Faceless Enemies

Chapter 12

Merodach's eyes blazed with intensity as he pieced together the puzzle. The London lead, a clever ruse, masking Agent Black's true whereabouts. His mind racing, he recalculated every move, every strategy.

"Ashwood City," he whispered, his voice dripping with conviction. "She's still there."

The room fell silent, his operatives exchanging uneasy glances.

"Confirm Agent Black's location," Merodach ordered, his tone unyielding.

The air thickened with tension as his team scrambled to verify.

Hours ticked by, each passing moment amplifying the suspense.

Then, the breakthrough.

"Merodach, we've found her," the hacker announced, his voice trembling.

Merodach's gaze locked onto the screen.

Ashwood City.

Agent Black's digital footprint.

The shadow chase had ended.

The real hunt began.

Agent Black, sensing Merodach's closing grip, smiled grimly.

"Time to disappear," she whispered to Rachel.

Rachel's eyes narrowed.

"Not yet."

The stakes skyrocketed, the cat-and-mouse game reaching its deadliest turn.

Merodach's determination hardened.

"I'll unmask you, Agent Black."

Agent Black's resolve strengthened.

The battle of wits intensified, each move precarious, each mistake fatal.

Merodach's fingers flew across the keyboard, crafting a message that would change the game.

"Agent Black," he typed. "I know you're hiding in Ashwood City. Your shadow chase is over."

He paused, collecting his thoughts.

"I want to see your real face, know your true identity. No more masks, no more secrets."

His eyes narrowed.

"I'll stop at nothing to unmask you. No cost is too high."

The message sent, Merodach leaned back, awaiting Agent Black's response.

Agent Black's eyes widened as she read the message.

"Merodach's desperation grows," she whispered to Rachel.

Rachel's expression turned serious. "He's raising the stakes."

Agent Black's fingers danced across the keyboard.

"Merodach," she replied. "You'll never see my face, never know my truth."

Her eyes sparkled with defiance.

Merodach's face twisted in frustration.

"We'll see about that," he muttered.

He initiated a video chat request.

Agent Black hesitated, then accepted.

A blank screen stared back at Merodach.

Merodach's eyes blazed with intensity as he stared at the screen, his connection to Agent Black still active.

"Show me your face," he demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Agent Black's laughter echoed through the speakers, taunting him.

"Why, Merodach? So you can put a face to the name? So you can humanize me?"

Merodach's anger flared. "You're not human to me, Agent Black. You're a ghost, a shadow. And I'll eliminate you."

As Merodach ranted, Agent Black expertly manipulated the connection, hiding her own digital trail while uncovering his.

Rachel worked alongside her, eyes fixed on the scrolling code.

"We've got him," Rachel whispered, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

Agent Black nodded, her gaze locked onto the screen.

"Pinpointing his location...now," Rachel announced.

The screen flashed, displaying Merodach's coordinates.

"Ashwood City, downtown high-rise," Agent Black read aloud.

Merodach remained oblivious to the danger closing in.

"You'll never win," he snarled.

With a swift click, the connection terminated.

Merodach's screen went black.

Agent Black and Rachel shared a triumphant glance, convinced they had outsmarted Merodach.

"The location's confirmed," Rachel said. "Ashwood City, downtown high-rise."

Agent Black nodded. "Let's mobilize the team."

But as they prepared to move in, Rachel's expression turned skeptical.

"Wait," she said. "Something feels off."

Agent Black's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

Rachel rechecked the data. "This location...it's too easy. Too convenient."

Agent Black's gaze turned cold. "You think it's a trap?"

Rachel nodded. "I think it's a fake location. Merodach's trying to lure us in."

Agent Black's face hardened. "Verify the location. Now."

Rachel's fingers flew across the keyboard.

Minutes ticked by.

Rachel's eyes widened. "It's confirmed. The location's fake. Merodach's still in the game."

Agent Black's eyes flashed with anger.

"Merodach, you're clever," she whispered. "But not clever enough."

The game had just intensified.

Merodach watched from his true location, hidden behind layers of encryption.

"Agent Black thinks she's won," he chuckled. "But she's walking right into my trap."