The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, sharper and more determined than before. They weren't just chasing them now; they were closing in, cornering them. Mia's heart thudded wildly as she and Ethan sprinted through the darkened corridors, the black box still clutched tightly in her hands. She could hear the faintest hum of voices, the unmistakable threat of the Syndicate's enforcers gathering, their plan to capture or eliminate them.
"We're running out of time," Ethan muttered, his voice tight with the strain of the pursuit. He glanced back, but Mia could barely make out the faint shadows in the darkness. The air smelled metallic, like blood and sweat, and it stung her lungs.
Suddenly, a loud crash rang out behind them—a door bursting open, followed by a shout. The Syndicate wasn't just using stealth anymore; they were coming after them with full force. They had no intention of letting them escape with the box.
"Through here," Ethan growled, pulling Mia toward a side hallway that branched off from the main path. Mia didn't question him. She trusted him implicitly now, more than she ever had. There was no time for hesitation. She just followed, her feet pounding against the cold concrete, her thoughts scattered, focused only on staying alive and getting away from whatever was pursuing them.
As they reached the end of the hallway, they came to a metal door—a dead end. Mia's heart sank, but Ethan was already moving, his hand tugging at the heavy handle. Locked. Of course, it was locked.
Before she could react, he pulled something from his belt—a small but powerful tool, designed to cut through locks. With a few quick turns, the door popped open with an agonizing creak.
But just as they were about to slip through, the sound of approaching footsteps became deafening, too close for comfort.
"Mia, go!" Ethan ordered, pushing her through the door. "I'll hold them off."
She hesitated for a moment, feeling the pull to stay, to fight with him. But his eyes were desperate—he knew what was at stake.
"Don't stop!" he shouted, and with that, the door slammed shut behind her.
Mia found herself in a dark, confined room—more of a maintenance area, with metal shelves stacked high with old equipment. The dim light above flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows that seemed to follow her every move. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she looked around for an exit, but there was nothing. Just the thick, oppressive silence.
For a moment, she allowed herself to catch her breath, but only for a second. Ethan was still out there— facing whatever was hunting them. And she couldn't afford to let him down.
Suddenly, a voice pierced the silence, a voice she recognized all too well.
"I know you're in there, Mia."
Her blood ran cold. It was Veronica. But why was she here? Wasn't she supposed to be slowing them down, giving Ethan and Mia a chance to escape?
Mia pressed herself back against the wall, trying to stay out of sight, holding her breath. The footsteps drew closer, slow and deliberate. Veronica's voice was quieter now, her tone tinged with something Mia couldn't quite place. It wasn't just danger—it was something darker, more personal.