Cyberpunk (MIKHAIAH AU)

Chapter 2 : Bounty

The dim light of the abandoned warehouse flickered as Mikhaiah and Aiah crouched behind a stack of crates, the cold metal biting through their clothes. Mikha’s heart raced, not just from the fear of being caught but from the weight of the bounty on their heads.

“I can’t believe they put a price on us,” Mikha said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Xyphos Industries must be desperate if they’re resorting to mercenaries.”

Aiah peered through a crack in the wooden planks, her expression hardened. “Desperate, or determined? They won’t stop until we’re captured—or worse.”

“I thought we were smart enough to stay off their radar,” Mikha replied, frustration edging her tone. “How did they find out it was us?”

Aiah sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It had to be my old associate. He was always too ambitious for his own good. I should have known he’d come sniffing around.”

Mikha glanced at her, concern flashing in her eyes. “Are you sure? We can’t trust anyone now.”

“I’m sure,” Aiah replied, her voice steady despite the tension. “He reached out to me just before we hacked into their systems. I should have cut ties when I had the chance.”

As they plotted their next move, a sudden crash echoed through the warehouse. Mikha's pulse quickened. “What was that?”

“Trouble,” Aiah said, gripping her wristband tightly. “We need to move, now!”

Before they could react, the warehouse doors burst open, flooding the room with blinding light. Shadows poured in, and a group of heavily armed mercenaries filled the doorway.

“Mikha and Aiah!” one of them shouted, his voice booming. “You’re surrounded! Come out with your hands up!”

“Great,” Mikha muttered. “Just what we needed.”

Aiah shot her a glance, her eyes narrowing. “We can’t let them take us. We fight.”

“Fight? Are you insane?” Mikha retorted, her heart pounding. “We’ll be outnumbered!”

“Better than being captured,” Aiah replied resolutely, adrenaline surging. “Follow my lead.”

With a nod of determination, Mikha readied herself. Aiah sprinted towards the side exit, and Mikha followed closely behind, their movements synchronized. Just as they reached the door, a hail of bullets ricocheted off the metal beams above them.

“Run!” Aiah shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

They darted outside into the night, but the mercenaries were quick on their heels. The two women ducked into an alleyway, panting heavily.

“Do you have a plan?” Mikha asked, glancing back at the pursuing shadows.

“Just keep moving! We need to find a safe place to hide and regroup,” Aiah replied, her mind racing.

They turned a corner, slipping into a narrow side street. The sounds of chaos faded, but they knew it was only a matter of time before the mercenaries caught up with them.

“Where do we go now?” Mikha questioned, her brow furrowed.

Aiah’s expression shifted from fear to determination. “I know a place. It’s not far from here, and it’s safe. But we need to be quick.”

As they moved deeper into the maze of alleyways, the tension mounted. Just when they thought they might be able to breathe, a figure emerged from the shadows—a familiar face that made Aiah freeze in her tracks.

“Surprised to see me, Aiah?” the man smirked, his voice dripping with malice. “You didn’t really think you could just walk away from the past, did you?”

Mikha’s eyes widened. “Aiah, who is he?”

“This is Ben,” Aiah spat, her voice low. “An old friend who sold me out.”

“Old friend?” Ben laughed mockingly. “I did you a favor, really. That bounty on your heads is nothing compared to what I could gain by turning you in.”

Before Aiah could respond, Mikha stepped forward. “You’re making a mistake, Ben. You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

“Oh, I know exactly who I’m dealing with,” he retorted, raising his weapon. “And I’m willing to take that chance for the bounty. Consider this your last warning.”

“Run!” Aiah shouted, shoving Mikha away just as Ben fired a shot. The bullet whizzed past, and they both sprinted back the way they came.

“Don’t stop! We’ll find a way out!” Aiah yelled, her heart pounding as they dashed through the streets.

As they rounded another corner, they barely evaded a second group of mercenaries, realizing they were now trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

“We can’t keep running forever,” Mikha panted, desperation creeping into her voice.

“I know,” Aiah replied, determination flaring in her eyes. “But we won’t go down without a fight.”

With the realization that they were now the hunted, they moved deeper into the city, planning their next move as the shadows loomed larger behind them.