Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter) novel Chapter 420

I glanced towards the end of the hallway, where Silas, the guy who usually blends into the background, had somehow made his way to the far end without us noticing.

His eyes, shaky and uncertain, landed on the big red emergency button on the wall before darting back to us.

"Hit it, and the escape route will open," a voice whispered, tempting Silas to press it.

We all held our breath, eyes locked on Silas, tension crackling in the air.

Tears streamed down Silas's cheeks as he shook his head. "I-I'm sorry, I'm just so scared. I just want to get out of here, I'm so sorry..."

It was a stark reminder of human nature—how, in the quest for survival, one might sacrifice everyone else.

"Silas!" Annora cried out, her voice breaking with emotion.

But Silas pressed the button anyway.

Through his tears, he stammered, "I know I've made mistakes before, but I've changed, I swear. These past years, I've been trying to do good, to make up for not helping when Colin Carter was hurt in that fire. What could I have done against them? I wasn't strong enough; I just wanted to survive. Is that so wrong? I've been living quietly, working hard, just wanting a normal life. Why am I here? Why?!"

With a look of utter despair, he dashed through the now-open passage without hesitation.

"Self-preservation activated," announced an eerie voice.

As Colin and I made for the exit, a metal gate slammed down, trapping us inside.

No way out.

The room dimmed suddenly, and countless infrared sensors lit up, targeting our foreheads and chests.

Behind us, we knew, were guns ready to fire, leaving us no chance of escape.

"Let's play a game," the creepy holographic little girl reappeared, smiling wickedly at me. "Phoebe, it's him or him. Only one can survive. You choose. You have twenty seconds."