SILICON AND SILK

Hidden truth

The estate loomed in the distance, a dark silhouette against the moonlit sky. The gravel crunched under the tires as Victor pulled the car to a stop behind a thicket of bushes, shielding them from view. He turned off the engine, the silence settling around them, broken only by the distant rustle of the wind through the branches.

Lucas scanned the area, his eyes narrowed as he studied the old building. It was bigger than he had expected, the stone walls covered in ivy, the windows dark and uninviting. He glanced at Amelia, who sat beside him, her eyes focused on the estate, her expression determined.

Victor turned in his seat, his eyes meeting Lucas's.

- Alright, here's the deal. We need to move quickly. If they know about this place, they could be here at any moment. We get in, we find the vault, and we get out. No heroics, no unnecessary risks - he said, his voice filled with urgency.

Lucas nodded, his jaw set in determination.

- Got it. We stick to the plan - he said.

Marcus, who had been quiet for most of the ride, spoke up, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Victor.

- And if we run into trouble? What then? - he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

Victor sighed, his gaze shifting to Marcus.

- We deal with it. We're not here to fight, but if it comes to it, we protect ourselves. This isn't just about us anymore. If we can get what's in that vault, we can end this - he said.

Travis shifted nervously in his seat, his eyes darting between the others.

- I don't know if I can do this. I mean, what if they're already in there? What if we're walking into a trap? - he asked, his voice trembling.

Amelia turned to him, her eyes filled with empathy.

- Travis, I know you're scared. We all are. But we have to do this. If we don't, they'll keep coming after us, and they'll never stop. We have to take control, and this is our chance - she said, her voice steady.

Lucas reached over, placing a reassuring hand on Travis's shoulder.

- We're in this together, Travis. We won't let anything happen to you. Just stay close, and we'll get through this - he said, his voice filled with conviction.

Victor opened the door, stepping out of the car, his eyes scanning the area as he motioned for the others to follow. They moved quickly, staying low as they approached the estate, the shadows of the trees providing cover as they made their way to the side entrance.

Elena, who had been leading the way, paused at the door, her hand resting on the handle as she turned to face the group.

- Listen, once we're inside, we need to be quiet. The layout is complicated, and we don't know where the vault is. We stick together, we search every room, and we don't split up. Got it? - she said, her voice commanding.

Lucas nodded, his eyes meeting hers.

- Got it. Lead the way - he said.

Elena pushed the door open, the hinges creaking softly as they stepped inside. The air was cool, the scent of dust and mildew filling their nostrils as they moved into the dark hallway. The floorboards creaked under their weight, the sound echoing through the empty space.

Amelia moved close to Lucas, her eyes scanning the shadows, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the fear creeping in, but she forced herself to stay focused. They had come too far to back down now.

Victor led them through the hallway, his flashlight cutting through the darkness, illuminating the old, decaying walls. They passed a series of closed doors, each one more ominous than the last, the silence pressing in around them.