No Turning Back

The world around Emma was in chaos. The city's neon lights flickered above them, reflecting in the pools of rainwater on the cracked pavement. Lena stood just a few feet away, her expression a mix of amusement and cold calculation.

"You really think you're going to win this?" Lena said, tilting her head slightly. "You don't even know what you're up against."

Emma clenched her fists. She wasn't about to let Lena intimidate her—not now. "We know enough. And we're not stopping."

Lena let out a small laugh. "Brave words," she said. "But bravery won't save you."

Without warning, Lena raised her hand, and suddenly, the alley was filled with the sound of boots hitting pavement. More of the Collective's agents were emerging from the shadows, their weapons drawn, their faces emotionless.

"We're surrounded," Marcus muttered under his breath, shifting his stance.

"Doesn't matter," Alexander said, tightening his grip on his gun. "We've been in worse situations."

But even as he spoke, Emma could feel the tension thickening in the air. This wasn't like before. The numbers were overwhelming, and they all knew it.

Lena stepped forward, her high heels clicking against the wet ground. "You have one last chance," she said, looking directly at Emma. "Hand over the data, and I might just let you live."

Emma let out a slow breath. "Not happening."

Lena sighed, as if she were disappointed. "Then you leave me no choice." She raised her hand, signaling her men.

And then—

A gunshot rang through the air.

Lena barely had time to react before a bullet whizzed past her, grazing her arm. She gasped, staggering back. Her expression darkened instantly.

"Take them down!" she screamed.

The battle erupted in an instant.

Emma ducked as bullets flew past her. She moved quickly, her body reacting on instinct. Alexander was already firing back, his shots precise and deadly. Marcus had taken cover behind a stack of crates, returning fire with sharp accuracy.

"Emma, move!" Alexander shouted.

She didn't hesitate. She sprinted towards the nearest exit, knowing that staying in one place meant certain death. The Collective's agents were highly trained, their movements precise. If they didn't act fast, they would be overwhelmed.

But then—

A sharp pain shot through Emma's shoulder.

She gasped, stumbling as she felt the warmth of blood seeping into her clothes. She had been hit.

"Emma!" Marcus was by her side in an instant, grabbing her before she fell. "We need to get you out of here."

Emma gritted her teeth. "No," she hissed. "We finish this."

Marcus looked at her like she was insane. "You're bleeding out!"

Before she could respond, another explosion rocked the alleyway. The shockwave sent them both sprawling.

Emma's vision blurred for a second. The pain in her shoulder throbbed, but she forced herself to stay conscious. Through the smoke and chaos, she saw Lena standing at the far end of the alley, watching them with narrowed eyes.

And then—Lena turned and ran.

"She's getting away!" Emma pushed herself up, ignoring the searing pain.

Alexander caught sight of Lena retreating and cursed under his breath. "We can't let her escape!"

"Go," Marcus said, grabbing his gun again. "I'll cover you!"

Emma didn't waste another second. She pushed forward, dodging bullets as she chased after Lena. The rain poured down harder, soaking through her clothes as she sprinted down the street.

Lena was fast—but Emma was faster.

She closed the distance, her breath ragged, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Lena glanced back, her eyes widening slightly as she saw how close Emma had gotten.

"You don't know when to quit, do you?" Lena called over her shoulder.

Emma didn't answer. She just ran.

Finally, she lunged—grabbing Lena's arm and yanking her back. The two of them stumbled, crashing into a nearby wall.

Lena growled in frustration, shoving Emma away. "You think this ends with me?" she snapped. "You think taking me down will change anything?"

Emma wiped blood from her lip, breathing hard. "I think it's a damn good start."

Lena's eyes flashed with something unreadable. Then, to Emma's surprise, she smiled.

"Then let's end this," Lena said.

And just like that, the fight began.

Lena was quick—faster than Emma expected. She dodged Emma's first punch easily, countering with a sharp kick to Emma's ribs. Emma grunted, staggering back.

But she didn't fall.

She came back swinging, landing a solid hit on Lena's jaw.

Lena stumbled, but she recovered quickly, wiping the blood from her mouth. "Not bad," she admitted. "But not good enough."

The fight continued, brutal and unrelenting.

Emma knew she was running on fumes. The bullet wound in her shoulder was sapping her strength, and every movement sent fresh waves of pain through her body. But she refused to give up.

Lena, on the other hand, seemed almost unaffected. She was trained—honed like a weapon.

But Emma wasn't just fighting for herself.

She was fighting for everyone the Collective had hurt.

For everyone who had suffered.

For everyone who deserved a future.

With a final burst of strength, Emma dodged Lena's next attack and drove her knee hard into Lena's stomach. Lena gasped, doubling over.

Emma didn't hesitate.

She grabbed Lena by the collar and slammed her against the wall.

"It's over," Emma panted, her grip tight.

Lena glared up at her, defiant even in defeat. "You think arresting me will stop the Collective?" she spat. "You're a fool, Emma. This fight is bigger than you. Bigger than me."

Emma stared at her, breathing heavily.

Then, sirens filled the air.

Backup had arrived.

Lena laughed bitterly. "You'll never win."

Emma's grip tightened. "Watch me."

And as the authorities swarmed the alley, guns raised, Emma finally let herself breathe.

It wasn't over.

Not yet.

But it was a start.