Darren and Marcus were shoved forward roughly, the cold metal of the knives pressing against their backs as they were led through the narrow hallway of the decrepit building. The place reeked of damp wood and stale air, dimly lit by flickering bulbs that buzzed above their heads.

  Neither spoke.

  Their footsteps echoed as they climbed creaking stairs until they reached the second floor. A large, worn-out door creaked open. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and a faint metallic scent.

  At the center sat a man — graying hair slicked back, face weathered, mid-fifties but with sharp eyes that hadn’t dulled. Around him, three other men lounged lazily, a girl sitting on a tattered couch nearby, chewing gum without a care.

  The girl, Mara, stood and approached the desk. With a sigh, she dumped the contents of her worn purse onto the table — watches, wallets, some crumpled bills, loose jewelry.

  The man smirked as he rifled through the items. “Not bad, Mara,” he sneered. “Blood work today.”

  Then his eyes drifted lazily to Darren and Marcus, still held at knife point.

  “So… these the ones?” he asked, not even looking at Mara.

  She nodded. “Yes. They were tailing me since morning.”

  The man exhaled through his nose, annoyed. “Bring them.”

  The guards shoved Darren and Marcus forward until they stood facing the man.

  His gaze sharpened. “Who sent you?”

  Darren opened his mouth, voice steady. “No one. We were—”

  Smack — A loud slap echoed as one of the guards struck Darren hard enough to nearly knock him off his feet.

  The boss gave a humorless chuckle. “You’re either real brave or real stupid.”

  His eyes gleamed. “Take them. Tie ’em up. We’ll see if pain makes ’em talk.”

  Two men grabbed the boys, dragging them roughly toward a corner where two old chairs sat. Ropes were pulled tight — back to back, wrists bound until they couldn’t move.

  Meanwhile, the boss turned back to Mara. “Where’s the rest?”

  Mara hesitated. “It’s not much today… I was being watched—”

  “How much!” the man snapped.

  Mara flinched but pointed at the small pile. “That’s all.”

  The man’s face twisted in disgust. “Not enough.” He stood, leaning close until Mara could smell his cheap cologne. “You know the deal. If you don’t bring in more tomorrow…”

  Mara’s eyes welled up. “Please… I’m trying. I just got out…”

  “Then your sister pays,” he growled. “Simple.”

  Mara’s lips trembled, but she nodded.

  From the hidden camera sewn into Marcus’ jacket, the entire scene was captured.

  Back at the villa, Kai sat frozen, his eyes locked on the screen.

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  Felix’s fingers hovered above the keyboard, unsure. Iris stood beside Kai, staring at the unfolding nightmare.

  Her voice was low but tense. “Kai… what do we do?”

  Kai didn’t answer — not right away. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing as he watched the old man smirk, the guards tighten the ropes around Darren and Marcus until their faces contorted in pain.

  Kai’s mind raced — faster than it ever had before.

  For once, the weight of his choices pressed down on him. This isn’t a game anymore, he thought, cold sweat forming at the back of his neck. I didn’t think it through… They could die because of me.

  He clenched his fists.

  “Felix,” Kai said suddenly, voice low but firm. “Can you pull Mara’s phone number? I need it. Now.”

  Felix blinked, startled by the urgency. “G-Give me a minute, boss.” His fingers flew across the keyboard.

  Kai turned sharply to Iris and Jonah. “Keep watching. If anything happens—if they even move wrong—I want to know.”

  Iris nodded, her jaw tight. Jonah just swallowed and stared at the screen, his hands clenched.

  Without another word, Kai disappeared toward the sanctuary room.

  The door shut. The blinds were drawn. Only the soft flicker of candlelight filled the space.

  Kai sat cross-legged, breathing slow. The weight of the moment settled.

  In the smoky place, he drifted — his mind sharper now, desperate.

  I need a crack… an angle. Something to pull.

  The darkness answered with silence.

  Kai focused, If I can’t save them directly, I’ll use the pieces already on the board.

  A few moments after Kai stepped out minutes later, his face pale but his eyes blazing.

  “Jonah,” he called, his voice hoarse, “Anything?”

  Jonah shook his head. “No… The boss stepped out. Just Mara and the boys. They’re still tied.”

  Felix spun his chair. “Got it — her number.”

  Kai exhaled, relief flooding through him. “Good. Text it to me.”

  Kai put the earpiece on. “Darren. Can you hear me?”

  Darren’s voice was faint, panicked. “Y-Yeah. Marcus is losing it… I… Boss, please… Call the cops. We’re not getting out.”

  Kai’s voice stayed steady. “Listen to me. The Watchers have already moved. Stay ready.

  You’re going to be fine. But when the ropes are cut — run. Evan’s coming to pick you up.”

  Darren’s breath hitched. “W-What do you mean when?”

