Alex lay on the old warehouse couch, staring at the ceiling. His muscles still ached from fighting Brutus, but his mind was racing too much to sleep.
We're on a list.
Brutus had known who they were. That meant someone powerful was keeping tabs on them.
And that meant more enemies were coming.
Evelyn sat nearby, flipping through stolen police reports on a tablet. "So, good news and bad news."
Alex groaned. "Why is there always bad news?"
Evelyn smirked. "Because life hates you."
Alex sat up. "Alright, let's hear it."
She tossed the tablet to him. "Good news: Brutus got arrested."
Alex frowned. "That… doesn't really feel like 'good news.'"
Evelyn shrugged. "Fine. Let's skip to the bad news." She pointed at the screen. "The police don't know where his suit came from. Meaning someone gave it to him."
Alex felt a chill run down his spine.
Evelyn continued, "And Brutus wasn't working alone. He was hired. Which means—"
"Whoever sent him is sending more," Alex finished.
Evelyn nodded. "Exactly."
A tense silence filled the room.
Alex exhaled. "Okay. So what do we do?"
Evelyn leaned back, thinking. Then she smirked. "We get stronger."
Alex blinked. "I was hoping for 'take a nap' or 'eat some pizza,' but sure. Let's suffer."
Evelyn chuckled. "Come on, time boy. Training starts now."
Elsewhere…
A mysterious figure stepped into a dark room, approaching the man who had been watching the footage of Alex.
"Brutus failed," the figure said simply.
The man nodded. "Expected."
The figure tilted their head. "Do we proceed with the next phase?"
The man smiled. "Yes. Send Specter."