The footsteps grow louder, each one a heavy thud that sends a ripple of dread through my chest. I turn, heart racing, but the hallway behind us is empty. The door slams shut, locking us in. Panic surges as I realize we're trapped.
Vance curses under his breath, his hand instinctively reaching for his phone. Elias steps forward, his expression hardening. "Stay close," he murmurs, his voice low but steady.
I nod, though my mind is a whirlwind of questions. Who's following us? What do they want? And why does it feel like we're being pulled into something much bigger than ourselves?
Before I can voice my concerns, the door rattles violently. Someone—or something—is trying to get in.
Elias motions for silence, his eyes scanning the room for an escape. "We need to move. Now."
Vance leads the way, his movements swift and purposeful. We navigate through a maze of corridors, the sound of our footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. The building feels like a labyrinth, each turn leading us deeper into its heart.
As we round a corner, we come face-to-face with a group of men. Their expressions are cold, calculating. One of them steps forward, his gaze locking onto mine.
"Amara," he says, his voice smooth, almost soothing. "We've been looking for you."
My blood runs cold. How do they know my name? And why do they want me?
Elias steps in front of me, his posture protective. "Stay back," he warns, his voice low but commanding.
The man smiles, a thin, unsettling grin. "You can't hide from us forever."
Before I can respond, Vance pulls me away, urging me to keep moving. We push forward, adrenaline fueling our every step.
We finally reach a door marked "Exit." Vance checks the hallway before ushering us through. Outside, the cool night air hits my face, grounding me for a moment.
But the danger isn't over. The men are still out there, and they're not going to stop until they find me.
"We need to get to the safe house," Elias says, his voice urgent. "It's the only place they'll never think to look."
I nod, my mind racing. Safe house. Who are these people? And why am I at the center of this?
As we make our way through the dark streets, I can't shake the feeling that I'm being watched. Every shadow seems to move, every rustle of leaves feels like a threat.
We reach a secluded area, a small, nondescript building hidden away from prying eyes. Vance knocks twice, a rhythmic pattern. The door opens, revealing a woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor.
"You're late," she says, stepping aside to let us in.
Inside, the atmosphere is tense. People move quietly, speaking in hushed tones. It's a far cry from the chaos we've just escaped.
Elias turns to me, his expression serious. "You're safe here. For now."
But I know better. Safe is a relative term. And the storm is far from over.