Chapter 17 – Into the Hollow
The night was thick with mist as Adrian and Evelyn stood at the edge of the forest, overlooking the vast expanse before them.
The Hollow.
More than just a building—it was a fortress.
High walls surrounded the estate, patrolled by guards carrying military-grade weapons. Security towers loomed over the perimeter, their floodlights sweeping over the grounds in synchronized patterns. Beyond the walls, a sprawling mansion stood in eerie silence, hiding the darkest secrets of Orion's Circle.
Adrian exhaled, scanning the security layout. His storm-gray eyes flickered with calculation.
"They've increased their defenses." His voice was low, steady. "They know we're coming."
Evelyn gripped her pistol tighter, her gaze locked onto the enemy ahead. "Then we make them regret it."
Adrian turned to her, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the tension in the air. She had changed. She wasn't the same woman who had once lived a safe, quiet life. She had stepped into his world, and she wasn't looking back.
"Stick to the plan," he reminded her. "We get in, find the leader, and end this."
Evelyn nodded, her voice unwavering. "Let's finish what they started."
And with that, they disappeared into the shadows.
---
The Infiltration
Adrian led the way, moving silently through the trees. He had mapped out the guard rotations from the intel they pulled from Reddington's phone. There was a ten-second window between each patrol shift—a small opening, but just enough.
They sprinted across the clearing, pressing their backs against the outer wall. Adrian reached into his pack, pulling out a small EMP device. He placed it against the power box.
A soft click.
Then—darkness.
The security cameras went offline. The floodlights flickered. Inside the estate, the guards' radios buzzed with confusion.
A perfect distraction.
"Go," Adrian whispered.
They scaled the wall, dropping silently into the courtyard. The guards were already reacting to the power outage, radioing in for orders. But they weren't prepared. They didn't see Adrian and Evelyn slip past them, blending into the night.
The mansion doors loomed ahead.
Adrian picked the lock in seconds. The door swung open with a whisper.
They were in.
---
A Silent Descent
The hallway was dimly lit, the air thick with tension. Adrian moved first, his pistol drawn, his senses razor-sharp. Evelyn followed, her heart pounding.
The Hollow wasn't just a hideout—it was the beating heart of Orion's Circle. Somewhere inside, the real mastermind was waiting.
Every step was measured. Every breath controlled.
Then—voices.
Adrian held up a fist, signaling Evelyn to stop.
Two guards. Just ahead.
Evelyn's fingers tightened on her weapon. She could feel the energy in Adrian, the way his body tensed, preparing to strike.
The first guard barely had time to react before Adrian moved—swift, precise.
A single knife to the throat. Silent. Deadly.
The second guard turned—Evelyn fired. A silenced shot. One bullet. He dropped.
They dragged the bodies into the shadows. No alarms. No signs of disturbance.
So far, so good.
But Adrian's gut twisted.
Something wasn't right.
This was too easy.
---
The Truth Inside
They moved deeper into the mansion, navigating its labyrinth of halls.
Then—they reached the main corridor.
And there, at the end of the hall, was a steel door.
Adrian's jaw clenched.
This was it.
Evelyn swallowed, steadying her breath. "You ready?"
Adrian's grip tightened around his gun. His storm-gray eyes were cold, unreadable.
"No," he admitted. "But that's never stopped me before."
She gave a small, determined smile. "Then let's go."
Adrian reached for the door.
And as he turned the handle—
The lights exploded back on.
A voice crackled over the intercom. Deep. Amused. Expecting them.
"Welcome home, Hale."
Adrian's blood ran cold.
The real mastermind knew they were coming.
And now—they were trapped inside The Hollow.