Miguel's POVThe stench of gunpowder clung to the damp air as Maria and I crouched behind the rusted dumpster, pinned by the relentless spray of bullets. The early morning light barely touched the alley, distorted by the swirling helicopter blades above, making the flurry of loose notebook pages dance in the rotor wash.Maria clutched the single folded page against her chest, her breathing ragged but determined. My pulse hammered in my ears as I checked the last rounds in my magazine."We're trapped," I muttered, voice low. "Any brilliant ideas?" I asked as my heart kept beating fast.She hesitated, eyes locked on the paper in her trembling hands. "We need to reach the warehouse. Before they do. The truth isn't just in this notebook—your father's real research... his evidence... it's all there. But if they get to it first they will do as they …” before I could continue; a bullet pinged off the metal behind us, making both of us flinch.Gideon’s voice sliced through the chaos. "You can't h
Isabel's POVThe gunshot echoed like a thunderclap, making me freeze mid-step. Diego stiffened against my side, his breath catching as his head whipped around toward the sound."That was close," Marissa said, her voice tight as she scanned the tunnels. She shifted her rifle slightly, signaling for silence as we listened. The boots chasing us had fallen quiet too.Diego grabbed my arm. "Miguel... Mom..." he said as he looked back hoping to still see them coming behind but they were stuck with Gideon.I shook my head, forcing calm into my voice. "We keep moving, Diego. We can't help them if we get caught." I said as I looked at Andrew who as well is unsure of what to say. I took his hands and pulled him forward with me.Andrew fumbled with his map in the dim light, his face pale. "The tunnels split ahead. If Miguel and Maria took the cooling system, then they will be closer than we thought" he said slightly fold the map and dipped it into the small bag hung around his neck. I could see the
Miguel’s POVI lunged at Gideon just as his finger squeezed the trigger. The deafening crack of the gunshot echoed through the tunnels, but I was faster. The bullet went wide, ricocheting off the concrete wall. My shoulder screamed in pain as I crashed into him, knocking his weapon loose.Maria stumbled back, clutching her wrist, face pale but determined.Gideon snarled, twisting under me, his knee driving into my ribs. The breath shot from my lungs, but I didn’t let go. Not this time."You don't get to win!" I growled, slamming my fist into his face.His head snapped back against the floor. Blood dripped from his lip, but the man barely seemed fazed."You think this is winning, Miguel?" he spat, voice low. "Look around you. You're bleeding out. Your brother can barely stand. You can't protect them both."His words hit harder than the pain.Maria yanked me back, pulling at my collar. "Miguel! Enough! We have to go!" she said as she pulled me up.I saw the truth in her eyes. Diego was
Miguel’s POVA deafening roar shook the warehouse as the detonation rippled through the building above. The impact threw us against the tunnel walls, dust billowing from the cracks in the ceiling as the structure groaned under the force.I shielded Maria instinctively, my injured arm throbbing with every pulse of my heartbeat. The dim emergency lights flickered, barely holding on.Diego coughed, staggering forward. "We... we need to keep moving!"The explosion wasn’t just a warning. It was collapsing the building."Stay together!" I shouted, guiding Maria and Diego as we stumbled deeper into the darkened tunnel.Marissa took point, her rifle raised. She glanced back at me, her face streaked with sweat and grime. "I hear them. Gideon’s men are closing in fast."A metallic groan echoed above us. The roof was giving way.We couldn't stop. Not now.Isabel's POVThe tunnel felt endless, the darkness pressing in as we pushed forward. My heart pounded so loud I could barely hear the sound of
Isabel POVThe room descended into chaos, but my focus stayed locked on the ledger in my hands. It was the only leverage we had, and I wasn't about to let Gideon take it without a fight.Miguel and Marissa moved, firing at the two men Gideon had brought with him. I dropped to the floor, crawling toward the table for cover."You're running out of time, Isabel!" Gideon shouted.I glanced up and saw him advancing, Miguel POV"Stay down, Isabel!" I shouted, firing at Alex. The shot missed.Marissa ducked beside me, reloading her weapon. "They're pushing hard," she said."No kidding," I muttered."We need to end this," Marissa said, her eyes narrowing.Isabel POVI tried to think, to plan, but the noise and chaos made it impossible.Miguel's voice cut through the din. "Isabel, stay where you are!"I peeked over the edge of the table and saw Gideon advancing."Gideon!" I yelled.He paused, his eyes snapping to me. "Finally ready to cooperate?""Not exactly," I said.Miguel POVIsabel's voi
Miguel's POVThe headlights caught her face fully now, and there was no mistaking it.Our mother.Her face was pale, lined with the kind of exhaustion that only comes from years of pain, yet her eyes held that same piercing intensity I remembered as a child.Fifteen years. Fifteen years without a word. Without an explanation.I pushed open the car door. Cold air hit me, but my chest burned hotter than ever."Stay in the car," Dad ordered, his voice taut with authority."Like hell I will." I stepped out, heart pounding. "Fifteen years. And you think showing up now—like this—is enough?"She took a step forward."Miguel, please. There's so much you don't—"I cut her off, my voice trembling. "Then explain it. No more riddles. No more secrets. Why now?"Behind me, Isabel's voice cut through the tension."Miguel! Diego's pulse is dropping again! We don't have time for this!"Our mother's face twisted with urgency."Let me help him. Please."I stepped back, blocking her approach."No. You do
