The air inside the abandoned warehouse was suffocating. The thick scent of oil, rust, and gunpowder clung to the walls, mixing with the tension so heavy it was almost tangible.
Ochieng stood tall, his hands relaxed but his muscles coiled, ready for anything. Naima clung to his arm, her pulse hammering against his skin.
Across from them, Malik leaned against a stack of metal crates, surrounded by armed men. His smirk was confident, almost mocking.
"You're outnumbered," Malik said, his voice dripping with amusement.
Ochieng didn't blink. "Am I?"
The moment the words left his mouth—
The lights went out.
Darkness swallowed everything. A single, sharp click echoed.
Then—
Gunfire.
A deafening burst of shots rang through the warehouse.
Screams followed.
The air cracked with the sharp sound of bullets ricocheting off metal. Shadows moved in the darkness—fast, precise, merciless.
Naima barely had time to react before Ochieng pulled her down, shielding her with his body. His heartbeat was steady, unfazed.
She clenched her fists, her breath short. What the hell is happening?
Then—silence.
A cold, suffocating silence.
Naima's breath hitched. Her fingers dug into Ochieng's sleeve as the emergency lights flickered back on.
Her eyes widened.
Malik's men were on the ground.
Unconscious. Some groaning. Others… not moving at all.
Ochieng stood slowly, brushing dust off his jacket like nothing had happened. His voice was calm.
"Still think I'm outnumbered?"
---
Footsteps echoed in the warehouse.
From the shadows, figures emerged.
Not many. But enough.
Men clad in black, their faces hidden beneath masks. Their presence alone sent a chill down Naima's spine.
Malik's smirk faded. For the first time, he looked afraid.
"You…" His voice was low, hoarse. "You brought them?"
Ochieng nodded. "The people you tried to erase."
Naima swallowed hard. "Who are they?"
Ochieng's gaze darkened.
"The Ghosts."
The words sent a shiver down her spine. She had heard whispers about them—elite, deadly, unstoppable. A group erased from existence, their names lost to history.
Malik clenched his jaw. He took a step back.
His bravado was crumbling.
"You don't know what you're doing, Ochieng."
Ochieng tilted his head. "Then tell me."
Malik hesitated.
Then—he laughed.
A hollow, bitter laugh.
"You really think you're in control? You think you've won?"
Ochieng didn't respond.
Malik's gaze shifted to Naima.
And in that moment, Ochieng knew.
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
---
Malik straightened his jacket, dusting off his sleeves like nothing had happened.
"You want the truth?" he said. "Fine. I'll give it to you."
Ochieng folded his arms. "I'm listening."
Malik smirked. "Not here."
Ochieng frowned.
"Meet me tomorrow. Midnight. The rooftop of Orion Tower." Malik's eyes gleamed. "Come alone."
Naima grabbed Ochieng's arm. "You're not seriously thinking of—"
"I'll be there," Ochieng said.
Naima stared at him, disbelief in her eyes.
Malik grinned. "Good. Because after tomorrow—"
He stepped back into the shadows.
"Your life will never be the same."
---
Midnight.
A storm brewed in the distance, lightning illuminating the towering skyscrapers of the city. The Orion Tower stood tall, its glass windows reflecting the stormy sky.
Ochieng stepped onto the rooftop.
Malik was already there.
Alone.
Or so it seemed.
"Punctual," Malik mused. "I like that."
Ochieng didn't respond. His eyes scanned the rooftop.
There were snipers. Hidden. Waiting.
Malik exhaled. "Relax. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have made it up here."
Ochieng stayed silent.
Malik smirked. "Fine. Let's get to the point."
He reached into his pocket. Pulled out a small black envelope.
He tossed it at Ochieng's feet.
Ochieng didn't move.
Malik's smile widened.
"Inside that envelope is the real reason you've been running in circles. The truth you've been chasing."
Ochieng narrowed his eyes. "And what do you want in return?"
Malik's smirk faded.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"I want out."
Ochieng's expression didn't change. But something shifted in the air.
"You're lying," Ochieng said.
Malik chuckled. "You think I want to die playing this game? You think I enjoy being hunted?" He stepped closer, his voice sharp. "I know what's coming, Ochieng. And if you don't take this deal, you'll be dead before sunrise."
A beat of silence.
Then—
Ochieng bent down. Picked up the envelope.
Opened it.
His eyes flickered over the contents.
And for the first time in a long time—
He felt cold fear sink into his bones.
---