District 42-Chapter 135: When something is off

The time passed like a rocket. For everyone, it was as if they couldn’t even catch their breath properly.

Even after that time resting, just chatting, sleeping, or looking into space, when they stood up again, gravity nearly pulled them back to the same position as before.

They were as exhausted as before. Now that their muscles were cooled down, the adrenaline was gone, and they could stop the frenzy inside their minds, the prisoners were feeling all the harm that they received at such intense physical activity and psychological pressure.

The only thing that gave to them the disposition to get up from the floor and keep going was their will to finish everything as soon as possible. Although they were very worn out, they couldn’t wait until the second they would put their feet outside that place.

All the countermeasures for possible future harm were made. The wounded prisoners were treated with top-quality medicine, the Ridires got all handcuffed, and Casper reviewed part of the plan with everyone.

After this, all they needed to do was to organize their lines in order to leave the complex.

Their formation couldn’t be the same once they got into the Third Lab. The corridors wouldn’t be as big, nor as empty, since scientists were wandering around there as well.

Besides, part of Freygar’s troops was stuck at the lower levels of the Third Lab and probably waiting for both the Aesir heroically returning after the successful mission or Casper continuing with his escape.

They would never doubt their leader, but as far as Casper noticed, those Ridires were quite competent, and surely were trained to wait for whatever the situation to prevent any mistakes.

After they were done, Olaf, Casper, and Alfar got the lead of the formation. Ragnar would be there as well, but he was still very incapable, so it was better to let him in the rear.

Casper looked towards Olaf, that gave him a thumbs-up, and them to Alfar. The last didn’t do anything, he was staring intently to the end of that corridor and paid attention to nothing else.

"I am starting to find it quite curious. He isn’t the sociable type, but... What kind of thing is really happening with him? Ragnar could give us a hint of what’s going on, but very subjectively...

"He is like this since the last battle he had with the duplicates of Freygar’s troop before he went to save me... Is there something bothering him? I heard from some prisoners that he could defeat Anton, the traitor... Since he doesn’t like to kill or be labeled as a murderer, maybe it is bothering him?"

Casper couldn’t stop thinking about that issue. Alfar didn’t seem to be a guy who would get so troubled about something trivial.

Casper tried to brush it off and ignore that question for the time being, turning to the prisoners and making a signal to start the march. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

They did as he asked and began to walk in the direction that he pointed.

During all that trip, though, something was off. Not just Casper, but Olaf, and all other people behind them could felt a different atmosphere in the air.

It was a feeling very similar to what they felt that morning. Everyone could predict that the time was about to come, the handcuffs would be shattered, and the escape would start.

It was just momentaneous but showed to be right when they found themselves being free partially from the masks and being able to fight for their freedom.

However, the thing that was spreading around the atmosphere wasn’t something as exciting and euphoric as the one from that morning.

In truth, what the prisoners felt was more of a bad omen than good anticipation.

It was like everyone knew that a timer bomb was about to explode. They didn’t know the exact time, nor the place, but was there, they were sure.

It was such an unbearable feeling, that the troops started to get restless. Though, nobody talked or did a minor noise except their steps.

That silence somehow raised the tension. They started to ask themselves why their hearts were racing that much.

Maybe it could be an enemy, though all of them were defeated.

Maybe someone was going to betray them, but who would do it?

Or, worse, the escape may not go well... But they were almost there...

Facing those unsolved questions, they choose to keep quiet and wait to see what would happen, and like this, they were able to reach Halden’s gate, their final step to get out of that prison, the only way to go to the lower levels of the Third Lab and see the outside world again.

"Ok, everyone, I will just need to adjust the electricity of the complex to make this elevator works. Most likely the Ridires are still trying to sort out how to fix it, and they will be right on our faces once we get there."

Casper made them stop their march and started to explain everything.

"The Indigo supply of the Third lab comes from a different provider in the Castle, different from Halden that has its own, so the weapons you picked up will be working again" Added Olaf.

"Yes. As Olaf said, we will not be worthless against them, so it will be easy to fight back, particularly because it will be a surprise. I am pretty sure that, despite their competence, they will be waiting for their leader to come back."

Everyone nodded, still quiet. They looked with hopeful eyes towards that elevator.

Casper started to operate the master key, and it didn’t take too much time for him to delete the cracks he did into the Electricity system.

The elevator made a strange noise, then started to work again.

Casper grinned, happy that everything went well. He was a bit proud of himself that he learned how to operate the master key so quickly.

He pressed a button beside that gate and it opened with a loud sound.

"There it is... That’s goodbye for Halden. We are even closer now..." His eyes shone at that sight.

Casper was trying to reason how he could distribute all those prisoners. Everyone wouldn’t fit that elevator, he would need to split them into, at least, six groups.

However, he needed to choose the first group carefully, since they would be the ones acting in the possible battle that would be fought once they got into the lower levels.

He got together with Olaf and started to discuss the main parts of their plan to make a good organization in the troops.

Alfar didn’t seem too interested in that matter and just walked off. He was usually the type of guy who would not stay at a conversation he couldn’t add anything, so it wasn’t something out of the ordinary.

However, even that usual action made Casper suspect. Every movement of Alfar was seeming a bit strange that day for some reason.

It probably was paranoia caused by the words that Ragnar said to them before, but he wasn’t too sure.

He watched the Dark elf walking towards the elevator and starting to inspect it.

"Hmm, maybe I am just overthinking it? Maybe he is just trying to be useful. He always tries to do it when no one is noticing... But, does he know about elevators or something?"

"Hey, Casper!" Olaf snapped his fingers in front of him, drawing his attention. "I know what’s going on in your mind but, don’t you think it’s time to focus on something different? I-I mean... W-well it’s up to you. I wasn’t being bossy or something. You can..." Casper waved his head to him, interrupting his blabbering.

"Shut up already, Olaf. You need to be more confident. What you said is about right, don’t worry. Indeed, there is nothing too good to take from all this situation." The soldier tapped him on the shoulder.

"Let’s go, we need to choose some of the prisoners, but the best ones to fight, and that are less harmed. We will need to do it one by one, and it must be quick. I am trusting in your judgment to choose some of them. If we do it together at the same time, the time will be halved."

Olaf was a bit apprehensive when he heard that someone was counting with his abilities, however he seemed to be disposed to show what he was capable of.

That man had more intelligence than he himself could admit or notice. That was why Casper thought that he was the most reliable comrade he got inside that prison.

Just when they were about to walk through those lines and finish with that labor, Alfar called them from far away, inside the elevator.

"What’s up, Alfar?" A bit annoyed, Casper approached the elevator. Olaf got there a few seconds after him.

"There is something wrong with the elevator." He said, his expression darkened.

The other two stayed in the same place, perplexed.