The night air was thick with anticipation as Ochieng's car glided through the darkened streets of the city. The message had been clear—Midnight. Warehouse 17. But the mystery behind it was what intrigued him most. Was it a trap? A warning? Or perhaps… an unexpected ally?
Rolex drove in silence, his grip firm on the wheel. Linet sat beside him, her fingers idly tracing the edge of a blade she always kept concealed. Gideon was in the back, monitoring their route, making sure they weren't being followed.
"Who do you think sent the message?" Gideon finally asked.
Ochieng's gaze remained on the dimly lit road ahead. "If they wanted me dead, they would've sent bullets, not words."
Linet smirked. "Unless they want you to walk into your own grave."
The car slowed as they approached the abandoned warehouse district. Crumbling brick walls and shattered windows stood like remnants of a forgotten past. Warehouse 17 loomed ahead, its rusted doors slightly ajar, as if inviting them in.
Ochieng stepped out first, his every sense on high alert. The others followed, fanning out, weapons discreetly at the ready.
A single bulb flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows across the cracked concrete floor. And then—a voice.
"You came."
From the darkness, a figure emerged. Slender, poised, wrapped in a sleek black coat. The faint glow of the city lights caught on her features, and Ochieng's breath hitched slightly.
Seline.
His ex. The woman who had once broken him. The woman who had chosen status and wealth over love.
Linet tensed, already reaching for her weapon, but Ochieng lifted a hand to stop her.
"What do you want?" His voice was cold.
Seline took a step closer, her eyes searching his, as if looking for something familiar. "I had to see you."
Ochieng's jaw tightened. "You made your choice a long time ago."
"And it was a mistake."
Silence. Heavy, suffocating.
Gideon and Rolex exchanged glances, knowing that whatever happened next would alter the course of everything.
Seline's voice dropped lower. "Ochieng, you don't understand. They're coming for you. The Council… Brian… all of them. And they won't stop until you're gone."
Ochieng studied her carefully. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I know what they're planning. And because… I still care."
A sharp laugh escaped Linet. "You expect us to believe that? After everything?"
Seline's gaze never left Ochieng. "Believe whatever you want. But if you don't act fast, you'll be dead before the sun rises."
For the first time in a long while, Ochieng felt something stir inside him.
Not fear. Not doubt.
War.