Immortal In A Death Game-Chapter 182: Adam’s Resolve

Katherine settled back against the wall, her eyes distant as she gathered her thoughts. She and Adam were now seated on the bed, with her resting her head on Adam’s shoulder.

It was... odd. For all intents and purposes, they would be considered strangers. They haven’t met for twenty years, and the time they spent together before that was only a little over a year.

And yet... Katherine had never felt this close to anyone other than Adam. Adam felt the same.

Well, perhaps what happened during that length of time mattered more—for Adam, the White Room and her was his entire world for that year. It made... sense, in a way.

"You know... When I first met Dr. Aniston, she was... stoic. Professional. Cold, even. But whenever she talked about you..." Katherine’s voice softened. "Her whole face would light up. Like she was talking about her own child."

Adam listened intently, pieces of his fractured memory continuing to click into place.

"She called you Adam once, by accident," Katherine giggled. "During one of our briefings. She caught herself immediately, but... I heard it. That’s why I started using that name for you."

"She... gave me the name," Adam whispered.

"She gave you everything she could." Katherine’s hands twisted in her lap. "A few months before the escape, she told me about her plan. She’d mapped out every detail—guard rotations, security protocols, exit routes. But then she stopped visiting you as frequently. Said it would raise suspicion. So I... I took her place."

A small smile crossed Katherine’s face. "We used to joke about it, you know. You and I. How Dr. Aniston acted like a mother to both of us. The way she’d fuss over our health, make sure we ate properly."

"She..." Adam whispered. "She was my mother. In that place, she was the only mother I knew."

"Hmn." Katherine’s eyes glistened. "That’s exactly what you said back then. And I told you... if she were your mother, then I’d be your big sister."

"Oh..." And another memory resurfaced in him. Katherine, younger then, promising to protect him. Promising they’d escape together.

"She knew everything," Katherine continued. "Every routine, every floor plan, every shift rotation down to the minute. The plan was perfect. But then..." Her voice cracked. "The Game happened. One of the Domes happened to fall close to where the Hospital was. Everything went to chaos."

Adam closed his eyes, remembering the confusion, the screaming, the way the facility had erupted into panic.

"I remember both of you clearly now," he said quietly. "Thank you. For staying by my side when she couldn’t."

Katherine reached over and squeezed his hand. The two went quiet for a moment, but then Adam sighed.

"Katherine," Adam’s voice turned serious. "Dr. Aniston was the one hunting me. She’s the one who tried to capture me in Dallas. And before that."

"That’s impossible." Katherine’s response was immediate, firm. "You don’t understand how much she loved you. It has to be part of some plan, some—"

"No." Adam shook his head. "I could feel it. Her hatred. Her disgust. She looked at me like I was a monster."

"That’s... impossible," Katherine repeated, but her voice wavered. "That..."

"What’s wrong?"

"Twenty years can change a person," she whispered, pausing for a moment. "Before I left the Hospital... things weren’t good. Funding was cut. Security became lax." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Katherine’s hands trembled. "There was an accident. One of the other patients... he ran amok. Killed several people. Dr. Aniston’s... partner was among the dead. I think he was her lover, too."

Adam lowered his head. "How many patients were there?"

"Fifteen when I left."

"I see." Adam’s face hardened with resolve.

"Don’t." Katherine’s voice was sharp.

"Don’t what?"

"I can see what you’re thinking. But Adam, you were different. The other patients... they weren’t like you."

"Different how? Their powers?"

"Yes, but something more important." Katherine gripped his arm. "None of them had your kindness. Some had already committed crimes before the Hospital got them. Some of them... Adam, some of them are actual monsters. If you’re thinking of freeing them, don’t."

Adam fell silent, processing this information.

"Is that why she changed?" he asked finally. "Did she think... I was going to become a monster, too?"

Katherine’s voice was small. "I don’t know. The only thing I know is that the Dr. Aniston I remembered loved you very much."

She straightened up, forcing brightness into her voice. "A lot can change in twenty years."

"Where... is the Hospital located?" Adam finally asked.

"I don’t know," Katherine answered, shaking her head. "I visited it after I became a Hero, but it was already gone and scrubbed. They probably transferred to a bigger facility."

"Oh..."

"As I said, a lot can happen in twenty years. I’ve just been reminded that I’m close to forty now."

Adam blinked in surprise. It made sense, but... "You look younger."

Katherine laughed. "That’s funny coming from you. Heroes seem to age more slowly. But Adam..." Her expression grew serious.

"You’ll outlive us all."

"...Maybe."

"Not maybe. But... enough depressing talk," Katherine said, shaking her head. "What’s been happening with you? I never imagined you as a public servant, but then again, it makes perfect sense."

Adam opened his mouth to respond, but Katherine’s bag suddenly vibrated violently against the bed.

She grabbed her phone, and her face went pale. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no."

More than a hundred missed calls lit up her screen.

"I’m in so much trouble!" she screamed, jumping to her feet.

She threw her arms around Adam in a quick, fierce hug. "I’ll introduce you to my friends soon, okay? We have so much more to catch up on."

They quickly exchanged numbers, fingers flying over their phones.

"I have to go," Katherine said, jumping from the bed and already moving toward the door. "But Adam? I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m so glad you’re helping people."

She rushed out of his room and through the RLRD common area, where Harvey, Beatrice, Leona, and several other team members were sprawled across couches and chairs.

Katherine waved cheerfully as she passed. "Hi everyone! Bye everyone!"

The door slammed behind her.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Harvey gasped as everything finally registered in his mind. "Wasn’t that... Katherine?"

Katherine Thorne. The Radiant Shield. One of the most famous Heroes in America.

Had just walked out of Adam’s room.

They all turned to stare at Adam’s door.

Then, as one, they rushed toward it.

"What the fuck was that?!"