In the city of Elmira-where cobbled streets met sleek storefronts and cafés buzzed with student chatter-Dr. Joshua Bennett lived a life of quiet order. At just twenty-five, freshly graduated from medical school, he had returned to Almira University...
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As Felix guided Aina through the library's glass doors into the cool night air, she struggled to process everything she'd just learned. Her mind felt like a kaleidoscope—fragments of two lives colliding, separating, and reforming with each step. Aina Liu Virtanen. The name still felt foreign on her tongue, yet somewhere deep inside, a resonance had begun.
"We need to get you somewhere safe," Felix said, his voice low and urgent. "I have a car parked."
"Well, this is certainly an interesting development."
The voice came from the shadows to their left. A tall figure stepped into the pool of light cast by the library's exterior lamps. Marcus Chen, impeccably dressed as always, smiled at them with cold precision.
"Miss Virtanen. Or are you still going by Yilmaz? I must say, this game of hide and seek has been quite tiresome." He adjusted his cufflinks with practiced nonchalance. "Professor Nordstrom will be relieved to know you've been found."
Felix moved instantly, positioning himself between Aina and Marcus. "She's not going anywhere with you."
"I believe that's her decision to make," Marcus replied, his smile never reaching his eyes. "Though I doubt she's in any condition to make rational choices after whatever fiction you've been feeding her."
Aina found her voice. "It's not fiction. I remember fragments... my father... the lab..." Each word felt like stepping onto uncertain ground, but she pressed on. "You work for Nordstrom. You helped him erase my memories."
Marcus's expression hardened. "I help maintain order, Miss Virtanen. Your father's research was never meant to be public. Some knowledge is too dangerous for the masses."
"Knowledge like how to weaponize memory manipulation?" Felix challenged, his body tense, ready to move.
The standoff was interrupted by quick footsteps approaching from the side of the building. A young Korean man Aina didn't recognize emerged from the shadows, his gaze quickly assessing the situation.
"Felix, we need to go. Now." The newcomer's eyes never left Marcus as he spoke.
"Ah, Mr. Park," Marcus said smoothly. "Another loose end from Helsinki. How convenient."
"Sooho," Felix acknowledged with a slight nod. "Perfect timing."
What happened next unfolded with dizzying speed. Marcus reached inside his jacket, but Sooho was faster. He launched himself forward, a blur of precise movement. Marcus twisted away, but not before Sooho's foot connected with his wrist, sending something metallic skittering across the pavement.
Felix grabbed Aina's arm. "Run!"
But Marcus recovered quickly. With surprising agility, he sidestepped Sooho's next attack and reached for Aina. His fingers clamped around her wrist with bruising force.