  “Trust me.”

  Kai cut the line.

  He grabbed his phone — heart pounding — and typed fast. A single message.

  The boss returned, boots heavy. He stopped near Mara.

  “Here,” he grunted, tossing a few crumpled bills at her.

  Mara stared at the money. “It’s… not enough. I need more. My sister—”

  The boss sneered. “Then maybe it’s time she starts working. We had a deal, yeah… but deals change.”

  Mara’s face drained of color. “No… That’s not—”

  “You heard me,” he snapped. “Take it… or watch her starve.”

  He turned away, waving her off. “Get lost.”

  Mara didn’t move — not until the boss disappeared behind another door with his men.

  She’d barely taken three steps toward the exit when her phone buzzed.

  Frowning, she pulled it free, glancing at the screen.

  Unknown Number:

  “I’ve been watching you. Say nothing if you want your sister safe. I know why you’re here. I know who you work for. But I’m not your enemy.

  Listen carefully — in a few minutes, there’ll be a fire. When it happens, you cut the boys loose. Do that… and you’re free. You and your sister.”

  Mara stood frozen, the weight of the message still ringing in her mind. Her sister’s face flashed before her eyes — scared, innocent. She bit her lip, heart pounding.

  Inside the villa, Kai watched the screen, calculating every second.

  He exhaled slowly. It’s time…

  Yet, not a word left his mouth.

  Because now… it was out of his hands.

  On the building’s weathered rooftop, a pigeon pecked at some crumbs. A flap of its wings sent dust swirling as it strutted along the edge.

  Then — something startled it. A stray cat prowling the alley below hissed sharply.

  The pigeon flapped hard, wings slapping the air — dislodging a loose chunk of old brick from the ledge.

  The stone tumbled, gathering speed.

  Down — down — until it struck a rusted metal pipe jutting from the wall. Sparks flew as metal ground against metal.

  The rock bounced, careening through the open, half-broken window — where it struck an old, flickering electrical box hanging by a thread.

  A tiny spark jumped.

  Right beside it… a pile of old rags.

  Mara’s head jerked up as the smell hit first — burning.

  Then, the hiss — the unmistakable crackle of fire catching fast.

  One of the thugs shouted, “What the hell is that smell?!”

  They spun around as the corner of the room burst into flames, smoke climbing fast.

  “FIRE!”

  Panic erupted. Chairs scraped, men cursed, tripping over each other.

  Kai, watching through the feed, allowed himself the faintest smirk.

  Amidst the chaos, Mara froze — the text replaying in her mind.

  “There will be fire. Cut the boys loose. Do that… and you’re free.”

  She sprinted.

  Darren gasped as Mara appeared, knife in hand. “What—?”

  “Shut up,” she hissed, sawing at the ropes. “You’re lucky. Don’t waste it.”

  The last rope snapped.

  “Go! Now!”

  Darren grabbed Marcus, dragging him as the fire spread fast — licking at the walls, the curtains, the ceiling.

  Evan’s car skidded to a stop just as the boys stumbled out, coughing, eyes wide with terror.

  “In! Now!” Evan barked.

  Mara didn’t think twice and get in also.

  They dove in — just as the first floor’s windows blew out behind them.

  Smoke billowed into the sky.

  The villa was silent.

  Felix exhaled. “Holy… it worked.”

  Jonah wiped sweat off his brow. “I thought… I thought we lost them.”

  Iris just stared — pale, shaken.

  Kai sat perfectly still.

  The phone vibrated on the table. Kai picked it up, his expression unreadable.

  Evan’s voice came through, hushed but laced with surprise.

  “Kai… We’ve got a situation. Mara… she jumped in the car with us. Said nothing—just climbed in. She’s sitting in the back with the guys.”

  For a moment, silence stretched. Felix and Iris glanced at Kai, waiting.

  Kai’s eyes narrowed. He leaned back, calculating.

  “…Good.” He finally said, his tone calm — almost amused.

  “Bring her here.”

  Evan blinked. “You sure? I thought—”

  “Bring her,” Kai repeated, voice firmer. “She made her choice the moment she cut those ropes. Now… I want to see why.”

  Evan let out a breath. “Alright. We’re on our way.”

  The line clicked dead.

  Kai set the phone down slowly, his gaze distant.

  “She’s coming,” he told the room. “Get ready.”

  Iris frowned. “You think she’s a threat?”

  Kai’s lips curled into a thin smile.

  “Not yet. But if she came willingly… that means she’s ready to talk. Or desperate enough to try.”

  Jonah muttered, “Or scared out of her mind after what just happened.”

  Kai nodded once.

  “Either way… we don’t let her leave. Not until we know exactly what she wants — and what she knows.”

  He stood, adjusting his sleeves.

  “Set up the living room. This… might be interesting.”

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