Nexus and Shadows

CHAPTER 13 - Chasing Shadows

The adrenaline was still coursing through Zade’s veins as they sprinted down the dimly lit streets, the echoes of the Nexus facility alarms fading behind them. He glanced at Serena, her face lit with determination despite the fear flickering in her eyes.

“Where the hell is Aric?” Zade muttered, frustration gnawing at him. They had barely escaped, and the weight of what they had discovered was heavy on his shoulders. “He should’ve been waiting for us!”

Serena’s brow furrowed, her expression taut. “Maybe something went wrong. We need to get to the rendezvous point before they find us again.”

Zade nodded, pushing aside his worries about Aric. They had to keep moving. The shadows loomed around them, each dark alley and corner feeling like a potential ambush. He could almost feel the eyes of Nexus watching, waiting for their next move.

As they turned a corner, Zade caught sight of a flickering streetlight, its dying glow illuminating the path ahead. But before they could reach it, a loud crash echoed from a nearby alley.

“What the—?” Serena gasped, grabbing Zade’s arm.

“Stay close,” Zade hissed, his senses heightened. They crept toward the sound, hearts racing as they peered into the darkness.

A figure emerged from the shadows, stumbling into view. It was Aric, his clothes torn and smeared with dirt. He looked disheveled, panic etched across his face.

“Zade! Serena!” he shouted, relief flooding his voice. “Thank God I found you!”

“Aric! What the hell happened?” Zade rushed forward, gripping his friend’s shoulders. “We thought you were already at the rendezvous!”

“I tried to get out, but they caught me,” Aric said, his breath coming in ragged gasps. “I barely escaped. They’ve increased security everywhere since the explosion. We need to move before they find us again!”

“Great. Just fucking great,” Zade snapped, his anger boiling beneath the surface. “We’re already in deep shit, and now they know we’re alive!”

“Zade, let’s just focus on getting out of here,” Serena urged, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “We can’t let them corner us.”

Suddenly, a loud shout echoed from the direction of the facility, the sound of boots pounding against the pavement growing closer. Zade felt a surge of panic.

“They’re coming!” he yelled, adrenaline pushing him forward. “We need to go—now!”

The three of them took off, sprinting down the street as the shouts of the guards rang in their ears. Zade could feel his heart racing, the fear and anger blending into a fierce determination.

“Where do we go?” Aric asked, glancing back over his shoulder. “They’ll be everywhere!”

“There’s a safe house a few blocks away,” Zade said, his mind racing with their options. “If we can make it there, we can figure out our next move.”

They rounded another corner, skidding to a halt as they faced a group of guards blocking their path. Zade’s stomach dropped.

“Shit! They’re everywhere!” he swore, looking for an escape route. “We can’t fight them head-on!”

“Backtrack!” Aric shouted, turning on his heel.

As they dashed back the way they came, Zade’s mind raced. They needed a plan, and they needed it fast. They ducked into an alley, trying to catch their breath, but the sound of pursuit was relentless.

“Zade, think!” Serena urged, her eyes wide. “We can’t keep running forever!”

Zade clenched his fists, anger boiling within him. “I know that! I’m fucking trying!” he snapped, but the frustration drained from him as he took a deep breath. They were in this together; he couldn’t let his emotions cloud their judgment.

“Let’s split up,” Aric suggested, his voice urgent. “I can draw them away while you two make it to the safe house.”

“No way! We’re not leaving you behind!” Serena protested, her expression fierce.

“If we stick together, we’ll all get caught,” Aric argued. “I’ll make noise and lead them away. You guys just get to safety.”

Zade weighed the options, feeling the heavy weight of the decision. They couldn’t afford to lose Aric. But they also couldn’t let fear dictate their actions.

“Fine,” Zade said finally, meeting Aric’s determined gaze. “But you better find us once you’re clear. No heroics.”

Aric nodded. “I’ll be right behind you. Just go!”

As Zade and Serena turned to leave, Zade shot one last look at Aric, whose resolve was unwavering. With a heavy heart, he and Serena sprinted down the alley, the sound of Aric’s footsteps fading behind them.

They raced through the labyrinth of streets, each shadow threatening to swallow them whole. Zade’s mind was racing as they approached the safe house, a nondescript building nestled between two larger structures.

“Almost there,” he whispered, pushing Serena forward.

But as they reached the door, Zade’s heart sank. It was locked.

“Damn it! It’s locked!” he cursed, slamming his fist against the door. “Aric should’ve given us the key code!”

“Try the back!” Serena suggested, glancing nervously over her shoulder as the sound of distant voices approached. “Hurry!”

They darted around the side of the building, desperately searching for a way in. The shadows seemed to close in around them, and Zade’s heart raced with each step. They couldn’t afford to be caught now.

“There!” Serena shouted, pointing to a small window that was slightly ajar.

Zade nodded, determination surging through him. “I’ll lift you up. You can get inside and open the door.”

Before she could protest, he grabbed her waist and hoisted her up, her feet scrambling for purchase as she reached for the window.

“Almost… got it!” she said, pushing the window open just enough to squeeze through. “Zade, get ready!”

He watched anxiously as she climbed inside, her figure disappearing from view. The voices grew louder, the urgency of their situation pressing down on him.

“Come on, come on!” Zade muttered, his heart pounding.

A moment later, he heard the click of the lock turning, and the door creaked open. Serena stood there, her expression a mix of relief and urgency.

“Get in!” she urged, her eyes wide with fear.

Zade darted inside, pulling the door shut behind him just as the voices grew closer. They leaned against the door, their breaths heavy in the silence.

“What now?” Zade asked, trying to calm the chaos swirling in his mind.

“We need to lay low for a while,” Serena said, glancing around the dimly lit room. “There should be a way to contact someone who can help us.”

Zade nodded, the weight of the situation crashing over him. They had escaped, but the fight was far from over. Nexus was still out there, and they wouldn’t stop until they found them.