Esmeralda's POVAs I stepped into the dimly lit threshold of Elite Lounge,the bouncer,a towering figure with a sturdy build and strong physique,gazed down at me with a neutral expression."Name?" He asked,his deep voice firm but polite."Esmeralda Reyes" I replied with a smile plastered on my lips.His piercing black eyes scanned my face before shifting to the sleek,black clipboard in his hands. His thick fingers scrolled through the list,his expression unreadable. His gaze returned to my face,his eyes narrowing slightly as if to confirm my identity. A moment passed before he nodded."Welcome to Elite Lounge,Mrs. Reyes. You're on the list" His deep voice rumbled with a slight smile on his lips as he moved aside from the door. I sauntered in, grimacing at the loud blaring music and the sight of people twirling and dancing on the floor. Born into the world as an heiress of the Lawson family's fortune,I grew up accustomed to the extravagant lifestyle of the rich,but everything changed
Esmeralda's POV"What.. what's going on here?" I asked,my voice cracking as I stared from Antonio who was already shirtless to Elena who was already half naked.Antonio's eyes widened in shock as he pushed Elena away. "Esme,what are you doing here?" He berated."It's my house. Why can't I be here?" I asked, stupified by his question. He frowned and shifted his gaze to Elena, saying,"I thought you said the drug wasn't going to wear off until evening?""Huh... What drugs? What the hell is going on your Antonio? What are you doing with Elena?" I questioned,yelling. I was going all out to control the tears brimming up in my eyes.'No! Not yet' I screamed inwardly,trying to convince myself that maybe,just maybe they had an explanation for their actions. I saw a mocking smirk appear on Elena's face. She fiddled with my husband's hair and stood up from his thighs."Don't worry, Antonio. I'll handle her" She smiled eeriely and sashayed to me with confidence."What do you think it is,Esme?"
Miguel's POVThe headlights caught her face fully now, and there was no mistaking it.Our mother.Her face was pale, lined with the kind of exhaustion that only comes from years of pain, yet her eyes held that same piercing intensity I remembered as a child.Fifteen years. Fifteen years without a word. Without an explanation.I pushed open the car door. Cold air hit me, but my chest burned hotter than ever."Stay in the car," Dad ordered, his voice taut with authority."Like hell I will." I stepped out, heart pounding. "Fifteen years. And you think showing up now—like this—is enough?"She took a step forward."Miguel, please. There's so much you don't—"I cut her off, my voice trembling. "Then explain it. No more riddles. No more secrets. Why now?"Behind me, Isabel's voice cut through the tension."Miguel! Diego's pulse is dropping again! We don't have time for this!"Our mother's face twisted with urgency."Let me help him. Please."I stepped back, blocking her approach."No. You do
Isabel POVThe room descended into chaos, but my focus stayed locked on the ledger in my hands. It was the only leverage we had, and I wasn't about to let Gideon take it without a fight.Miguel and Marissa moved, firing at the two men Gideon had brought with him. I dropped to the floor, crawling toward the table for cover."You're running out of time, Isabel!" Gideon shouted.I glanced up and saw him advancing, Miguel POV"Stay down, Isabel!" I shouted, firing at Alex. The shot missed.Marissa ducked beside me, reloading her weapon. "They're pushing hard," she said."No kidding," I muttered."We need to end this," Marissa said, her eyes narrowing.Isabel POVI tried to think, to plan, but the noise and chaos made it impossible.Miguel's voice cut through the din. "Isabel, stay where you are!"I peeked over the edge of the table and saw Gideon advancing."Gideon!" I yelled.He paused, his eyes snapping to me. "Finally ready to cooperate?""Not exactly," I said.Miguel POVIsabel's voi
Miguel’s POVA deafening roar shook the warehouse as the detonation rippled through the building above. The impact threw us against the tunnel walls, dust billowing from the cracks in the ceiling as the structure groaned under the force.I shielded Maria instinctively, my injured arm throbbing with every pulse of my heartbeat. The dim emergency lights flickered, barely holding on.Diego coughed, staggering forward. "We... we need to keep moving!"The explosion wasn’t just a warning. It was collapsing the building."Stay together!" I shouted, guiding Maria and Diego as we stumbled deeper into the darkened tunnel.Marissa took point, her rifle raised. She glanced back at me, her face streaked with sweat and grime. "I hear them. Gideon’s men are closing in fast."A metallic groan echoed above us. The roof was giving way.We couldn't stop. Not now.Isabel's POVThe tunnel felt endless, the darkness pressing in as we pushed forward. My heart pounded so loud I could barely hear the sound of
