2025-02-28 18:40:12
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Vivian’s eyes widened. “Dylan!”She twisted toward the staircase, heart hammering. “Stay there! I’m coming down—”“Don’t!” Dylan’s voice cracked but carried enough force to stop her mid-step. “You run, Vivi. Get out!”The masked man chuckled, a low, almost amused sound. “Oh, how noble. The hero bleeds in the dark while the little rabbit tries to fight the wolf.”Vivian’s glare snapped toward him. “Shut your mouth.”Molly let out a short laugh, folding her arms. “Wow. That temper. You haven’t changed.”Vivian stared at her, trying to read her face. “Molly, what happened to you? We’ve been looking for you for hours. We thought—”“Dead?” Molly’s smirk deepened. “Yeah. That’s the point.”Vivian’s jaw clenched. “You… you wanted us to think you were gone?”“Not just you,” Molly said, stepping closer so the dim light caught her grin. “Everyone. It makes the trap sweeter.”Dylan’s cough came from below, harsh and wet. “Vivi… she’s not your friend.”Vivian’s stomach twisted. “I’m starting to f
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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
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They ran.But it didn’t feel like running anymore.Vivian had thrown herself backward the second the explosion hit, twisting her body to shield what she could but the shockwave still hurled her down the tunnel like a ragdoll. Concrete scraped her side, something sharp sliced into her arm, and for a second all she heard was ringing.“Shit!” She screamed in pain, eyes closed. When she blinked through the smoke, her mouth tasted metal. Her heart was pounding too fast, her breath stuck somewhere between sobs and screams.The heat was unbearable.“Dylan…” she choked, dragging herself forward, elbow over elbow. “Dylan!”Nothing.No reply.Just the hiss of burst pipes and the horrible, ringing silence.Her fingers trembled as she pulled herself over shattered debris, searching. The light flickered overhead, throwing shadows that moved like ghosts across the walls.And then she saw him.His body.He was lying on his back, chest rising and falling in shallow bursts, black soot smeared across
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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
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The rusted gate groaned on its hinges as Vivian slipped through first, weapon sweeping left to right. The tunnel beyond was dim and dripping—cracked floor lights flickered beneath a thin layer of murky water.Dylan followed close behind, every step tense. “Where would they even keep a hostage down here?”Vivian checked her scanner. “No signals. Could be storage. Boiler rooms. N7 means sector seven—probably retrofitted an old maintenance area.”Then came the sound—fragile, trembling.Muffled sobs.Childlike.Vivian’s posture straightened, boots splashing faster through the shallow puddles.Dylan’s breath hitched. “Molly?”From the shadows, a hunched figure recoiled, then stumbled. A little girl—bloodied knees, tangled hair, duct tape dangling from one wrist.“Molly!” Dylan choked, rushing past Vivian.The girl lifted her head—dazed, eyes searching. Then they locked on him.“Daddy?”He dropped his weapon without hesitation, falling to his knees and pulling her into his arms. “Oh God. Mo
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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
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