******
The vault door screamed as it gave way.
"Thirty seconds," I said, fingers flying across the keypad as the last lock disengaged. "Cops are already rerouting traffic."
"I know," she replied calmly, scooping cash into her bag like this was a grocery run. "You worry too much, Specter."
Jade always sounded like that—unbothered, precise. Dangerous in the quiet way.
Alarms wailed overhead, red lights bathing the bank in a frantic glow. Glass shattered somewhere outside. Tires screeched.
They're early.
"Jade," I warned, "we're compromised."
She glanced at me, emerald eyes sharp beneath her mask. Then she smiled.
That smile.
"Relax," she said. "I've got everything under control."
We burst through the side exit—and froze.
Police cruisers boxed us in from every direction. Armed officers flooded the street, rifles raised, commands overlapping into white noise.
"DROP YOUR WEAPONS!"
"HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!"
I calculated fast. Too fast. No exits. No blind spots. No winning moves.
Impossible.
My grip tightened on my weapon. Jade stepped closer to me, her shoulder brushing mine.
"Listen to me," she said quietly, so only I could hear. "You don't belong here anymore."
"What are you talking about?" I hissed. "We fight our way out."
She shook her head. "No. You live."
Her hand pressed something into my palm—a drive. Cold. Heavy with meaning.
"Live clean," she continued. "No more shadows. No more blood."
"Jade—"
"And protect your new girl," she added.
I stared at her. "What new girl?"
She didn't answer.
She just smiled again.
The same smile Kenzie had worn in the park. The smile people wear when they've already decided to sacrifice themselves.
Before I could grab her, Jade shoved me backward—hard.
She stepped forward alone, ripping off her mask and throwing her weapon to the ground.
"I surrender!" she shouted. "I'm unarmed!"
Officers swarmed her instantly.
In the chaos, smoke bloomed to my left. A flash grenade detonated—hers, not mine.
She had planned this.
"GO!" she screamed without looking back.
I ran.
I didn't look over my shoulder. I didn't stop. I vanished into the city while sirens swallowed her name.
******
I jolted awake, lungs burning.
"Jade!"
The name tore out of me before I could stop it.
I sat upright on the couch, sweat soaking through my shirt, the city's early light creeping through the window. My heart hammered like I was still running—still escaping.
Still leaving someone behind.
The briefcase sat where I'd left it.
Unopened.
Waiting, my phone ringing, 'TRAD'.