Chapter 5

As the day faded into dusk, Atlas and his mother remained holed up in their makeshift hideout, their minds consumed by thoughts of the danger that lurked outside. The apartment felt suffocatingly small, the walls closing in around them as the shadows lengthened.

Atlas paced restlessly, his every movement a testament to the turmoil raging within him. His mother watched him with a mixture of concern and sadness, her heart heavy with worry for her son.

"We can't stay here forever," Atlas said, his voice tight with frustration. "We need to find out who did this to you."

His mother nodded in agreement, though her expression remained somber. "I know, Atlas," she replied. "But we have to be smart about this. We can't rush into danger blindly."

Atlas sighed, his shoulders slumping with defeat. He knew his mother was right, but the waiting was unbearable. Every moment that passed felt like an eternity, each second stretching out into infinity as they remained trapped in their gilded cage.

But as the night wore on, Atlas's unease only grew. There was something lurking in the shadows, something dark and malevolent that threatened to consume them both.

Suddenly, a knock at the door destroyed the silence, sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through Atlas's veins. His mother tensed beside him, her eyes wide with fear.

"Who could that be?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above the pounding of Atlas's heart.

Atlas moved toward the door, his hand hovering over the doorknob. With a deep breath, he swung the door open, revealing a figure standing in the dimly lit hallway.

It was Raven, the mysterious woman who had crossed paths with Atlas before. She stood before him now, her expression unreadable as she surveyed him with keen eyes.

"I come bearing news," Raven said, her voice low and urgent. "But we need to talk – alone."

Atlas hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with suspicion. But he knew they needed answers, and Raven might be their only hope of finding them.

With a reluctant nod, Atlas stepped aside, allowing Raven to enter the apartment. As the door closed behind her, Atlas couldn't shake the feeling that their lives were about to change in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

"Well I think I found out something," Raven said, her voice thick with urgency.

"What is it?" Atlas replied, clenching his jaw. He needed answers and he needed them fast.

"Your mother's kidnap, I linked it with that of some others." She replied her voice low.

"What?" Atlas was startled, but this was no time for surprise, and he knew that.

Suddenly, a beep shattered the tension of the area. It was Raven's watch. One look at it, she disappeared but not without leaving a message.

"Protect your mother, they might just come for her again"