Chapter 11

Ethan Cross worked quickly, his hands steady as he stitched the young man's side. Blood soaked through the towels Ray had handed him, but the system's guidance kept him focused.

"Wound identified: Deep laceration near the ribcage. No vital organs affected. Immediate suturing required."

"You're going to be fine," Ethan said, his voice calm despite the tension swirling in the room. "But I need you to tell me what happened."

The man winced, his breathing shallow. "Bounty hunters… they're everywhere. They came after me… thought I was you."

Ethan's stomach churned. "They thought you were me?"

The man nodded weakly. "Said they'd pay double… if you're alive."

Ray stepped closer, his expression grim. "They're already moving. It won't be long before they figure out you're here."

"Then we need to act now," Clara said, her tone sharp. She grabbed Ethan's arm, pulling him away from the patient. "This clinic isn't just a target—it's a trap. If we don't throw them off your trail, you're as good as dead."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "I'm not abandoning these people."

"You don't have to," Clara said, her eyes narrowing. "But if we don't make them think you've disappeared, you won't be around to save anyone."

Clara spread a map of the city across the counter, pointing to several marked locations. "Here's what we do. We fake your disappearance. Leave breadcrumbs to make it look like you've gone underground—literally."

Grayson frowned, his arms crossed. "Breadcrumbs? Like what?"

"Equipment, supplies, maybe a blood trail," Clara said, tapping the map. "We leave just enough to make it believable. Then we stage a fire here."

"A fire?" Ethan asked, his eyes widening.

"Controlled," she clarified. "We make it look like the clinic went up in flames with you inside. By the time the hunters get here, there won't be anything left for them to find."

Ray leaned against the counter, studying the map. "And what about the patients? We can't leave them here if we're torching the place."

Clara nodded. "We'll relocate them first. I've already got a few safehouses lined up."

Ethan hesitated, his mind racing. The plan was risky—one misstep and the entire operation could backfire. But the bounty was a ticking time bomb. If he stayed, he'd only put more lives in danger.

"Fine," he said finally. "But no one gets hurt. This has to be clean."

Clara smirked. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Over the next few hours, the team moved quickly. Grayson's men helped transport patients to the safehouses Clara had arranged, while Ethan packed up his most essential supplies. Ray worked on rigging the clinic with small incendiary devices—enough to make it look convincing without causing real destruction.

"This isn't my first controlled fire," Ray said, catching Ethan's skeptical glance. "You focus on keeping people alive. I'll make sure this goes off without a hitch."

By the time the clinic was empty, Clara had already planted fake evidence in key locations across the city. A trail of bloodied bandages led to an abandoned subway tunnel, while a discarded stethoscope was left at a hidden entrance to the underground. Every detail was designed to send the bounty hunters on a wild goose chase.

"It's all about misdirection," Clara said as she handed Ethan a clean set of clothes. "By the time they figure out the truth, we'll be long gone."

As the first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, Ethan stood outside the clinic, watching as Ray lit the controlled charges. The fire spread quickly, consuming the building in a bright, roaring blaze.

Grayson clapped a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "It's a shame to lose the place, Doc. But you'll build another one."

Ethan nodded silently, the flames reflecting in his eyes. The clinic had been his sanctuary, his way of giving back. Watching it burn felt like losing a part of himself.

Clara appeared beside him, her expression unreadable. "You did the right thing," she said. "Now let's make sure it wasn't for nothing."

The group didn't make it far before the sound of footsteps echoed through the empty alley. Ethan turned, his heart pounding as a group of armed men stepped into view. Their leader, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, grinned.

"Well, well," he said, leveling a gun at Ethan. "The Doc himself. You're worth quite a bit, you know."

Grayson stepped forward, his hand on his weapon. "If you think you're walking out of here alive, you've got another thing coming."

Before anyone could move, a sharp whistle cut through the air. A moment later, two of the bounty hunters dropped to the ground, tranquilizer darts sticking out of their necks.

"What the—" the leader started, but he didn't get to finish. A shadow moved behind him, and Ray stepped into the light, a tranquilizer gun in hand.

"Thought you could use some backup," Ray said, his voice calm as he aimed at another hunter.

The remaining men scattered, their leader shouting curses as they disappeared into the shadows.

Ethan let out a shaky breath. "Thanks," he said, turning to Ray.

Ray smirked. "What can I say? I'm getting used to saving your ass."

With the hunters temporarily out of the picture, the group made their way to one of Clara's safehouses—a hidden basement beneath an old warehouse. The space was small but functional, with enough supplies to get by.

"This isn't permanent," Clara said, unpacking a bag of medical tools. "But it'll give us time to regroup."

Ethan nodded, his mind still racing. The bounty had changed everything. He couldn't stay in one place for long, but he also couldn't abandon the people who relied on him.

"We'll figure it out," Ray said, reading his expression. "One step at a time."

Ethan looked at his makeshift team—Clara, sharp and resourceful; Ray, steady and reliable; and even Grayson, whose loyalty was grudging but genuine. For the first time since this nightmare began, he felt like he wasn't alone.

"Let's get to work," he said, pulling on his gloves. "We've got lives to save."