𝙱𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝙸𝚗 𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚜

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟿: 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚎

---

The night air was crisp as Darius and Elara approached

the outskirts of the city, where Vincent's hideout lay

hidden amidst the industrial warehouses. From the

outside, the place looked abandoned-dark, quiet, just

another forgotten building in a sea of concrete. But

Elara knew better. Beneath the surface, danger was

waiting, ready to strike at the first wrong move.

The tension in the car was thick, neither of them

speaking as they neared their destination. Elara's hands

gripped the seatbelt tightly, her heart pounding in

rhythm with the low hum of the engine. She could feel

the weight of what was coming, like a storm gathering

strength, ready to break.

Darius parked the car a few blocks away, pulling into an

alley where the rest of the team was already waiting.

Kat stood by the entrance, her sharp eyes scanning the

area. She gave them a brief nod as they approached, her

expression grim but determined.

"Everyone's in position," she said quietly. "We've scouted

the perimeter. There's heavy security-more than we

expected. This won't be easy."

Darius's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "We knew it

wouldn't be. We go in fast, take out the guards, and get

to Vincent's lieutenants. We can't let them get away."

Elara swallowed hard, feeling the gravity of what was

about to happen. She had been in dangerous situations

before, but this felt different-more final. There was no

turning back now. Either they took Vincent down

tonight, or they'd never get another chance.

Kat handed Elara a small earpiece, her gaze steady.

"Stay close to Darius. We're moving as one unit. No one

gets left behind."

Elara nodded, slipping the earpiece into place. She could

feel the adrenaline starting to build, the fear mixing

with determination. She wasn't just fighting for survival

anymore-she was fighting for her future, for her and

Darius's chance at peace.

Darius took a deep breath, his hand brushing against

hers for a brief moment before they moved toward the

warehouse. The team spread out, moving silently

through the shadows, their movements rehearsed and

precise. Elara kept her focus sharp, every sense on high

alert as they closed in on the entrance.

As they reached the main gate, Kat signaled for them to

stop. Two guards were stationed at the entrance, their