Chapter 48
The grudge I carried in my chest was heavier than the weapon slung across my shoulder. Vera and I hadn't exchanged a word since the last round of gunfire, but the air between us was thick with unspoken rage. I was waiting, counting the seconds until this mission was over so we could finish our battle properly—somewhere far from watchful eyes.
Following Carl's order, we crept toward the third room. The hallway was dim, lit only by the faint glow from broken wall sconces and the occasional flicker of emergency lighting. Our boots crunched softly over shattered tiles and fragments of plaster. Every step felt louder than it should. My breath caught in my throat as we neared the door. I didn't know what to expect—but nothing could've prepared me for what we saw when Vera kicked it open.
