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Description
This is a sequel to "Sparkle," part of my 100-Theme Challenge. Please read that first! Link provided in comments section!

Chell tightened the pack across her shoulders, giving a determined huff as she started for the door. She twisted the knob slowly before pulling it open, making sure not to make any noise. Drawing it closed behind her, she stepped out into the dark hallway of the apartment, painfully aware of the noise her rubber-soled, Combine-issued shoes made on the dull tile.
The hallway was dark and, like everything else in the building, smelled of mildew and rot. Above her, a fluorescent light attempted to turn on, blinking fiercely. To her right was a short hallway that leaded to a locked door after a brief left turn. To her left, the apartment building curved around, eventually leading to some broken stairs. Her main intent was to go down to the next level, to another apartment, and hopefully down one of the fire escapes, providing they were still intact.
The cruel hiss of Combine radio made quick work of any ideas she was entertaining. Fighting down her panic, she ran as quietly as possible to the hallway on the right, dropping to the ground in a crouch and hiding behind the corner.
The radio halted. They were in the hall next to her. Chell's heart began to hammer in her chest, and it was more than an effort to calm her growing panic. She closed her eyes, clenching her fists tightly, as she brought to mind the only thing that would soothe her.
Cara bel, cara mia bella...
She wasn't familiar with all of the lyrics, merely hearing the song once, but she had realized the tune had followed her throughout her last Aperture journey. She'd heard it from the Weighted Companion Cube, chiming it merrily as she'd carried it around. Laser nodes had given a different version – several, actually – as they were activated. She'd even heard remnants of it upon her awakening from her interstellar voyage.
Not only now but during other raids and attacks, the same song had helped to soften the blows of a thrashing heart in her chest. If only she could remember the lyrics. She gave a quiet sigh. Cautiously, hoping the darkness would shield her, Chell peered out from the safety of her corner.
Three Metrocops stood in front of her door. The lead one raised his hand, silencing the others. Then, he lifted a massive boot, effortlessly kicking in the rotted door. They quickly stormed in, and Chell could hear them upturning everything she'd left behind. After a few noisy, stomach-churning moments, they reappeared. The leader pulled out his radio.
"Aperture Prime undetected. Domicile sterilized. Attempt to reclaim initiated."
A garbled response came back. He turned to the other two Combine.
"What are you waiting for? Go look for her!"
The two Metrocops jumped a little, scurrying off in obeisance. Another static-filled message came from the radio.
"Repeat, Nova Prospekt?"
Chell's heart came to a full stop before fluttering like a wounded bird in her chest.
Nova Prospekt.
Nova Prospekt.
She squeezed her eyes shut and covered her mouth with both hands, stifling a cry that wouldn't have broken anyway. Her whole body tightened with panic, her legs stiffening to press her firmly against the wall. She twisted over, falling silently to her knees.
Nova Prospekt was looking for her.
She forced her eyes open, choking down the terror. In front of her was a large air vent, just big enough for her to fit into. Carefully, she slipped her fingers into the thick, wide slits of the vent, pulling the cover off with just a small protest of metal. She quickly backed into the vent and sealed the entrance shut, making sure the cover fit securely.
She backed further into the vent until her back hit an upwards-pointed shaft. She again covered her hands with her mouth, listening carefully for any indication she'd been heard.
If they'd heard her...
If the vent cover fell and made a noise...
If they found her...
They'd take her to Nova Prospekt, that decrepit old prison, located somewhere between misery and utter hopelessness. They'd torture her for information she could not provide. When interrogation failed, they'd pull her apart, piece by piece, cut her open and dig into her brain...
She started to sob quietly.
Despite everything GLaDOS had ever put her through, she feared nothing at Aperture. She could escape anything that any malevolent core or corrupted computer could throw at her, given the proper amount of effort and determination. The Combine proved tougher. If they were devils, then Nova Prospekt was their Hell.
She sucked in a breath as heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. The hand clasped over her mouth tightened, and she gave a stifled groan as she curled her knees to her chest. A pair of black boots appeared at the air duct and shifted around for a heart-stopping moment before disappearing once again.
Chell waited for several minutes of silence before she was able to breathe normally. Fear still clenched her muscles, and for a brief moment she forgot all about escaping to Aperture, her mind filled with the dreaded name of her supposed destination. She bit her knuckle worriedly, tears slowly filling her eyes.
At once, a determined voice entered her head, as if her brain knew she needed encouragement: "I know things look bleak, but that crazy man down there was right!"
Her head lifted. That was GLaDOS's voice!
"Let's not take these lemons!"
She almost laughed as the desperation of the AI's tinny, mechanical voice filled her mind. That the murderous machine's voice had come to mind was of little consequence to her; GLaDOS's memory was a small comfort and more than enough to chase the terror from her mind.
No, she wouldn't take the lemons then, and she sure as Hell wasn't going to take them now.
She looked upward, trying to determine where her path lay. The air shaft above her was dark, but the route seemed simple enough. She felt around, hands shifting against the dusty beveled aluminum, until she was secure enough to stand. Propping her back against one side of the shaft, she lifted one foot and set it against the opposite wall. She carefully lifted the other foot, wedging herself up into the air shaft.
A grin spread across her face. Slowly, she began to ascend.

