Lucy Chen-Secret Life part 2

Chapter 12: Chasing Shadows

On the Drive Back to Mid-Wilshire

Lucy sits quietly in the back of the SUV, her body still tense from the events earlier that night. Her mind replays the face-off with Royce, the unease of seeing him again after so many years. The fear she thought she'd buried resurfaces with each passing second. Angela and Nyla are in the front, their eyes scanning the road, but their attention is split between the drive and the way Lucy is withdrawn, lost in her own thoughts.

Angela Lopez: (quietly, glancing over her shoulder)
"Hey, you did great, Lucy. You kept it together out there. You don't have to pretend everything's fine. If you need to talk—"

Lucy shakes her head quickly, cutting her off.

Lucy Chen:
"I'm fine. Just... a little rattled, I guess."

Her voice sounds detached, and both Angela and Nyla exchange a quick, concerned glance.

Nyla Harper:
"It's normal, Lucy. You don't have to hold it in. The past isn't something you just shake off, especially when you face it like that."

Lucy doesn't respond immediately. She stares out of the window, watching the city pass by in the dark, her thoughts a tangled mess. She's grateful for her team, but this is something she never thought she'd have to confront—Royce, her abusive ex, staring her down like a ghost from a life she thought was far behind her. The worst part is, she can feel that same old power he used to have over her, lingering in her chest.

Angela Lopez:
"Look, you know we've got your back, right? No matter what happened, no matter what comes next—"

Suddenly, without warning, Angela slams her foot on the brakes, the SUV screeching to a halt. Nyla's hand snaps to the gun at her side, her eyes scanning the road.

Angela Lopez: (shouting)
"What the hell—?"

Ahead, two black SUVs have blocked the street, the tires screeching as they come to a stop just inches away from the SUV's front bumper. The tinted windows of the vehicles hide the occupants, but it's clear this isn't just a random inconvenience. Something feels off. Lucy's heart skips a beat, her instincts kicking in.

Nyla Harper: (gritting her teeth)
"We're being set up."

The tension in the air is palpable. The men in the SUVs begin to step out, armed, their faces masked. They move with precision and purpose, clearly prepared for this moment. The situation is escalating, fast.

Lucy Chen: (whispering)
"Angela, Nyla... They're here for me."

Angela Lopez:
"Stay down, Lucy. We're not letting them take you."

As the men draw closer, Angela slams the SUV into reverse, the tires screeching again as she spins the wheel. Nyla pops the window, her gun at the ready, her eyes never leaving the masked figures.

Angela Lopez:
"Get ready for a fight. These guys won't go down easy."

The SUV screeches backward, narrowly missing one of the black cars. The men immediately begin to pursue, their footsteps heavy and fast. The air is thick with the sound of footsteps, shouts, and the screeching of tires. Angela takes a sharp turn into an alley, hoping to lose their pursuers in the labyrinth of narrow streets.

But the SUVs are relentless. They follow, their headlights blinding as they push through the dark. The team is on high alert, knowing this is a fight they didn't plan for. Angela drives the SUV through tight turns, trying to shake the black vehicles off, but they're still there, tailing them closely.

Nyla Harper: (reaching for the radio)
"Backup's needed! We've got hostile pursuit. Repeat, hostile pursuit."

Lucy keeps her head low, heart hammering in her chest. She can feel the cold sweat on her skin, the anxiety building. Her mind races. She's been through high-stakes operations before, but this... this feels personal. The men chasing them are connected to Royce, and now, somehow, it feels like her past is catching up with her again.

Angela Lopez: (gritting her teeth)
"Hold on! This might get rough."

Angela speeds through a construction zone, hoping to use the chaos of the unfinished buildings to their advantage. The SUVs follow, but the dust and debris create a moment of cover. Angela twists the wheel, sending the SUV down a narrow alley between two half-constructed walls.

Nyla Harper: (quietly)
"They'll have to back off soon. They won't risk getting caught in a shootout."

The men hesitate momentarily, their approach slowed by the tight alley. But Lucy knows they won't give up that easily. They're not just here for a chase—they're here for her. For answers.

Angela takes another sharp turn, the tires skidding on the wet asphalt, the headlights of the SUVs looming closer. Lucy's mind is still reeling from the confrontation with Royce. She doesn't know what's worse—the fear of facing him again or the knowledge that his people are still out there, hunting her down.

Lucy Chen: (whispering)
"Just get us out of here."

Angela, focused and calm under pressure, nods.

Angela Lopez:
"We're almost there, Lucy. Just a little longer."

The sound of sirens grows louder in the distance. Backup is close, but the men are closing in faster than Lucy expected. Suddenly, one of the SUVs lurches forward, its driver trying to force them off the road. Angela swerves just in time, avoiding the impact by inches, and slams the gas pedal to the floor.

They're in full flight mode now, the air thick with tension as Angela races through the streets. Lucy's breath comes in shallow gasps, her pulse pounding in her ears. In the back of her mind, she keeps hearing Royce's voice, a haunting reminder that this won't be the last time her past tries to drag her under.

But just as she starts to think they might lose the SUVs, a loud crash sounds behind them. A police unit, responding to Nyla's call, has arrived, cutting off one of the pursuers. The SUVs hesitate, unsure whether to push forward or retreat. The backup unit provides just enough of a distraction for Angela to take another sharp turn, ducking into a hidden parking garage.

The SUVs, now caught between two police units, eventually turn around and flee into the night. Angela slams the brakes and parks the SUV behind a pillar, the three of them breathing heavily, hands still gripping their weapons. The sound of sirens grows distant as backup clears the area.

Nyla Harper: (exhaling)
"We're clear. For now."

The three of them sit in silence for a moment, the adrenaline fading, leaving only exhaustion and lingering fear. Lucy feels her body still trembling slightly, but she's safe—for now. Angela turns to her, her voice softer than before.

Angela Lopez:
"You're safe, Lucy. We've got you."

Lucy doesn't answer right away. She just nods, her mind still reeling. After everything that's happened, after facing Royce again and now this close call, she can't shake the feeling that something darker is waiting for her in the shadows—something that won't let her go so easily.

Lucy Chen: (quietly)
"Yeah... but I don't know if I'm safe from my past. Not yet."

The weight of her words hangs in the air as they sit in the silence of the parking garage, the city stretching out before them, filled with unknowns. But Lucy knows one thing for sure—she's not facing it alone. Her team is with her, every step of the way.