Nicholas ran, tearing through the thick bushes, crashing through the dense forest. His body ached all over. His right thigh throbbed from Serafina's knee, and his ribs screamed from getting slammed onto the warehouse floor.The semi-automatic gunfire was closing in. He could hear the heavy footsteps of those big dudes, not just behind him, but also flanking him, like they'd already surrounded the whole damn woods. They were fast, too damn fast."Get him! Don't let him get away!" a voice barked from right behind Nicholas.Nicholas gritted his teeth. He pushed himself harder, leaping over fallen tree trunks, scrambling past jutting roots. This wasn't just a chase anymore. This was a fight for survival. He was outgunned and outnumbered, and they clearly knew how to move in this kind of terrain. Nicholas knew he wasn't in top shape. The mental drain from his confrontation with Serafina, plus the tension with Isabella, had sapped his energy.A bullet whizzed past his ear, embedding itself

"Don't move!" one of the officers yelled, aiming his rifle at Nicholas. "Hands up!"Nicholas tried to raise his hands, but his shoulder felt like it was being stabbed. He hissed. "I'm... General Nicholas. Special Forces." His voice was hoarse.The officer who had yelled earlier approached cautiously. He saw the wound on Nicholas's shoulder, the blood staining his shirt, and Nicholas's grim, albeit pale, face. Nicholas painfully reached into his inner pocket, pulling out a leather wallet containing his official military ID.The officer took the wallet, his eyes scanning the ID under the flashlight. His expression changed drastically. The tension in his body evaporated, replaced by genuine respect. "Our apologies, General! We didn't know. Reports of gunfire and a small brush fire. We thought... what can we do to help, General?""Call a medical unit and a search team. There's an armed group in the woods. I need the area secured," Nicholas commanded, his voice regaining its firmness, thou

It was 3:00 AM. The sky was still pitch black, but inside the silent car heading towards Lake Hotel, the atmosphere was chilling. Nicholas led Team Alpha. Behind his tired face, his eyes gleamed with a hunter's sharpness. The wound on his shoulder still throbbed, but that pain was nothing compared to his resolve."Martin, your team in position?" Nicholas spoke through the earpiece. His voice was low and commanding."Affirmative, General," Martin replied, his breathing sounding steady. "Team Delta ready to penetrate the ventilation system. Awaiting orders.""Stella?""Team Bravo on perimeter, General," Stella's voice came through crisply. "Already identified two guards at the front post. They're out of sight. Requesting permission for non-lethal incapacitation.""Not now," Nicholas said. "Main objective is Luna. Don't make any noise until Luna's secure. Follow instructions."Nicholas's car pulled to a stop in a hidden area, not far from the hotel's back entrance. Nicholas and Team Alph

Nicholas lay on the medical bed at the base, the gunshot wound in his side closed, his shoulder neatly bandaged."General, the search team reported evidence of a fierce battle at the shootout location. Many high-caliber firearms were found. No bodies, but plenty of bloodstains. Police teams have secured the area, General. Serafina vanished without a trace."Nicholas got up from the bed, despite Martin's attempt to stop him. "I have to find her.""General, you haven't recovered," Martin pleaded."No time," Nicholas said, grabbing his clothes. "Martin, I need a small team. We're going to find Serafina. She must have a secret hideout in this city."...It took Nicholas and his small team two days to find Serafina.They found her in an old, abandoned art gallery."I knew you'd come, Nicholas," Serafina said, without turning around. "You always find me."Nicholas stood at the doorway, his team waiting outside. "I need to talk, Serafina."Serafina finally turned, her eyes red and swollen. "