The Shadow Of Identity Behind The Mirror Of Reality

CHAPTER #13

Hello guys!!! Its been so long I know but here you go✨️🫶

(ROWENS POV)

I leaned against the car, cradling my coffee cup in my hands as I waited for Keira. The morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over the quiet neighborhood, filling the air with an eerie sense of calm. My teammates, Henry, Lia, and Daniel chatted softly in the backseat, their hushed tones a gentle hum in the background, but I tuned them out, lost in my thoughts.

Keira and I hadn't exactly parted on good terms. Our last conversation had ended in a stalemate, with her refusing to commit to the mission. I had my doubts about her reliability, and a nagging sense of frustration had been building up inside me. But I needed her skills, and I was willing to put our differences aside to get the job done.

As I checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time, the front door of Keira's house swung open, and my gaze locked onto her.

Keira wore a black leather jacket, her dark hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail that accentuated her sharp features. She exuded confidence and a hint of danger. and her eyes seemed to gleam with a fierce inner light as she strode toward me, eating up the distance.

"Ready?" she asked, her voice husky and confident, as she reached the car.

I nodded, still trying to process the sudden shift in my perception of her. "Yeah. Let's go."

I pushed the feeling aside as I started the car's engine. As I pulled away from the curb, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in for a wild ride, one that would test my skills, my patience, and my resolve.

I guided the car through the winding streets, the GPS leading us to the nondescript building that housed our workshop. Keira sat silently beside me, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. Others chatted quietly in the backseat, their excitement building as we drew closer to our destination.

As we pulled up to the building, I killed the engine and stepped out of the car. The others followed, their eyes scanning the unassuming facade. I led them to a small door hidden behind a dumpster, and pressed my hand against the biometric scanner.

The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a stairway that plunged into darkness. "Welcome to our workshop," I said, gesturing for the others to precede me.

As we descended the stairs, the air grew thick. The walls were lined with racks of computer equipment, and the floor was cluttered with workbenches and half-disassembled gadgets.

"Whoa, this is some serious tech," Henry breathed, his eyes wide with wonder. "What's all this stuff?"

"Mostly prototypes and experimental gear," I replied, smiling proudly. "We're always pushing the boundaries of what's possible."

Lia wandered over to a workbench, her fingers trailing over the various components laid out on it. "This looks like a portable hacking gadget . Can I take a closer look?"

"Help yourself," I said, nodding. "Just be careful not to touch anything sensitive.

Keira's gaze met mine, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of astonishment, but it was quickly extinguished, replaced by her usual stoic expression.

"Alright, let's get down to business," I said, clapping my hands together. "We've got a lot of work to do before we're ready to take on our mission.”

I stood in the middle of the room, surveying the team as we gathered to discuss our plan of action.

I turned to Lia. "Lia, I need you to review the CCTV footage from the past week. Look for anything suspicious, no matter how small it may seem. Henry you're doing this with her”. He nodded.
Lia's eyes are already fixed on her laptop screen. "On it, Rowen."