Machine

Right after Jeremy finished speaking, a deafening siren blared through the corridors, the sound sharp and urgent, reverberating off the cold metal walls.

Chase flinched at the noise, his heart leaping into his throat. Arrow clung to his arm tightly, his nails digging into Chase's skin as his breathing quickened.

"What the hell is that?" Blake barked, already tense.

Jeremy cursed under his breath, his calm demeanor cracking for the first time. "That's the intruder alert. They know someone unauthorized is here."

Chase's stomach dropped. "Are you saying they know we're here?!"

Jeremy nodded grimly. "It's possible. Or they've spotted something unusual. Either way, we're out of time."

Mia pulled her jacket tighter around herself, her eyes darting around nervously. "What do we do now? If they're onto us, won't the guards lock everything down?"