Beyond the Kill

chapter 3 - INFILTRATION

---

**Chapter Title: Infiltration**

The mansion’s facade loomed in the moonlight as Dr. Hayes and I approached. His steps were hesitant, eyes darting nervously around the darkened landscape. Shadows played across his face, amplifying the anxiety etched there. This mission, a chance to escape his past loneliness, was both exhilarating and terrifying for him.

“How do you know so much about this place?” he whispered, his voice barely steady.

“Years of experience and some intel from you,” I replied.

Dr. Hayes nodded, his gaze fixed ahead. “Victor was my patient. I picked up details during our sessions—his routines, the mansion’s layout.”

I disabled the outer fence’s security system with a device. The gate clicked open, and we slipped inside, moving silently across the lawn.

At the back entrance, I picked the lock. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit hallway. We paused, listening for any signs of movement.

“Clear,” I whispered.

Navigating the mansion’s labyrinthine corridors, I briefed Dr. Hayes. “Ryder, the head of security, is sharp and ruthless. Be extra cautious.”

We encountered a motion sensor. I guided Dr. Hayes through a narrow gap, his anxiety palpable as he gripped my arm tightly, his breaths shallow. The mansion’s oppressive silence seemed to heighten his fear, but he managed to follow my lead.

Arriving at Victor’s office, we heard footsteps approaching. I signaled Dr. Hayes to hide and pressed against the wall. A guard’s flashlight beam swept the corridor. Once he passed, I moved silently. With night vision goggles, I approached the guard, incapacitating him and stowing his body in a nearby closet.

Dr. Hayes emerged, relief in his eyes but his breath still uneven. “How do you stay so composed?”

“Experience,” I replied, scanning for additional threats. “And focus.”

Inside Victor’s office, the room’s opulence contrasted sharply with the danger outside. I noticed a draft behind a large painting. Moving it revealed a small keypad.

“Any idea about the code?” I asked.

Dr. Hayes hesitated, his hands trembling. “He often mentioned his daughter’s birthday—April 23rd, 1985. Try 042385.”

I entered the code. The keypad beeped twice and then flashed red. “Incorrect,” a mechanical voice announced. A countdown timer appeared on the display: 30 seconds. The urgency in the room was palpable.

Dr. Hayes’ mind raced, panic surging through him as he glanced between me and the keypad. His breaths were rapid, each second ticking by like a hammer strike. His fingers fidgeted anxiously, and he clutched the edge of the desk, knuckles white.

“We have to get out of here, now!” he whispered urgently, his voice trembling. “What if it doesn’t work? What if we get caught?”

“Stay calm,” I urged, my own tension rising. “We’ll figure it out.”

Recalling Victor’s anniversary, I quickly entered the date: 07111990.

The keypad beeped once, then flashed green. The wall slid open, revealing the hidden safe. Dr. Hayes let out a breathless laugh, his eyes wide with excitement.

“Did you see that? We did it!” he exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and triumph.

I nodded, focusing on the safe. “Let’s get what we came for.”

I knelt and worked on the lock. The tension in the room was almost suffocating as the safe’s mechanisms clicked and whirred. After a few tense minutes, it clicked open. Inside were folders and USB drives, which I quickly packed.

“There’s something else,” Dr. Hayes said, pointing to a small, ornate box. Inside were personal letters.

“Add it to the haul. We need to leave,” I said.

Retracing our steps, we moved cautiously through dimly lit hallways. Security cameras cast faint, shifting lights, creating ominous shadows. The air was heavy with the musty scent of dust and a sharp, metallic tang from the security system. Every step echoed, the creaking of floorboards magnified in the silence.

Dr. Hayes stumbled, his foot hitting a creaky board. I pulled him into the shadows, his fingers cold and clammy against my arm. His heart pounded, each thud loud in his ears. The night outside was a chaotic blur of sound and movement, the scent of fresh-cut grass mixing with our adrenaline.

His mind raced with fears of getting caught, the consequences of failure looming large. “What if they find us?” he whispered, his voice tinged with desperation. “What if we don’t make it out?”

“Focus,” I replied, my voice steady. “We’re almost there.”

We hid among dense trees, their branches rustling in the breeze. Ryder’s voice cut through the chaos. “Spread out. Check every inch.”

Dr. Hayes clung to my arm, his fear palpable through his tight grip. I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Stay calm,” I whispered.

A flashlight beam suddenly landed on us. “There they are!” Ryder’s voice boomed, his gun aimed. His imposing figure was silhouetted against the flashing lights, eyes cold and determined. “I’ve been waiting for you, Maclovin.”

Dr. Hayes froze, panic flashing across his face. I stepped forward, feeling the weight of the mission and Dr. Hayes’ dependence on me. My heart raced, every nerve on edge. I met Ryder’s gaze steadily. “I’ve been avoiding you, Ryder. But it looks like we’re stuck together now.”

The air crackled with tension. Every muscle in my body coiled, ready for the confrontation. Ryder’s smirk widened as he tightened his grip on his weapon. Our lives hung by a thread, and the next move would be fatal.

---

The story will take pace from next chapters.
Please vote for chapter of you like it and also comment your feedback.
I will be soon be sharing concept art of other characters.