingers to move.

Nothing.

’Damn it!’

Her heart pounded faster, but her body refused to respond.

She reached out for the system.

Silence.

No flashing notifications.

No guiding prompts.

Nothing.

It was like she had been cut off from it completely.

Panic coiled in her chest.

Then—

[You called for me?]

A voice.

Not the system’s.

This one was deeper. Smoother. Almost... amused.

Selene’s mind sharpened despite the haze.

’Who are you? Are you going to answer me this time?’

She demanded.

[There is no need for you to know that.]

A chill crawled down her spine.

The voice chuckled softly, the sound slithering through her consciousness like smoke.

[And I am willing to help you... but you must trust me.]

Selene’s instincts screamed at her.

This was a trap.

This presence—whatever it was—was not normal.

But what choice did she have?

She was completely immobilized.

She needed a way out.

Selene swallowed hard.

’Fine. I’ll cooperate.’

The voice exhaled in pleasure.

[Good.]

A sudden, scorching heat surged through her limbs.

It felt like lightning racing through her veins, burning away the drug’s effects.

Her fingers twitched.

Her breathing evened out.

Her eyelids fluttered.

Dr. Aldric’s voice sharpened.

"Oh? Are you finally waking up, Selene?"

Selene forced herself to stay still.

Not yet.

But soon.

______

Meanwhile, Ethan stormed into the base, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached.

His grip on Isabella Thorne was unrelenting as he dragged her unconscious form behind him.

She was dead weight in his grasp, her head lolling forward, tangled hair obscuring her face.

He barely cared.

His mind was consumed by one thing.

Selene.

He hadn’t been fast enough.

And now she was gone.

Ethan’s teeth ground together as he reached the basement.

With a rough shove, he threw Isabella into a chair. The impact sent a sharp clang echoing through the dimly lit space.

Heavy chains snaked around her arms and torso, locking her in place. The cold metal glowed faintly with enchantments—there was no breaking out of them.

She wasn’t leaving until she gave him answers.

The door behind him burst open.

Zara, Nora, and Noah stood in the entrance, their expressions tight with worry.

Ethan didn’t need to hear their questions.

He turned, his eyes flashing.

"Selene’s been taken."

Silence.

The words hung in the air, suffocating and heavy.

Noah’s usual sarcasm was nowhere to be found.

Zara’s hands curled into fists at her sides.

Then—

Nora exhaled sharply and pulled out her phone.

"I had a feeling something would happen."

She murmured, fingers moving swiftly across the screen.

Ethan frowned.

"What?"

"I bugged Selene’s phone."

Ethan’s head snapped toward her.

"You what?"

"She doesn’t know. But I did it just in case."

Nora admitted, her tone flat.

A red dot blinked on the screen.

The tracker was still active.

The signal wasn’t perfect, but it was enough.

Ethan’s muscles coiled with tension.

They had a location.

They had a target.

His fingers curled into fists.

"We’re getting her back."

Nora’s gaze flickered across the tense faces of the group. She hesitated for only a moment before exhaling sharply.

"I know where we’re going. But I don’t know if we should head there right now.

She said.

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

"What the hell do you mean by that?"

Before anyone else could speak, Nora raised a hand to stop them.

"Let me explain. The place we’re headed to—it’s not just some hideout. It’s the lab of one of the Vale family’s top doctors. Dr. Aldric Vale"

She said.

A heavy silence followed.

Zara cursed under her breath.

Noah’s expression darkened.

"You mean the same Dr. Vale who’s known for his—"

"Yes. That one"

Nora cut him off.

Ethan didn’t hesitate.

"Then we go now."

Nora shook her head.

"It won’t be that easy. That lab isn’t just a regular building. It’s a top-secret facility. Even if we find Selene, getting in and out is going to be a nightmare."

Ethan took a step forward, eyes burning with determination.

"I don’t care. Give me the address. Give me a way in. I’ll handle the rest."

His voice was low, controlled.

Nora sighed, rubbing her temples.

"You’re going to get yourself killed."

"I’d rather die trying than leave Selene there."

Nora met his stare, searching for any hesitation. She found none.

Finally, she turned the phone screen toward him.

"Here. But don’t say I didn’t warn you."

She said.

Ethan stood at the entrance, ready to go, his grip tight around his weapons.

His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders told Zara and Orion everything they needed to know—he was planning to go alone.

"You’re not doing this by yourself."

Zara said, stepping forward.

Orion crossed his arms.

"No way in hell."

Ethan sighed, already expecting this.

"I don’t have time for this argument. I’ll get Selene out. You two stay here."

Noah stepped up next, his face set with determination.

"Then I’m coming too."

Both Ethan and Nora turned to him at the same time.

"No!"

They said in unison.

Noah clenched his fists.

"You cannot be serious right now."

Ethan’s voice was firm.

"Selene went through all that trouble to fake your deaths. You exposing yourself now makes that pointless. If the Vale family finds out you’re alive, all of this—everything—falls apart."