The dim warehouse air felt heavier as Evelyn scanned the scattered papers on the floor. Dr. Marcus Vance had just given them a name—one she hadn't seen in years. One that shouldn't be here.
Her hands trembled slightly as she traced the ink on the document. It was old but unmistakably real.
Theo's voice was low, controlled, but edged with something dark. "Explain this."
Vance let out a slow breath, rubbing a hand over his tired face. "You already know part of it. The experiments, the cover-ups. But what you don't know is how deep this goes."
Evelyn forced herself to look at him. "How deep?"
Vance hesitated. Then he turned the page.
Another name. Another file.
Evelyn's breath hitched. "No."
Theo was silent beside her, but she felt the tension radiating from him. He knew. He had read it too.
The document detailed classified research, names of test subjects, dates stretching back nearly two decades. And in the middle of it all—
Her father's name.
"You're lying," Evelyn whispered, stepping back as if the papers burned her. "He had nothing to do with this."
Vance's expression softened, but there was no doubt in his voice. "I wish I were."
Theo's voice was quiet but firm. "Tell us everything. Now."
Vance nodded, his fingers tightening around the edges of a crumpled paper. "Years ago, there was a project—one that should never have existed. The goal was control. Of people, of minds, of entire lives. Your father, Evelyn, he wasn't just involved. He was one of the key figures."
Evelyn felt the air leave her lungs. Her father. The man who raised her, the man she had spent years mourning—
He had been part of this?
She shook her head, trying to make sense of it. "He wasn't that kind of man. He wouldn't hurt people."
Vance sighed. "Maybe not at first. Maybe he believed he was doing the right thing. But intent doesn't erase consequences."
Theo's eyes darkened. "And where does this leave us now?"
Vance hesitated before answering. "In danger."
The word barely left his lips before a sound echoed through the warehouse.
A metallic clank.
A footstep.
Then another.
Theo moved first, grabbing Evelyn and shoving her behind a stack of crates. His gun was in his hand within seconds.
Vance's face drained of color. "They found us."
Evelyn barely had time to react before gunfire ripped through the silence.
---
A Fight in the Dark
The first shot shattered the overhead lights, plunging the warehouse into flickering darkness.
Theo cursed under his breath. "Move!"
Evelyn didn't need to be told twice. She ducked low, pressing herself against the crates as bullets rained down. The mercenaries had arrived faster than they expected.
Theo fired back, his movements precise and controlled. Every shot counted. But they were outnumbered.
Vance crawled behind a rusted metal beam, clutching his documents. His breath was uneven. "We can't stay here!"
Evelyn gritted her teeth. She knew that. But escape wasn't exactly an option when they were pinned down.
Theo glanced at her, his voice sharp. "Can you cover me?"
Evelyn nodded without hesitation. "Go."
She grabbed the knife at her belt and moved swiftly, using the shadows as cover. The mercenaries were well-trained, but she had the element of surprise.
A figure stepped around the corner. She struck fast.
Her knife sliced across his arm, making him stumble back with a pained grunt. Before he could recover, she twisted, driving the hilt against his temple. He crumpled to the ground.
One down.
But there were more.
Theo took advantage of the distraction, darting toward the exit with Vance close behind. Evelyn followed, her heart pounding as more bullets whizzed past them.
She could hear the mercenaries shouting orders. They weren't just here to kill. They were here to retrieve Vance.
"We have to lose them," Theo said, pushing open a side door that led into an alley. "Now."
Evelyn knew what that meant. They had to split up.
She hesitated, glancing at him. "You sure?"
Theo's jaw clenched. "Just don't get yourself killed."
Evelyn smirked despite the chaos. "Same to you."
Then she turned and ran.
---
Hunted
The city streets were still half-empty, dawn barely creeping over the horizon. Evelyn moved quickly, weaving through alleyways, staying low. The mercenaries wouldn't stop. Not until they had what they wanted.
Which meant she had to give them something else to chase.
She heard footsteps behind her. Fast. Gaining.
A sharp turn. A low fence. She vaulted over it, her landing precise despite the burning in her muscles.
The man behind her wasn't as lucky. His foot caught on the edge, and he hit the ground hard.
Evelyn didn't stop to check if he got back up. She kept moving.
Then she heard the voice in her earpiece—Theo's voice. "Status?"
"Alive," she answered. "Mostly."
He exhaled, a hint of relief in his tone. "Keep going. We meet at the old train station."
Evelyn didn't argue. She adjusted her course, slipping into a narrow side street. The train station was a mile away. If she could reach it before—
A shadow moved ahead of her.
Evelyn skidded to a halt just as a figure stepped out from the darkness.
She recognized him instantly.
Not a mercenary. Not a stranger.
Someone from her past.
Someone she hadn't seen in years.
His voice was calm, almost amused. "Evelyn Carter. It's been a while."
Her grip tightened on her knife. "You."
He smiled. "Miss me?"
---
The Past Resurfaces
The world around them faded as Evelyn stared at the man in front of her.
He looked almost the same. A little older, a little sharper, but his eyes—those damn eyes—were just as piercing as she remembered.
"Didn't think I'd see you again," he said, tilting his head. "Not after what happened."
Evelyn's pulse hammered in her ears. "What do you want?"
He chuckled. "Still straight to the point, huh? No 'how have you been?' No 'why are you here?'"
"I don't need to ask," she said, voice cold. "You're working for them."
He sighed, as if disappointed. "It's not that simple."
Evelyn took a slow step back, calculating her next move. "It never is."
He watched her carefully. "You're not going to like what's coming next, Evelyn."
She smirked. "I never do."
Then she moved.
Fast.
She aimed low, sweeping her leg toward his, but he anticipated it, stepping back smoothly.
She didn't hesitate, shifting her weight and lunging again. He blocked her strike, grabbing her wrist.
For a moment, they stood there, locked in a battle of strength and will.
Then he leaned in, voice low. "This isn't your fight anymore. Walk away."
Evelyn's eyes burned. "Too late."
He let out a slow breath. Then, with almost reluctant force, he shoved her back.
"I warned you."
Before she could react, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Evelyn exhaled sharply, steadying herself.
Her past had just caught up to her.
And she had a feeling it wasn't done with her yet.
---
End of Chapter 12