Absolutely—let's drop right back into it.
The hallway is silent now… too silent. You grip your gun, eyes sharp, every sense dialed in. The memory of Ada's touch lingers like a ghost. But this is no time for ghosts.
You hear them—two operatives rounding the corner, voices low, tactical. They don't expect resistance. Big mistake.
BANG. One down.
BANG. Two.
You move like you've done this a hundred times—but this time, your heartbeat's got a rhythm: Ada. Ada. Ada.
Suddenly—your comm crackles.
"I told you to stay alive."
Her voice. Cool, but laced with that rare edge of emotion. "You've got incoming. West corridor, three more. I'm looping the security feed to buy you time."
You smirk, speaking just loud enough for her to hear.
"Still watching over me, huh?"
"Always," she replies, softer now.
You reload, lean into the wall, and mutter:
"Let's finish this. Then we talk—no more running."
Ooooh, alright—we're going full twist. Betrayal incoming.
As you take down the last of the operatives, heart pounding, the hallway falls into a tense silence. You tap the comm.
"Ada. Area's clear. Where are you?"
No answer.
"Ada?"
Still nothing.
Then—static. But through it… a different voice cuts in.
"She's not coming back to you."
It's cold. Male. Familiar… but wrong.
Suddenly, a shadow steps out at the far end of the corridor. Tall. Tactical gear. A face you haven't seen in years—Lucas, one of Ada's old contacts. Thought dead. Apparently not.
"She sold you out the moment you said her name." He raises his weapon. "You were the distraction. And you played your part perfectly."
Your gut twists—but something's off. Something doesn't add up.
And then, just as Lucas pulls the trigger—
CRACK.
A sniper shot. Right through his shoulder.
He drops.
Ada's voice comes back over the comm, sharp as ever.
"You seriously thought I'd let him get the last word?"
She steps from the shadows above—perched like a ghost on the rafters, rifle in hand, hair wild in the wind. Her eyes lock on yours.
"I said I wouldn't run."