It was her life or my freedom.

I drove away from my siblings with a plan to return and help them find our parents. When I held Pearl in my arms as I carried her toward Bunker 3, I knew that I couldn’t leave her to die. She needed a hospital, fast.

At the hospital, the staff kept asking questions that I couldn’t answer. In desperation, I contacted the leader of Bunker 3 and knew that I sealed my fate. One way or the other, I was going back to Bunker 3. I was right; as soon as Pearl was discharged, we were whisked underground.

I thought it was bad being stuck in Bunker 3. That the worst I’d have to face was boredom. When Norman found me, I learned exactly how wrong I was. He was always around, always there. Eventually, he made me an offer that I couldn’t resist. My choices had consequences that I couldn’t stop. I looked in the mirror and didn’t even recognize myself. One thing’s for sure, I knew without a doubt not even Pearl could save me now.

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