WHO AM I

TRUST NO ONE

The salty breeze from the docks hit Lila like a wall as she and Noah arrived, panting from their long sprint. The moon reflected off the inky waters, casting an eerie glow over the abandoned boats and empty cargo containers. There was something unsettling about the quietness of the place, as if the whole world was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

“You sure about this?” Lila asked, looking around nervously.

Noah, his eyes scanning the area, nodded slowly. “Phillip said to come here. We don’t have any other options right now.”

Lila sighed, still clutching her side where a stitch was forming from all the running. Her mind raced with questions, and none of the answers were comforting. What had they stumbled into? Why did it feel like they were always one step behind, like someone was pulling the strings?

As they approached the old warehouse, a shadow moved across the entrance. Lila’s breath hitched. She instinctively pulled Noah back, her heart pounding in her ears.

“Someone’s here,” she whispered.

Noah narrowed his eyes, stepping in front of her protectively. “Stay close. Don’t let go of my hand.”

They edged closer, keeping to the shadows. The sound of footsteps echoed softly in the still air. Noah’s hand tightened around Lila’s as they neared the open door of the warehouse. Inside, dim light flickered, casting long, sinister shadows on the walls.

Just as they were about to step inside, a familiar voice stopped them in their tracks.

“Well, well, well, look who showed up,” Renzo’s voice oozed from the darkness, smooth and chilling.

Lila froze, her blood turning cold. Renzo stepped into the light, his ever-present smirk plastered on his face, but there was something darker in his eyes. Something more dangerous.

“You’ve got some nerve, Renzo,” Noah said, his voice low and tense.

Renzo’s eyes flickered with amusement as he took a step closer. “Oh, come on, Noah. It’s just business. Nothing personal.”

Lila felt her stomach twist. Renzo always had a way of making even the most sinister things sound like they were all part of some grand, harmless game.

“Where’s Phillip?” Noah demanded, his tone hard.

Renzo shrugged casually. “Phillip? Oh, he’s around. But I wouldn’t count on him showing up anytime soon.”

Something in Renzo’s tone sent a shiver down Lila’s spine. She couldn’t help but feel like they were being played, like this whole thing had been orchestrated from the start.

“Why are you doing this?” Lila asked, finding her voice, though it trembled slightly.

Renzo’s smirk widened. “Why not? You’re all so predictable. It’s almost boring.”

“Predictable?” Noah snapped, taking a step toward him.

Renzo held up his hand. “Easy there, cowboy. Don’t get too worked up. We wouldn’t want this to get messy.”

Suddenly, a voice from behind them made Lila’s heart drop.

“Or maybe we do.”

They whipped around to see Zara stepping out from the shadows, a wicked grin on her face, a gun casually hanging from her fingers.

Lila’s mind reeled. Zara was supposed to be one of them. She was supposed to be on their side.

“Zara...?” Lila whispered, her voice cracking with disbelief.

“Oh, sweetie,” Zara said with mock sympathy. “You really thought this was all about friendship and loyalty?”

Noah’s jaw clenched. “You’ve been playing us this whole time.”

Zara twirled the gun lazily. “Pretty much. But don’t feel too bad. You made it entertaining.”

Lila felt the ground sway beneath her. Everything was falling apart, faster than she could process. Friends turning into enemies, trust shattered with every word Zara spoke.

“So, what now?” Lila asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Renzo and Zara exchanged a glance, the unspoken threat hanging heavy in the air.

“What now?” Renzo said, stepping closer until he was only inches away from Noah. “Now... we see who’s really in control.”