The escape

{Mia}

I clenched my fists, knuckles white against the cold metal of the restraints.

"You're lying," I hissed, my voice trembling with anger and fear.

The man tilted his head, his grin unshaken. "Oh, am I? You've felt it, haven't you? The power buried deep inside you, waiting to surface. I'm just here to help you unleash it."

Something in his tone sent a chill down my spine. Before I could speak, a wave of heat coursed through my body, starting in my chest and spreading like wildfire. The restraints groaned as if sensing the energy building within me .

The man grinned as if sensing I was about to burst , then he commanded in a sharp tone ." Natalie, turn on the holograms please."

My eyes widened in shock, the videos flashed to life, each one an eerie replay of my past, as if my most private moments were being paraded for someone else's amusement. I recoiled, a chill crawling up my spine. Was he watching me all along? The energy building within me suddenly vanished." H-have you been watching me ?" I asked trying to sound sting but my voice cracked .

" Of course Mia . I care about you " he said his tone dripping with something I couldn't quite place . Fear ? Sarcasm?

" Who are you " I repeated .

" You will find out soon enough, my dear "

His voice sent shivers down my spine . I felt scared, I didn't know what to do .

" What... what do you want from me?" I stammered, my voice barely a whisper, as the weight of his words began to sink in. Was this really happening? Was I ready for what came next?

" You'll find out soon enough, Mia. Don't worry your pretty little head." He added his eyes glinting mischeviously .

Then a thought struck me . I was wearing my watch .

I wasn't sure if I had what it took, but in that moment, something shifted inside me. I wasn't just going to be a victim anymore. Scarlett believed in me, and maybe, just maybe, I could believe in myself too.

" You think this is over ? Think again . " I asked my voice getting more confident by the second .

" No I don't think so , I know so ." He said grinning.

I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't a fighter. But if I didn't act now, no one else would save me. I had to try.

I smirked. "Scarlett," I whispered, my lips barely moving. Scarlett's holographic interface flickered to life, the sleek blue light casting an otherworldly glow on my wrist. Her voice was calm, but the subtle beeping of the system hinted at her urgency.

"Yes, Mia?" Her crisp, almost too calm voice steadied me.

"Deploy the gas bomb."

"Deploying now."

The gas hissed out in a sharp burst, a choking cloud that turned the air into a suffocating haze.

The room filled with a sharp hiss. The acrid stench hit first, a gut-wrenching smell that clawed at my throat. The man staggered, coughing violently as his grin twisted into a grimace.

"Scarlett," I choked out, "hack the security system and free me."

"Already on it," she replied coolly. A moment later, the restraints clicked open, the cold metal sliding off my wrists and ankles.

I shot to my feet, but the dizziness hit me hard. Scarlett's voice cut through the haze.

"Calculating escape route. Stay focused."

Scarlett's voice broke through my fear, sharp but caring: "Focus, Mia. You're almost there. Don't let them win." She urged her tone desperate.

The man barked orders through the gas. "Natalie vent the air now!"

I didn't wait to see if "Natalie" would obey. Scarlett's directions were in my ear, a lifeline. The pounding of boots grew louder behind me as I darted into a narrow alley, the shadows swallowing me whole.

Two men appeared in front of me and I shouted." Out of my way . MOVE !!"

They looked at each other and they smirked.

They stood in my way blocking my path .I was ready to stop in my tracks but suddenly time slowed as I pushed off the ground, my legs burning with the effort as time stretched impossibly slow. The men's eyes widened in disbelief as I flew past them, the alley walls flashing by in a blur. My landing was rough, my knees buckling under the impact, but there was no time to stop. Not now not ever again .

I was just as surprised as they were . I was never the athletic type . ' how did I jump that high ?'.

" Scarlett " I said my breathing uneven." Take me home ."

I heard beeping sounds and then directions appeared.

At home

" Why are you home so late ?" My mother asked looking at me concerned.

My hair was a mess and I was sure I looked like a wreck .

" Sorry mom . I wasn't able to come earlier , Emma and I had a school project to do ."

Mom's eyes lingered on me, searching for the truth I couldn't tell her. My stomach churned, guilt bubbling up, but what choice did I have? If she knew what I'd been through tonight, she'd never let me leave the house again. 'It's just a project,' I muttered, forcing a smile I didn't feel.

She squinted her eyes at me as if not believing me ." Call her ." She said her voice firm , leaving no room for argument.

I shivered . " Now !"

I opened my phone and dialed her number , she answered " Mia are you okay?! What happened? I was worried, I called y- "

" My mom wants to talk to you "

She immediately understood.

I put the phone on speaker." Where was Mia ?" She said her voice firm

" Umm .. she was with me ma'am"

She raised her brow ." Doing what exactly?"

" Umm we were working on a school project together ma'am." She said politely.

I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Thank God we had discussed this matter beforehand.

" Alright, I believe you " she said turning to me . Her tone softer now . You can go now .

I ran towards my room . Shut the door . And lay down on my bed .

Mia, you really need to stop doing this to me," Scarlett's voice crackled through the air, more exasperated than usual. "You can't just go running into danger expecting me to pull you out every time." But there was something in her tone a softness, an unspoken understanding that made my chest tighten.

" I told you not to get into trouble." Scarlett repeated her tone firm ." What were you thinking? Going to an abandoned warehouse all alone ? What if I couldn't save you ?" She added frustrated .

A grin tugged at my lips, even though the weight of what had just happened still pressed heavily on my chest ." You said you'd protect me ." She sighed." I know what I said Mia , but only to some extent."

" I trust you Scarlett, you're way more capable than you think ."

"Mia, this isn't a game,'' Scarlett said, her voice softer now. 'I'm here to protect you, but you have to protect yourself too.' I swallowed hard, the weight of her words pressing down on me. ''I know, Scarlett. I'll be more careful. I promise."

As I dropped the gadget onto the table, a surge of determination coursed through me. I wasn't just surviving anymore. I was starting to understand the game, and I was ready to play. "Find everything on this," I commanded, my voice steady, sharp. "I need answers. Now."