Description
This is a sequel to "Sparkle," part of my 100-Theme Challenge. Please read that first! Link provided in comments section!

Chell tightened the pack across her shoulders, giving a determined huff as she started for the door. She twisted the knob slowly before pulling it open, making sure not to make any noise. Drawing it closed behind her, she stepped out into the dark hallway of the apartment, painfully aware of the noise her rubber-soled, Combine-issued shoes made on the dull tile.
The hallway was dark and, like everything else in the building, smelled of mildew and rot. Above her, a fluorescent light attempted to turn on, blinking fiercely. To her right was a short hallway that leaded to a locked door after a brief left turn. To her left, the apartment building curved around, eventually leading to some broken stairs. Her main intent was to go down to the next level, to another apartment, and hopefully down one of the fire escapes, providing they were still intact.
The cruel hiss of Combine radio made quick work of any ideas she was entertaining. Fighting down her panic, she ran as quietly as possible to the hallway on the right, dropping to the ground in a crouch and hiding behind the corner.
The radio halted. They were in the hall next to her. Chell's heart began to hammer in her chest, and it was more than an effort to calm her growing panic. She closed her eyes, clenching her fists tightly, as she brought to mind the only thing that would soothe her.
Cara bel, cara mia bella...
She wasn't familiar with all of the lyrics, merely hearing the song once, but she had realized the tune had followed her throughout her last Aperture journey. She'd heard it from the Weighted Companion Cube, chiming it merrily as she'd carried it around. Laser nodes had given a different version – several, actually – as they were activated. She'd even heard remnants of it upon her awakening from her interstellar voyage.
Not only now but during other raids and attacks, the same song had helped to soften the blows of a thrashing heart in her chest. If only she could remember the lyrics. She gave a quiet sigh. Cautiously, hoping the darkness would shield her, Chell peered out from the safety of her corner.
Three Metrocops stood in front of her door. The lead one raised his hand, silencing the others. Then, he lifted a massive boot, effortlessly kicking in the rotted door. They quickly stormed in, and Chell could hear them upturning everything she'd left behind. After a few noisy, stomach-churning moments, they reappeared. The leader pulled out his radio.
"Aperture Prime undetected. Domicile sterilized. Attempt to reclaim initiated."
A garbled response came back. He turned to the other two Combine.
"What are you waiting for? Go look for her!"
The two Metrocops jumped a little, scurrying off in obeisance. Another static-filled message came from the radio.
"Repeat, Nova Prospekt?"
Chell's heart came to a full stop before fluttering like a wounded bird in her chest.
Nova Prospekt.
Nova Prospekt.
She squeezed her eyes shut and covered her mouth with both hands, stifling a cry that wouldn't have broken anyway. Her whole body tightened with panic, her legs stiffening to press her firmly against the wall. She twisted over, falling silently to her knees.
Nova Prospekt was looking for her.
She forced her eyes open, choking down the terror. In front of her was a large air vent, just big enough for her to fit into. Carefully, she slipped her fingers into the thick, wide slits of the vent, pulling the cover off with just a small protest of metal. She quickly backed into the vent and sealed the entrance shut, making sure the cover fit securely.
She backed further into the vent until her back hit an upwards-pointed shaft. She again covered her hands with her mouth, listening carefully for any indication she'd been heard.
If they'd heard her...
If the vent cover fell and made a noise...
If they found her...
They'd take her to Nova Prospekt, that decrepit old prison, located somewhere between misery and utter hopelessness. They'd torture her for information she could not provide. When interrogation failed, they'd pull her apart, piece by piece, cut her open and dig into her brain...
She started to sob quietly.
Despite everything GLaDOS had ever put her through, she feared nothing at Aperture. She could escape anything that any malevolent core or corrupted computer could throw at her, given the proper amount of effort and determination. The Combine proved tougher. If they were devils, then Nova Prospekt was their Hell.
She sucked in a breath as heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. The hand clasped over her mouth tightened, and she gave a stifled groan as she curled her knees to her chest. A pair of black boots appeared at the air duct and shifted around for a heart-stopping moment before disappearing once again.
Chell waited for several minutes of silence before she was able to breathe normally. Fear still clenched her muscles, and for a brief moment she forgot all about escaping to Aperture, her mind filled with the dreaded name of her supposed destination. She bit her knuckle worriedly, tears slowly filling her eyes.
At once, a determined voice entered her head, as if her brain knew she needed encouragement: "I know things look bleak, but that crazy man down there was right!"
Her head lifted. That was GLaDOS's voice!
"Let's not take these lemons!"
She almost laughed as the desperation of the AI's tinny, mechanical voice filled her mind. That the murderous machine's voice had come to mind was of little consequence to her; GLaDOS's memory was a small comfort and more than enough to chase the terror from her mind.
No, she wouldn't take the lemons then, and she sure as Hell wasn't going to take them now.
She looked upward, trying to determine where her path lay. The air shaft above her was dark, but the route seemed simple enough. She felt around, hands shifting against the dusty beveled aluminum, until she was secure enough to stand. Propping her back against one side of the shaft, she lifted one foot and set it against the opposite wall. She carefully lifted the other foot, wedging herself up into the air shaft.
A grin spread across her face. Slowly, she began to ascend.