Suddenly, another figure emerged from the smoke — tall, broad-shouldered, but cautious. Mask down, face shadowed but unmistakable in the dim light. The last intruder. Dylan leveled his rifle. “Who sent you?” he demanded, voice low but fierce, like the growl of a cornered animal. The man sneered, lips curling. “Viktor.” The name hit Dylan like a punch to the gut — Viktor. The puppeteer behind the relentless attacks, the dark force pulling strings. “Viktor’s orders,” the man spat, stepping forward. Dylan’s grip tightened on the rifle, eyes narrowing. “You’re done here.” The intruder lunged, knife flashing. Dylan sidestepped smoothly, ducking the blow. With a brutal uppercut, he slammed his fist into the man’s jaw, cracking bone. The attacker staggered but recovered quickly, swinging wildly. Dylan’s breath was heavy, heart pounding thunderously in his chest. The fight wasn’t just survival anymore — it was retribution. He feinted left, then drove his knee into the intruder’s ri

Mara pointed behind the living room sofa. “They installed a small mic unit—wired into the wall.” Vivian stared. “So they’ve had eyes and ears inside for longer than we thought.” Dylan said quietly, “We’re in a goddamn fishbowl.” Marie called out suddenly. “I’ve got movement on CCTV. Pause it.” She stuck a headset on. Vivian and Dylan leaned in as flickering frames advanced. They saw Garren walking through the corridor, just past midnight two nights ago. In his hand was a small device—and he slipped into the bathroom, just as AlphaGhost was being installed. Vivian’s voice went cold. “Pause. Zoom.” Marie did. Garren clicked a panel, pulled a small drive from under the sink. Dylan’s eyes went wide. “That’s BIOS level.” Vivian said flatly: “He had physical access. He’s the one who planted the software. And the burner.” Silence hung. Marie whispered, “He pinged HQ. That’s how they knew to hit us.” Dylan pressed forward. “We take him alive. We need answers, locations. He’s the

They ran.Dylan’s boots pounded against the wet floor, echoing louder than the shots behind them. His heart thudded even harder—like it might break his ribs. Molly’s arms clung tighter around his neck with every jolt.Vivian led the way now, her weapon swinging side to side, eyes scanning every shadow. The heat from the boiler lines made the air heavy, thick with rust and old smoke. Pipes hissed above them like angry snakes, some leaking steam so hot it could melt skin.“No signal still,” Vivian muttered, glancing at her scanner. “Whatever this place is—it’s jamming everything.”Dylan didn’t answer. His whole focus was on the little body in his arms.She felt too light.She hadn’t said another word since warning him. Her cheek rested against his shoulder now, but her small fingers still clutched his shirt like she was trying to hang on to something real.“We’re close,” Vivian said. “There should be a hatch up ahead—access tunnel out. If it’s not locked down—”She stopped.Dead.Dylan

They moved slowly, every step a struggle.Vivian’s arms shook from holding Dylan up. His weight was heavy, but she didn’t care. They had to get out—had to find Molly.The smoke was thick. It burned her throat and made her eyes sting. The tunnel behind them was dark, the collapsed part blocking their way like a wall they couldn’t climb.“Come on, Dylan,” she whispered, voice barely louder than a breath. “You gotta stay with me.”Dylan gritted his teeth, swaying but steady. “Can’t… leave you.” His voice was rough, like he was swallowing glass.Vivian glanced around, trying to find another way. The tunnel was narrow, and the only light came from flickering bulbs high on the ceiling, some broken, some buzzing with electricity that could go out any second.“Wait,” she said suddenly, stopping.Dylan almost fell, but she caught him just in time.“What?” he asked, confused.“There.” She pointed ahead where the tunnel bent sharply. “I think I see a door. Emergency exit maybe.”Dylan squinted t

Vivian carefully helped Dylan stand up. His legs felt like they were made of paper, shaking and weak. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to steady him. His breaths came out rough and uneven, like he was trying to catch every bit of air he could.“Okay,” Vivian whispered, her voice soft but firm. “We need to get out of here. We have to move, right now.”Dylan blinked slowly, trying to focus on her face. His eyes looked tired, heavy with pain, but there was still a little spark inside them. He gave a weak nod, trying to be strong for her.“I’m right here,” she said, squeezing him gently. “I’m not leaving you. Not now. Not ever.”The man’s voice echoed down from above, louder this time. “You have ten seconds. Move, or we come down and take you.”Vivian’s heart hammered so hard in her chest she thought it might burst. She looked up at the dark shadow blocking the stairs, then back at Dylan. He gave her a small, tired smile that somehow made her feel like she wasn’t alone.