The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting a pale glow over the safehouse. Inside, the atmosphere was tense and quiet. Michael had fallen asleep again, his fever down but his body still weak. Heaven sat beside him, brushing her fingers gently through his hair, humming softly to soothe him.
In another part of the house, Dylan stood by the large window in the study, watching the trees sway in the night breeze. He hadn't spoken much since they arrived—just gave out orders, tightened security, and stayed deep in thought.
Jayden entered silently, closing the door behind him.
"He's awake?" Dylan asked without turning.
"Yeah," Jayden nodded. "He's stable now."
A beat of silence passed before Dylan spoke again, his voice low. "Do you remember the last time we were this cornered?"
Jayden gave a small smile. "Yeah. You had a broken arm, I had a bullet in my leg, and we were hiding in a sewer tunnel."
Dylan chuckled under his breath, but it quickly faded. "And still… we made it out."
Jayden moved closer. "We always do."
Dylan finally turned, his face hard. "But this time, Richard's not just trying to dethrone me—he wants to destroy me. He's crossed a line, and I won't let it go."
Jayden nodded. "Then let's strike first."
---
Meanwhile – Heaven's Memories
Heaven couldn't sleep. Her eyes drifted to Michael's peaceful face, and she felt a twinge of guilt. He was so young—too young to be caught in this nightmare.
She stepped outside for air, hugging her arms against the night chill.
The wind whispered through the trees, and she looked up at the stars.
For the first time, she allowed herself to wonder—what if they never got out of this?
She heard footsteps behind her and turned, startled.
It was Dylan.
"You okay?" he asked.
She nodded. "Just needed to breathe."
Dylan joined her, both of them silent for a moment. Then he spoke.
"I wasn't always like this, you know," he said quietly. "Before… before all this madness, there was someone."
Heaven glanced at him, surprised. "Someone?"
"Samantha," he said, his voice far away. "She was light. Peace. She made me believe I could escape the darkness. But I couldn't save her."
He didn't say how she died, and Heaven didn't ask. The pain in his voice said enough.
"She used to tell me," he continued, "that clinging to revenge would destroy me. That I should let go, move forward. But I didn't listen."
He turned to her, his eyes searching hers. "Maybe… maybe she was right."
Heaven's heart clenched at the vulnerability in his expression.
"She sounds like she was kind," she whispered.
"She was everything I'm not."
Silence settled between them again, heavy and lingering. Until Dylan finally said, "Go get some rest. Tomorrow, everything changes."
---
At Richard's Hideout
Far from the safehouse, Richard stood in a room lined with monitors. Surveillance, maps, red pins—he was tracking every lead.
"Tell me you have something," he said sharply to Oliver.
"We intercepted a call. They're near the old forest region. He's hiding there."
Richard smirked. "Perfect."
He turned to a younger man beside him—one of his most lethal operatives.
"Prepare the men. Tonight, we strike back."