The maintenance door opened slowly.
Cold air rushed through the underground tunnel instantly, sharp against skin still coated in heat, dust, and sweat from the collapsing warehouse behind them. The outside night looked almost unreal after hours trapped underground.
Dark sky.
Rain beginning to fall lightly.
Freedom.
Except armed men stood between them and it.
The moment the opening widened enough, Noah immediately assessed the surface.
Aiden followed his gaze.
And cursed quietly.
Victor's cleanup crew had spread across the extraction zone strategically. Black vehicles blocked portions of the loading yard while armed men patrolled near the perimeter fences and shipping containers.
Not random positioning.
Professional.
Prepared.
One man stood near the center vehicle speaking into a radio while others scanned the area alertly.
They were waiting.
Matthew moved beside Noah. "Fifteen confirmed."
"Seventeen," Leon corrected quietly.
Aiden blinked. "How do you even see that?"
