CH.95

~At another location~

The night stretched before Seven like an impenetrable veil, concealing the high-security compound.

His boots fell in near-silent steps on the rain-slicked pavement as he approached the huge gates before him.

His fingers tightened around the grip of his suppressed pistol while his piercing gaze swept over the armed guards patrolling the perimeter, assessing their patterns and positioning like a seasoned predator chasing its prey.

Their presence was but a minor obstacle, one he would neutralize with ruthless efficiency.

Drawing a steadying breath into his lungs, he slipped into the darkness, cloaking the compound. He moved with a grace that rendered him all but invisible... like a wraith in the darkest of hours.

The first guard never even saw him coming. One moment, he was standing at his post, shoulders squared with his gun at the ready, and the next, Seven's gloved hand was clamped over his mouth to stifle any chance of a warning cry.

He gave the guar