DETOX

The hideout was far from perfect, but it would do. Nestled deep within the ruins of an old industrial complex, it was just isolated enough to buy them time.

Rusted beams stretched overhead, remnants of a collapsed ceiling letting in slivers of pale light. The air was thick with dust and the scent of damp metal, but at least it was shelter.

Shade dropped his gear with a groan, rolling his shoulder. "Well, it's not the Bastion, but at least we won't freeze."

Cipher was already hunched over his tablet, scanning for any signs of tracking. "Give me a few hours to set up countermeasures. The last thing we need is another ambush."

Myst stood near the entrance, arms crossed, scanning the dark corners of their new refuge. The adrenaline from their escape had worn off, leaving her mind clouded with everything that had happened—the attack, the fight, the way her body had responded without hesitation.

And, of course, Flux.

She exhaled sharply, shaking it off. Not now.

A quiet voice pulled her from her thoughts. "You good?"

Myst turned to find Nyx leaning against the wall, watching her. There was something unreadable in his expression—something Myst might have missed before.

"Yeah," Myst replied, studying Nyx in return. "You?"

Nyx's lips twitched into a smirk, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You sure? Because you've been a little... off. And trust me, I know what that looks like."

Myst raised a brow. "Funny. I was about to say the same about you."

For the briefest second, Nyx hesitated. It was barely there—a flicker of something uncertain before he rolled his shoulders and pushed off the wall. "Long day, that's all. Don't overthink it."

Myst wasn't convinced. Before she could press further, Nyx did something unexpected. He reached out, a light touch against Myst's arm. Reassuring, almost hesitant. "Just… watch your back, alright?"

Then, just as quickly, Nyx pulled away and walked off, leaving Myst staring after him, the weight of that warning settling uncomfortably in her chest.

Further inside the hideout, Flux sat on an overturned crate, methodically checking his weapons. Myst caught herself watching him before she could stop. His movements were precise, calculated—just like in the fight. Just like a while ago.

She forced herself to move, stepping closer. "You think this place will hold?"

Flux didn't look up. "For now. But we need a long-term plan."

Myst nodded, folding her arms. "And you? Holding up?"

That made him pause. He glanced up, searching her face for something before exhaling. "Could ask you the same."

The air between them stretched, heavy with everything unsaid. It wasn't just the near-death experiences or the uncertainty of their situation. It was the way they moved in sync without thinking, the way her instincts seemed to sharpen when he was near.

Before Myst could answer, Echo's voice cut through the tension. "Okay, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starving. Someone find us something that won't poison us."

The moment was gone. Flux gave a small nod, returning to his work. Myst turned away, but she could still feel the weight of his gaze.

She wasn't sure what was more dangerous. The enemies hunting them, or whatever was happening between them.

Razor stretched, rolling his shoulders before addressing the group. "Alright, we need supplies. Food, water, anything we can use for now. Someone needs to scout the area."

Myst straightened. "I'll go."

Immediately, multiple voices cut in.

"No way," Cipher said, not even looking up from his tablet.

Echo crossed his arms. "You're the reason we're being tracked in the first place. You can't risk it."

Myst argued. "I can handle myself. I know how to move unseen."

Flux's voice was firm. "It's not about that. If something happens to you, we don't have a backup plan."

She met his gaze, frustration rising in her chest. "And if something happens to you, then what? We just sit here and starve?"

Razor stepped between them, with hands raised. "Easy. No one's saying we do nothing. I'll go. Nyx and Echo can cover me."

Myst clenched her jaw, but she knew she wouldn't win this argument. Not now.

Flux watched her, his expression unreadable. "We're all making it out of this, sweetheart. That includes you."