The early morning air was crisp, carrying a weight of anticipation as Evelyn and Theo made their way toward the facility. The streets were empty, the city still caught in the lull before dawn.
Vance had given them the necessary coordinates, and now, as they approached the abandoned alley behind the complex, the reality of what they were about to do settled in.
Theo crouched near the rusted metal grate that covered the old underground passage. He tested the edges, then looked up at Evelyn. "This thing hasn't been opened in years."
Evelyn pulled a crowbar from her backpack. "Then let's change that."
With a firm grip, she wedged the tool between the bars, using her weight to pry it open. The metal groaned in protest, but after a few minutes, the cover finally gave way, revealing a dark, narrow tunnel beneath.
Theo glanced at her. "Last chance to back out."
Evelyn smirked. "Like that's ever an option."
With a resigned shake of his head, Theo slipped into the tunnel first, lowering himself carefully. Evelyn followed, landing lightly on the cold concrete below.
The passage was tight, the air thick with dust and decay. They moved cautiously, their flashlights casting long shadows along the walls.
Theo checked the map Vance had given them. "The entrance to the lower labs should be up ahead."
Evelyn stayed close behind, her senses sharp. Every step echoed slightly, reminding her that even though they were underground, they weren't alone.
---
A Step Too Close
The tunnel opened up to a larger corridor, leading toward a steel door covered in warning signs. Theo approached the control panel, pulling out the flash drive Vance had given him. He plugged it in, his fingers moving swiftly over the keypad.
Evelyn kept watch, her pulse steady but alert. The silence was unsettling, and something about it felt… wrong.
Just as the door's lock released with a soft click, a faint sound echoed from behind them. Footsteps.
Evelyn barely had time to react before Theo grabbed her arm and pulled her inside, shutting the door silently behind them.
They pressed against the wall, listening.
The footsteps grew louder, pausing just outside.
Evelyn held her breath. If they were caught now, there would be no easy escape.
The footsteps lingered—then, after what felt like an eternity, they receded.
Theo exhaled slowly. "Too close."
Evelyn nodded, her heart still pounding. "We need to move fast."
---
Inside the Facility
The lab was colder than she expected, the sterile white walls a stark contrast to the underground tunnels. Rows of computers lined the room, their screens displaying encrypted files.
Theo immediately got to work, plugging in Vance's drive. "This will take a few minutes."
Evelyn scanned the room, her fingers hovering near the knife strapped to her thigh. "Hurry."
The seconds felt like hours as the data transferred. Theo's jaw was tight with concentration, his hands steady as he navigated through firewalls and locked files.
Then—
A sharp beep.
Theo cursed under his breath. "They know we're here."
Evelyn didn't hesitate. She grabbed his arm. "We have to go. Now."
Theo yanked the drive out and shoved it into his pocket. Just as they turned to escape, the alarms blared, red warning lights flashing across the lab.
And then—
The door burst open.
Armed guards flooded the room.
"Freeze!" one of them barked, weapons trained on them.
Evelyn's grip tightened on her knife. "Well," she muttered, "so much for subtle."
Theo met her gaze. "Got a plan?"
Evelyn smirked. "Yeah. Try not to get shot."
And with that, they moved.
---
Fight and Flight
Evelyn was the first to strike. She moved like a shadow, dodging the first guard's swing and slamming her knee into his ribs. He crumpled, but another took his place immediately.
Theo grabbed a nearby chair, using it as a shield before disarming one of the men. With precise efficiency, he twisted the gun out of the guard's grip, knocking him unconscious with a sharp blow.
The room was chaos—shouts, the clang of metal, the dull thud of bodies hitting the floor.
Evelyn ducked under a swinging baton, using the momentum to flip her attacker over. She barely had time to recover before she felt someone grab her from behind.
Theo saw it instantly. His eyes flashed with something dangerous as he aimed and fired.
The shot echoed, and the grip on Evelyn loosened. She spun around, kicking the guard away. "Nice shot."
Theo smirked. "Told you to stay close."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, grabbing his wrist as more guards stormed in. "Time to go."
They sprinted down the hall, weaving through the maze of corridors. Alarms screamed around them, but they didn't stop.
Finally, they reached a service exit. Theo forced it open, and they stumbled into the night air.
The facility loomed behind them, its alarms still blaring. But they didn't look back.
They had what they came for.
Now, they just had to survive long enough to use it.
---
A Moment in the Aftermath
They didn't stop running until they were several blocks away, hidden in the shadows of an abandoned building. Evelyn leaned against the wall, catching her breath.
Theo watched her, his gaze scanning for injuries. "You okay?"
She nodded. "You?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. The gesture was brief but deliberate.
Evelyn blinked. "What was that?"
Theo shrugged. "Making sure you weren't bleeding."
Evelyn smirked. "That's a terrible excuse."
Theo didn't deny it. He just exhaled, his expression softening. "You scared me back there."
Evelyn tilted her head. "You scared me too."
For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them.
Then Theo pulled back slightly, his hand lingering near hers. "We should get back to Vance."
Evelyn nodded, but as they started walking, she couldn't shake the warmth that lingered from his touch.
Maybe, just maybe, things between them were beginning to shift.
And that thought was even more dangerous than anything they had just escaped.
---
End of Chapter 14