Astral Knight

The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the object that had caught Dylan's eye. It sat on a pedestal in the center of the room, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly light. The color was unlike anything Dylan had ever seen—cosmic purple, deep and vibrant, as if it had been plucked from the heart of a nebula. But what truly captivated him was its shape: it looked like a DNA helix, twisted and coiled, its strands glowing faintly as if alive. It was mesmerizing, almost hypnotic, and for a moment, Dylan forgot about the guards, the chase, and the fact that he was trespassing in a high-security facility.

He stepped closer, his breath shallow and uneven. The object seemed to pulse, its light growing brighter with each step he took. It was small, no bigger than a baseball, but it radiated an energy that made the air around it hum. Dylan's curiosity overpowered his caution. He reached out, his fingers trembling as they inched toward the glowing helix.

The moment his skin made contact, a searing pain shot through his hand. It was like touching a live wire, the burn so intense that it felt like his bones were melting. Dylan jerked his hand back, biting down hard on his lip to stifle a scream. Tears welled in his eyes as he cradled his injured hand, the skin already red and blistered.

"What the hell…" he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

The object continued to glow, its light now almost blinding. Dylan stumbled back, his heart racing. He didn't know what it was, but he knew one thing: he needed to get out of there.

He scanned the room, his eyes landing on a vent cover in the corner. It was small, but it looked like his only way out. He hurried over, his injured hand throbbing with every movement. The vent cover was secured with screws, but they weren't old and rusted, *c'mon it was a new building how'd you expect it to be old and rusted.* Of course it was very new if it had to be sold again it'll be sold for NEW price. Dylan grabbed a nearby wrench from a toolbox and started loosening them, his hands shaking with urgency.

He was right handed meaning that his right hand was burnt by the DNA helix sitting in that box-like structure which added to his unstableness the nuts fell from his burnt hand, ringing like the Catholic bell at the centre of the County. Dylan cursed fouly but he couldn't afford to stop although, thanks to the door which was at least sound proof the room would have been flooded with guards.

The sound of voices outside the door made him freeze. The guards were close, their footsteps growing louder with each passing second. Dylan worked faster, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The last screw came loose, and he yanked the cover off, the metal clattering to the floor.

He didn't have time to think. He squeezed into the vent, his body scraping against the narrow metal walls. It was tight and claustrophobic, but he forced himself to keep moving. The vent led to a larger shaft, and Dylan followed it, his heart pounding in his chest.

After what felt like an eternity, he saw a sliver of light ahead. He crawled toward it, his muscles screaming in protest. The light came from an emergency exit sign, its red glow a beacon of hope. Dylan pushed the vent cover open and tumbled out, landing hard on the ground.

He was outside.

The cool night air hit him like a slap, and he took a deep, shuddering breath. But there was no time to rest. The sound of voices and footsteps echoed behind him, and he knew the guards weren't far behind.

Dylan took off running, his legs burning with every step. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he couldn't stop. Not now.

The woods loomed ahead, dark and foreboding. Dylan plunged into them, the underbrush scratching at his arms and legs. He ran until his lungs felt like they were on fire, until his legs gave out beneath him. He stumbled, falling to his knees, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

He reached into his pocket, fumbling for his inhaler. His fingers closed around it, but when he pulled it out, his heart sank. It was empty.

"No…" he whispered, his voice trembling *Must have dropped when i wanted to touch the helix or..or might have fell off when i was climbing the vent* Dylan was feeling confused and nervous at the same time, too much problem for a teen with a failed lung. But he guessed bad things do happen to bad people. If he had sat down his had on his bed and tucked himself clean he wouldn't be so fucked up.

He wanted to curse, to scream, to do something, but he was too winded to speak. His vision blurred, the edges of the world fading into darkness. He slumped to the ground, his body too exhausted to move.

The last thing he saw before everything went black was the faint glow of the cosmic purple DNA helix, its light burning in his mind like a brand.

And then, nothing.