Chapter 108: Captured

The world around me spun, the impact of the jump jarring my bones. I scrambled to my feet, adrenaline surging through my veins, but as I turned to help Sophia up, I felt a sharp sting on my neck.

What was happening? My vision blurred, and the ground rushed up to meet me again, this time more forcefully. The last thing I heard was Sophia’s frantic shout, “Emily!” before everything faded to black.

When I finally regained consciousness, the air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and something else—fear. I blinked against the harsh fluorescent light, trying to piece together what had happened. My wrists were bound tightly to a chair, and I could barely move.

The room was stark and cold, with bare concrete walls and a single table under the flickering light. A heavy door creaked open, and Marcus stepped in, flanked by two men in black suits. My heart dropped as I realized where I was: in the belly of the beast, the conspiracy’s lair.

“Welcome back, Emily,” Marcus said, his voice