The east district looked quieter than it should have.

That was the first problem. Too quiet. No movement. No noise. Just dim streetlights and shadows that stretched a little too far across the ground.

I stepped out of the car slowly, scanning the area.

“Positions,” I said under my breath.

No hesitation.

They moved. Just like before.

Perimeter.

Watchpoints.

Drivers stayed ready.

No one spoke louder than necessary.

Good.

They were listening.

That helped.

“…you sure this is the place?” someone whispered from behind me.

I nodded once.

“Yeah.”

Even if I wasn’t.

Because it felt right.

That same tightness in my chest.

That same sense of—

This is it.

We didn’t wait long.

After an hour we could hear Engines.

Low and Approaching.

Two vehicles.

Black.

Clean and Deliberate.

I crouched slightly behind the low wall, motioning for the others to stay down.

“Don’t move unless I say,” I murmured.

A pause.

Then—

“…got it.”

The cars stopped, Doors opened.

Footsteps. Measured and Controlled.

Adrian.

I didn’t need to see him to know.

The air shifted again.

That same weight. That same presence.

I exhaled slowly.

Okay.

So far—

Still on track. Then—

Another group stepped forward. Opposite side. Rival. I'm guessing.

Different stance. Different energy. Less controlled. It looks More… performative.

This was a show. Not just a meeting. That wasn’t good. I leaned slightly, adjusting my angle just enough to see without exposing myself.

They exchanged words. Too far to hear clearly. But I didn’t need to. Not yet. I was watching patterns.

Movement. Tension. Looking for—

A sign.

A break.

Something—

Then—

They brought a women out.

My breath caught.

Not because I recognized her.

Not fully.

But because—

I knew.

The way she moved.

The way she was positioned.

Not equal.

Not a partner.

But An offering.

My jaw tightened.

“…could it be her? ,” I whispered.

The words barely left my mouth.

But the weight of them—

Immediate.

This was it. This was the moment.

If I did nothing—

They meet. They talk. The story continues. And eventually—

He dies. My grip tightened against the wall. No. Not happening.

“…stay here,” I muttered.

Someone grabbed my sleeve lightly.

“Doctor—”

“Stay.”

I didn’t look back.

Didn’t wait. I moved Closer and Faster.

Quieter than I expected.

My body didn’t hesitate.

Didn’t question.

It just—

Went.

The shadows helped.

The distance closed.

No one was watching this side.

All eyes were on the exchange.

On her.

On him.

Good.

Better.

I slipped around the edge of a crate, lowering myself just enough to stay out of direct sight.

She was closer now.

Close enough to see the tension in her shoulders.

The way her hands were clenched.

Not willing Nor calm. She looked Scared and afraid.

Of course she was.

“…hey,” I whispered.

She flinched. Hard.

Her head snapped toward me. Eyes wide. Confused. Good. That meant she wasn’t trained for this. Easier.

“Don’t react,” I said quickly. “Just listen.”

Her breathing hitched.

I didn’t give her time to think.

“Walk,” I added. “Slowly. When I say.”

A beat.

Then—

A small nod. Barely there. That was enough. I waited and Watched. Timed it.

The conversation in front of us shifted—voices rising slightly, tension building—

Now.

“Go.”

She moved. Not fast Nor obvious. I guess she knows how to follow direction.

Just enough.

I stepped in closer, guiding her without thinking—hand brushing briefly against her arm to redirect her path—

And—

Of course—

My foot caught on something.

A loose piece of debris.

I stumbled.

Just slightly.

But enough to make a soft noise.

My heart jumped.

I froze and Waited.

But Nothing. No reaction. No heads turned. 

“…great,” I muttered under my breath. “Perfect timing.” I let out a sigh of relief.

She almost let out a laugh. Almost. I don't know how she could find it funny, with these circumstances, but We kept moving. Step by step.

Shadow to shadow.

Until—

Distance. Enough distance.

“Run,” I said quietly.

She didn’t hesitate this time. 

She ran. Gone into the dark.

Out.

Free.

And For exactly three seconds—

Everything stayed calm, I felt victorious.

But Then—

“…where is she?”

The voice cut sharp through the night.

Not Adrian.

The other side with Panic. Immediate.

“Where did she—”

Movement. Fast. Erratic.

Weapons shifting with Accusations—

“You moved her—”

“We did no such—”

And just like that—

The tension snapped with Gunfire. Loud and Violent. Almost Explosive.

“Down!” someone shouted behind me.

Too late. Chaos had already started. I ducked instinctively, heart slamming hard against my ribs as everything around me erupted into motion.

So much for subtle.

“…okay,” I breathed out, crouching low as I glanced toward the center of it all.

Adrian was still there.

Of course he was. Unmoved and Untouched.

But now—

Surrounded by chaos.

And this—

This was the part that wasn’t supposed to happen.

“…great,” I muttered under my breath.

Then pushed myself up.

Because now—

There was no more planning. No more guessing.

Just—

Action.