THE NET TIGHTENS

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The moon was high, bathing the deserted Woodland warehouse in a cold, eerie light. Grim and Stanley, crouched behind crates, tried to catch their breath. They thought they had escaped Leo Voss's men, but the sounds of heavy, determined footsteps were getting dangerously closer.

Suddenly, a hoarse voice pierced the silence.

Leo: “Did you really think you could escape the Convoy Protection Division? We've been watching you from the start, gentlemen. »

Grim exchanged a look with Stanley. Before they could react, Tommy appeared, grabbing Stanley and pinning him against a crate with brutal force, while Eloise skillfully blocked Grim, her rifle aimed straight at him. Leo stepped forward, a smirk on his lips.

Leo: “So, the Black Hawk, is that all you got?” I'm disappointed. »

Grim, despite his disadvantageous position, responded with a smirk.

Grim: “Keep dreaming, Leo. If I wanted to, I would have disappeared by now. »

Tommy: “Yeah, yeah, always showing off, the two lunatics. Say, Leo, can I bang them a little? The story is that they talk more, these chatterboxes. »

Leo (raising his hand to stop him): “No, Tommy. Let me have a little fun with them. »

It was at this moment that El Búho, already quite tipsy, staggered into the warehouse, brandishing his bottle.

El Búho: “Well, well, it seems we caught two night owls! » He shook his bottle. “Here, Grim, a little liquid courage? It would do you good. But be careful, even cacti are thirsty sometimes. »

Stanley (grimacing, trying to understand): “But… what is this guy talking about?” »

Leo (sighing): “Don’t try to understand. We all stopped a long time ago. »

El Búho approached Grim, leaning so close that Grim could smell the alcohol fumes. With a lopsided smile, he placed his hand on her shoulder.

El Búho: “You know, Grim, life is like an empty barrel. If you start to fill it, you can make it explode... but if you leave it empty, it sings in the wind. Do you see what I mean? »

Grim (raising an eyebrow): “Not in the least. »

Tommy (laughing): “Even I have given up trying to understand it, and yet I have endurance! »

Leo gestured, and Eloise passed a ropeAround Grim and Stanley's wrists to immobilize them. They resisted for a moment, but Leo hugged the rope a little stronger.

Leo: "I hope the view is good from your little eagle nest. But this time, I am the one who decides the continuation. »»

Stanley (tightening his teeth): “It doesn't change anything. Grim and I will always find a way to get out of it. »»

El Búho: "Ha! A falcon and a fox, blocked in a rabbit trap! It would make a nice fable, you know? A bit like ... ‘the crow and the empty bottle’ ... "He shook his bottle again, the air very satisfied with his comparison. "Yes, that's it! »»

Eloïse (frowning): "El Búho, stops raising and being a little more serious for once. »»

El Búho seemed to think, eyes in the vague, before smiling.

El Búho: "Oh, but I'm very serious! The empty bottle is like a heart ready to do anything to be filled. You, my friends, are you empty ... or are you filled with bullets? Hmmm ... it's beautiful, right? »»

Tommy: “A real poet, this bird. If it continues, he will make Grim cry! »»

Grim cast a freezing look towards Leo.

Grim: "Next time, Leo, you won't be lucky. The black hawk does not allow itself to be caught twice. »»

Leo smiles, approaching Grim with cold intensity in the look.

Leo: "Continue to dream, Grim. Because, in the real world, it is the best hunters who survive, not the birds that fly high. »»

El Búho (raising his glass in a dramatic gesture): "Hunting!" And to the bird in the bottle! »»

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