The tunnel was narrow. Concrete walls. Bare light bulbs flickering overhead. Every echo felt amplified.
Adrian led the way, gun drawn, eyes sharp. I stayed close, heart hammering.
"Almost there," he whispered, voice low.
I nodded, gripping my own gun tighter. Every step forward made me feel exposed, vulnerable.
Then a sound.
A click. Not behind us. Not in front. Underfoot.
I froze.
Adrian stopped immediately. Hand on my shoulder. "Careful," he muttered.
The floor panel beneath us tilted slightly. A trap.
Before I could react, the tunnel shook violently. Explosions—small but controlled—rattled the walls. Concrete dust fell, stinging my eyes.
Adrian pushed me behind a concrete pillar. Bullets ricocheted. Sparks flew.
"They knew exactly where we were," he hissed.
I swallowed hard. "Why didn't you see this coming?"
He didn't answer. Just scanned the walls, checking every corner.
A shadow moved in the flickering light. Another.
And then more of them. Armed. Professional. Masked.
I realized something terrifying. The villain didn't just want leverage. He wanted us dead.
Adrian whispered sharply, "We split. You go left. I'll cover right. Move fast."
My stomach twisted. Split? Alone? No. I didn't hesitate.
I ran. Heart in my throat. Bullets whizzed past. Sparks and dust everywhere.
A hand grabbed mine suddenly. Not Adrian. Someone else. A masked figure.
I yanked away, pulling my gun. Shot fired missed. Screams echoed.
I saw Adrian in the chaos, covering, firing, protecting. He looked at me once. A flash of something unspoken in his eyes. Trust me.
I dove into a side passage. Heart pounding. Every step could be the last.
Then, finally another exit. Light. Freedom? Maybe. But the sounds of pursuit followed me.
I rounded a corner… and froze.
A tall figure blocked the exit. Calm. Controlled.
"You're not leaving that easily," he said.