Chapter 24

The walls shook as another explosion rumbled through the tunnels, dislodging chunks of concrete and dust. The air grew thick with the acrid scent of burning wires and scorched metal. Clinton barely had time to brace himself before another tremor nearly knocked them off their feet.

"Move!" Athena barked, grabbing Cloud by the arm and yanking him forward. His steps were sluggish, his breath ragged. He was running on pure adrenaline, but even that was fading fast.

Clinton risked a glance over his shoulder. The SynerTech guards were regrouping, forming a tight formation as they advanced with military precision. Their weapons gleamed under the dim emergency lights, their boots striking the ground in perfect unison.

They weren’t going to outrun them.

Clinton grabbed Athena’s shoulder. "We need to slow them down."

She nodded, eyes scanning their surroundings. “Up ahead—service hatch. If we collapse the tunnel behind us, we’ll buy some time.”

Cloud stumbled, catching himself against the wall. “And if we’re stuck in a dead-end?”

Clinton pulled him forward. "Then we make our own way out."

They sprinted toward the hatch, Clinton breaking off to scan the walls. His eyes landed on an old, rusted gas pipe running along the ceiling. Perfect.

Athena helped Cloud up the ladder to the hatch, working fast to pry it open while Clinton reached into his vest for an explosive charge. It wasn’t much—just enough to cause a controlled collapse—but it would have to do.

The guards’ footsteps grew louder.

Clinton placed the charge, setting the timer for ten seconds. The old pipes would amplify the blast, bringing the ceiling down in an instant.

“Go!” he shouted, hauling himself up just as Athena pulled Cloud through the hatch.

They tumbled into a narrow maintenance tunnel, the scent of damp concrete filling their lungs. Clinton slammed the hatch shut and braced himself.

The explosion ripped through the tunnels, the impact sending a gust of hot air through the passage. The tunnel shook violently, and for a moment, Clinton feared the entire structure would give way.

Then—silence.

Athena exhaled sharply. “That should keep them busy.”

Cloud groaned, pressing a hand against his side. His wound was bleeding through the makeshift bandage, his face pale and slick with sweat.

“We need to get him medical help. Fast,” Clinton said, gripping Cloud’s shoulder. “How much further?”

Athena studied their surroundings. “If we follow this passage, it should lead us to an exit near the lower docks. There’s a safe house a few blocks from there.”

Clinton nodded. “Then let’s move.”

They pressed on, the tunnel narrowing as they wove through the underground network. The further they went, the more Clinton’s mind raced.

SynerTech wasn’t just moving weapons—they were moving people. Experimental subjects.

He clenched his fists. He had seen corporations do horrible things before, but this… this was something else. Something worse.

Cloud grunted in pain, breaking Clinton from his thoughts. His breathing was getting shallower, his steps more unsteady.

“Hold on,” Clinton murmured, slinging Cloud’s arm over his shoulder. “We’re almost there.”

A faint glow appeared in the distance—the end of the tunnel. The exit.

Athena quickened her pace, reaching the rusted metal door and testing the handle. It groaned in protest but gave way, revealing the alley beyond.

Cool night air rushed in, a stark contrast to the stifling heat of the tunnels.

Clinton and Athena half-carried Cloud out, moving quickly through the narrow alleys toward the safe house. The city loomed ahead, towering skyscrapers casting long shadows under the neon glow of streetlights. They were still in SynerTech’s territory, and every shadow felt like a pair of watching eyes.

They reached the safe house—a nondescript, abandoned warehouse with boarded-up windows and a reinforced door. Athena knocked twice, then three times in quick succession.

A small panel slid open. A pair of sharp eyes studied them before the door creaked open.

An older woman with graying hair and a scarred face ushered them inside. “Damn fools,” she muttered. “Come in before you get yourselves killed.”

They hurried in as she locked the door behind them.

The inside of the safe house was bare but functional. A cot, a table with scattered medical supplies, and a single lamp casting a dim glow.

The woman, Mira, eyed Cloud’s wound with a frown. “Set him down.”

Clinton and Athena lowered Cloud onto the cot. Mira moved with practiced efficiency, peeling back the blood-soaked bandages. “This is bad. You’re lucky you made it here.”

Cloud gave a weak smirk. “Lucky isn’t exactly the word I’d use.”

Mira snorted, already reaching for supplies. “Hold still.”

Cloud let out a strangled curse as she began working, the room tense with his muffled groans.

Clinton turned to Athena. “We need to talk.”

She nodded, stepping away from the cot. They moved to a quiet corner, lowering their voices.

“What we heard back there—‘experimental subjects.’” Clinton exhaled sharply. “SynerTech’s trafficking people.”

Athena’s jaw clenched. “I had my suspicions, but this confirms it.”

“We need more than confirmation,” Clinton said. “We need to stop them.”

Athena crossed her arms. “And how do you suggest we do that? We barely made it out alive.”

“We find out where those shipments are going,” Clinton said. “If we can expose them, we can bring them down.”

Athena studied him, then sighed. “You never could walk away from a fight.”

Clinton smirked. “Neither could you.”

Before Athena could reply, Mira called out. “Your friend’s stable. He needs rest, but he’ll live.”

Clinton let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Thank you.”

Mira wiped her hands on a rag. “Don’t thank me yet. You brought trouble with you. I hope you’re ready for what’s coming.”

Athena glanced toward the boarded-up windows, her expression grim. “We always are.”

Outside, the city hummed with distant sirens. The night was far from over.

The safe house remained eerily quiet, save for the occasional groan from Cloud as he shifted on the cot. Clinton paced near the boarded-up window, his fingers twitching with pent-up energy. Outside, the city pulsed with life, but in here, it felt like the calm before a storm.

Athena leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "We can't stay here long. If SynerTech is onto us, they'll track us down."

Mira scoffed as she packed away her medical supplies. "You're damn right they will. You three made a hell of a mess back there."

Clinton turned to her. "We need intel. Something concrete on where those experimental subjects are being moved."

Mira gave him a sharp look. "You're not planning on going back into that hornet’s nest, are you?"

Athena answered before Clinton could. "We don’t have a choice. If we leave it alone, more people will suffer."

Cloud groaned from the cot. "You two sound way too eager to get yourselves killed."

Clinton smirked. "Just another day for us."

Mira sighed and rubbed her temples. "There’s a contact I know. Works the docks, moves shipments for SynerTech. Goes by the name Jace. If anyone knows where those people are being taken, it's him."

Athena pushed off the wall. "Where do we find him?"

Mira hesitated. "There's a warehouse near Pier 17. Jace does his deals there at night. But listen—Jace is slippery. He won’t talk unless you make it worth his while."

Clinton nodded. "We’ll handle it."

Mira looked between them and shook her head. "You lot are either brave or stupid. Maybe both."

Cloud chuckled weakly. "Mostly stupid."

Athena grabbed her gear. "Then let's get moving before SynerTech finds this place."

Cloud struggled to sit up, but Clinton held him down. "You're in no shape for this. Stay here, rest up. We’ll be back."

Cloud frowned but didn't argue. "Don’t get yourselves killed."

Clinton smirked. "No promises."