Miguel’s POVI lunged at Gideon just as his finger squeezed the trigger. The deafening crack of the gunshot echoed through the tunnels, but I was faster. The bullet went wide, ricocheting off the concrete wall. My shoulder screamed in pain as I crashed into him, knocking his weapon loose.Maria stumbled back, clutching her wrist, face pale but determined.Gideon snarled, twisting under me, his knee driving into my ribs. The breath shot from my lungs, but I didn’t let go. Not this time."You don't get to win!" I growled, slamming my fist into his face.His head snapped back against the floor. Blood dripped from his lip, but the man barely seemed fazed."You think this is winning, Miguel?" he spat, voice low. "Look around you. You're bleeding out. Your brother can barely stand. You can't protect them both."His words hit harder than the pain.Maria yanked me back, pulling at my collar. "Miguel! Enough! We have to go!" she said as she pulled me up.I saw the truth in her eyes. Diego was
Isabel's POVThe gunshot echoed like a thunderclap, making me freeze mid-step. Diego stiffened against my side, his breath catching as his head whipped around toward the sound."That was close," Marissa said, her voice tight as she scanned the tunnels. She shifted her rifle slightly, signaling for silence as we listened. The boots chasing us had fallen quiet too.Diego grabbed my arm. "Miguel... Mom..." he said as he looked back hoping to still see them coming behind but they were stuck with Gideon.I shook my head, forcing calm into my voice. "We keep moving, Diego. We can't help them if we get caught." I said as I looked at Andrew who as well is unsure of what to say. I took his hands and pulled him forward with me.Andrew fumbled with his map in the dim light, his face pale. "The tunnels split ahead. If Miguel and Maria took the cooling system, then they will be closer than we thought" he said slightly fold the map and dipped it into the small bag hung around his neck. I could see the
Miguel's POVThe stench of gunpowder clung to the damp air as Maria and I crouched behind the rusted dumpster, pinned by the relentless spray of bullets. The early morning light barely touched the alley, distorted by the swirling helicopter blades above, making the flurry of loose notebook pages dance in the rotor wash.Maria clutched the single folded page against her chest, her breathing ragged but determined. My pulse hammered in my ears as I checked the last rounds in my magazine."We're trapped," I muttered, voice low. "Any brilliant ideas?" I asked as my heart kept beating fast.She hesitated, eyes locked on the paper in her trembling hands. "We need to reach the warehouse. Before they do. The truth isn't just in this notebook—your father's real research... his evidence... it's all there. But if they get to it first they will do as they …” before I could continue; a bullet pinged off the metal behind us, making both of us flinch.Gideon’s voice sliced through the chaos. "You can't h
Miguel’s POVGideon’s gun was still pointed at us, the morning sun glaring off the metal. My pulse thundered as my hand hovered near my holster, but Maria gripped my wrist tightly. Her knuckles were white.“Don’t,” she whispered. “You don't know what you're dealing with. Stay still.” She said with her firm voice as she stare at Gideon.Gideon took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as his men shifted behind him, blocking both ends of the alley. He looked almost disappointed.“You always were the sentimental one, Maria.” His voice was smooth, calculated. “Even after you knew the cost.” He said his tone very calm and calculated.Maria’s voice trembled, but she held her ground. “You manipulated my research. Turned it into something horrifying.”Gideon’s lips curled into a smirk. “It was never your research. You were a tool. An effective one, but replaceable. Your husband understood that in the end.”I felt my stomach drop.Maria's eyes flicked to mine, panic flashing for just a moment before sh
Miguel’s POVDiego lay motionless on the medical bed, I paced the room, my fists clenching and unclenching.Maria sat beside Diego, holding his hand tightly. Dr. Andrew stayed nearby, his gaze flicking between the monitors and the faint tremor in Diego’s fingers.“The sedative is working,” Andrew said. “But the strain on his neural pathways was significant. He’ll need rest and careful monitoring.”Diego stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open. His voice came out hoarse.“Everything feels… broken,” he murmured. “Like I’m trying to piece together a puzzle, but half the pieces are missing.”Maria leaned closer. “Do you remember anything? Anything at all?”“There was… a warehouse. By the river. They took me there before the facility. And… files. Evidence.” His gaze shifted to me. “It’s all there, Miguel. Everything we need to take them down.”I stopped pacing. “Where exactly is this warehouse?”Maria shot me a warning look. “Miguel, he needs rest. We can’t—”“He’s telling us where to find answe
Miguel's POVThe room stood frozen, the only sound the faint hum of the monitors. Diego's black, lifeless eyes were still fixed on us, but the voice that came from him wasn’t his."You should have let me die." His voice hoarsed and deeper than his usual voice is.Maria's hands trembled as she pressed her palms to his face, searching his expression for something—anything—that felt like her son."Diego," she whispered, voice breaking. "Please... fight this. Stay with us." She said with a calm and trembling tone as she attempts to move closer to him.His body tensed, and I felt an icy dread settle in my chest."Mom, step back," I warned, my fingers inching toward my sidearm.Maria shook her head, tears streaking her pale face. "He's still in there. I know it—"Dr. Andrew's voice cut through, the whole scenario. "His neural activity is still fluctuating. This isn't possession—it's a neural cascade. His consciousness is fragmenting, collapsing under the data overload." He said his voice fi