The muffled sound of boots against the floor echoed through the hospital, but this time it wasn’t doctors or nurses rushing around. It was Richard’s men. They had surrounded the building, blocking all exits and moving slowly. The tension was almost tangible, and the air seemed heavier with each passing minute.
Marcelo stood by the window, watching the activity outside. He gritted his teeth as he saw the men spreading out along the perimeter. “They know we’re here,” he said, his voice low but full of determination.
“How much time do we have before they attack?” I asked, my stomach churning.
“Not much,” Evelyn replied, her eyes glued to her laptop. “They’re positioning themselves. They’re waiting for something... or someone.”
My eyes instinctively turned to Clara, who was sitting on the bed, still visibly weak but insisting on staying alert. Her expression was hard, but the traces of exhaustion were impossible to miss.
“You need to rest,” I murmured, kneeling beside her.
“I can’t,” Clara retorted, her voice firm but low. “They’re here for me. If anything happens, I want to be ready.”
“And what do you plan to do?” My voice broke slightly, and tears threatened to spill. “You can barely stand.”
“Then help me,” she said, gripping my hand tightly. “I won’t lie down while all of you risk your lives for me.”
Nina entered the room with a grave expression. “We have a chance to divert their attention,” she began, looking directly at Clara. “But it’s risky.”
“What are you suggesting?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“They know we’re protecting something—or someone,” Nina explained, crossing her arms. “If we give them a big enough distraction, we can buy time to evacuate Clara.”
“You’re suggesting using her as bait?” My voice rose, and I felt anger bubbling inside me.
“Of course not,” Nina quickly replied, but her tone suggested otherwise. “I’m saying we can fool them. We need to make it look like Clara is somewhere else.”
Clara interrupted before I could respond. “I agree.”
I turned to her, incredulous. “You agree? Clara, this is insane!”
“And what else can we do, Bela?” Clara shot back, her voice sharp. “If we stay here, they’ll catch us. All of us.”
Marcelo intervened, his voice calm but firm. “We can create a distraction, but we need to ensure Clara stays protected. Evelyn and I will handle the evacuation.”
While Nina and Marcelo set up barricades at the main entrances, Evelyn worked furiously on her laptop, hacking into the hospital’s security systems to lock the doors and buy us time.
I stayed by Clara’s side, helping her sit more comfortably. Every movement seemed exhausting for her, but she didn’t complain.
“Do you really think this will work?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Clara looked at me, her eyes filled with something between determination and resignation. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But if we don’t try, we don’t stand a chance.”
Before I could respond, the sound of breaking glass echoed down the hallway. Nina appeared, running toward us with her weapon drawn. “They’re coming in,” she warned, her voice heavy with urgency.
Marcelo and Nina took positions at the main entrances while I stayed with Clara in the back of the hospital. The plan was clear: they would hold off Richard’s men for as long as possible while Evelyn finalized access to the emergency exit.
“Do you know how to use this?” Nina handed me a small gun before running back to the front lines.
I nodded, though my hand trembled as I held it. “If I have to,” I murmured.
The first gunshots echoed through the hospital, followed by muffled shouts and commands. Clara tried to stand, but I pushed her back onto the bed.
“You promised to stay with me,” I said, my voice low but firm.
“And I’m here,” Clara replied, her expression softening. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll just sit here while they hunt us down.”
The sound of gunfire grew closer. Evelyn appeared at the door, clutching her laptop. “It’s ready,” she said quickly. “We need to leave now.”
I looked at Clara, carefully helping her to her feet. She leaned on me, her body tense but her willpower unyielding.
“Marcelo and Nina will hold the rest,” Evelyn continued. “But we have to go, or it’ll be too late.”
As we moved through the corridors, my heart raced. Every step was fraught with uncertainty, but Clara squeezed my hand as if trying to lend me her strength.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion made us stop. The impact threw us against the wall. When I looked up, I saw Richard, his tall and menacing figure blocking our only way out.
“Did you really think you could fool me?” he said, his voice low but deadly.
Panic consumed me as I pulled Clara behind me, instinctively shielding her with my body. Evelyn froze, clutching the laptop tightly, while Richard stepped forward, a cold smile spreading across his face.
“This is the end of the line,” he murmured, raising his gun.