Chapter 15: The Betrayal

Elena's breath echoed in the cold, damp tunnels as she and Sophie moved deeper into the darkness. The sound of their footsteps was the only thing that kept her tethered to reality, the uncertainty of the situation pressing down on her chest like a heavy weight.

Liam's voice had faded, but Elena couldn't shake the fear that gripped her. She glanced back over her shoulder, half-expecting him to appear out of the shadows, but the tunnel remained empty.

"What's taking him so long?" Elena muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sophie didn't answer immediately. Her eyes darted around, as if she were listening for something, but her expression remained unreadable.

"He's buying us time," Sophie finally said, her voice low and calm, but there was a tension in her words.

Elena didn't feel reassured. If Liam was in danger, then they were all in danger. Her heart thudded in her chest as she quickened her pace.

"We can't just wait here," Elena said, her voice sharp with frustration. "We have to do something."

Sophie stopped abruptly, turning to face her. "We wait. If you move now, you'll jeopardize everything."

Elena opened her mouth to argue, but something caught her attention—a distant sound, like the scraping of metal against stone. It was faint, but unmistakable.

"Do you hear that?" Elena whispered.

Sophie's expression hardened. "Stay close."

They continued forward, Sophie now leading the way with quick, deliberate steps. But Elena's mind was racing. She couldn't ignore the feeling gnawing at her, that they were being followed.

The sound grew louder, and Elena felt her skin prickle with unease. Something wasn't right.

They reached a narrow section of the tunnel, and Sophie abruptly turned to face Elena. "Stay behind me."

Before Elena could protest, Sophie pulled out a weapon—something sleek and dangerous, the cold gleam of metal catching the dim light.

"What's going on?" Elena asked, her voice shaking.

"Stay quiet," Sophie ordered, her tone clipped. "They're close."

Elena's pulse quickened. "Who's close?"

But before Sophie could answer, a flash of movement caught Elena's eye—a shadow moving swiftly down the tunnel toward them.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Sophie, look out!" Elena screamed, but it was too late.

The figure lunged from the shadows, a blur of motion, and before Elena could even react, Sophie was thrown backward, crashing against the stone wall. The weapon clattered to the ground, out of Sophie's reach.

Elena froze in horror, unable to comprehend what was happening.

The figure stood over Sophie, its face obscured by a dark hood, but the glint of recognition flashed in Elena's mind.

The person who had attacked Sophie wasn't a stranger.

It was Liam.

But it couldn't be.

"Liam!" Elena cried, taking a step forward.

The figure—Liam—turned slowly, and Elena's blood ran cold. His eyes were no longer the warm, familiar ones she had come to trust. They were cold, distant. His face was hard, like stone, and for a moment, Elena didn't recognize him at all.

"No," she whispered, the words barely escaping her lips.

Liam didn't speak. He just stood there, silent and unmoving, like he was waiting for something—or someone.

Sophie groaned from the floor, her hand reaching for the weapon she had dropped, but she didn't make it in time.

Liam moved faster than Elena could blink, kicking the weapon further out of reach.

"Get up," he said, his voice as cold as his eyes.

Elena took a step back, her mind racing. "What are you doing? Why—why are you attacking her?"

Liam's gaze flicked toward her, but there was no recognition in his eyes. He didn't seem like the man she knew, the one who had fought to protect her.

"This isn't personal," he said, his voice flat, almost mechanical.

Sophie pushed herself to her feet, struggling to stand, but she didn't get far. Liam was already moving toward her again, his movements swift and precise.

"No! Stop!" Elena shouted, rushing toward him. "Please, stop!"

But Liam didn't stop. Instead, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a small device, pressing a button.

Elena's heart stopped. A soft beep echoed through the tunnel, and for a brief moment, she felt like the world had shifted beneath her feet.

The sound that followed wasn't just the device. It was something much worse.

The walls of the tunnel trembled, a low rumble vibrating through the stone. The ground shook violently, and the air seemed to thicken with electricity.

Then, Elena realized.

The trap had been set.

Liam had triggered something.

Sophie's eyes widened in realization, and she turned to Elena. "We have to go. Now."

But before Elena could move, the tunnel lit up with a blinding flash.

Liam's figure vanished into the light, disappearing without a trace.

Cliffhanger

When the light faded, Elena was alone.

The tunnel was eerily quiet. Sophie was gone, and the only sound left was the distant echo of Elena's breath.

And then, a voice.

A voice she knew.

"I'm sorry, Elena…"

It was Liam's voice.

But it wasn't him.