The Calm Before the Storm

The flashing red and blue lights illuminated the rain-soaked streets as the police swarmed the alley. Emma let out a shaky breath, her muscles tense as she finally released her grip on Lena. The woman slumped against the wall, her face twisted in defiance, but she didn't resist as two officers grabbed her arms and secured her in cuffs.

"You took your time," Marcus muttered as he approached Emma, his gun still drawn just in case.

She gave him a weak smirk. "Had to make sure she didn't get away."

Lena let out a soft chuckle as the officers pulled her back. "You think this means anything?" she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "You think arresting me is a victory?"

Emma wiped at the blood on her lip, her eyes hard. "It's a start."

One of the officers nodded at them. "We'll take it from here," he said. "You should get that wound checked out."

Emma barely registered his words. The adrenaline was wearing off, and pain was creeping back into her shoulder. She turned to Alexander, who had been watching the scene with his usual unreadable expression.

"We should go," she said. "Before more of them show up."

Alexander nodded, stepping forward. "We're not safe yet."

Marcus shot a glance at Lena, who was being led toward one of the waiting squad cars. "She's right about one thing," he muttered. "The Collective won't just let this go."

Emma exhaled, knowing he was right.

Lena was just one piece of a much bigger game.

And they had only just begun.

---

The drive back to their safe house was quiet. Emma sat in the backseat, pressing a makeshift bandage against her shoulder. Every bump in the road sent fresh pain through her, but she gritted her teeth and kept her focus on the city lights flashing past.

Alexander was at the wheel, his grip on the steering tight. He hadn't spoken much since they left the scene.

"You're too quiet," Emma finally said, breaking the silence.

Alexander didn't look at her. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

He sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. "Lena was a lieutenant. That means she wasn't working alone. There are more of them out there. And they won't take this loss lightly."

Emma leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes for a moment. "We knew this wasn't going to be easy."

"No," Alexander admitted. "But we have to be prepared. Things are only going to get worse from here."

Marcus, who had been flipping through a file in the passenger seat, glanced back at them. "We have bigger problems," he said. "I checked the database before we left. The Collective has been moving assets. They're planning something."

Emma frowned. "What kind of something?"

Marcus hesitated. "That's the problem. I don't know. But whatever it is, it's big."

A heavy silence settled in the car.

Emma clenched her jaw.

They weren't done.

Not by a long shot.

---

By the time they arrived at the safe house, the exhaustion was hitting her full force. Emma barely made it through the door before collapsing onto the worn-out couch.

"Let me look at that," Alexander said, kneeling beside her.

"I'm fine," she mumbled.

Alexander shot her a look. "You got shot, Emma. Humor me."

She sighed but didn't resist as he carefully pulled back the bloodied bandage. His fingers were gentle as he inspected the wound.

"You're lucky," he muttered. "The bullet went through clean, no major damage."

Emma smirked. "Lucky isn't the word I'd use."

Alexander rolled his eyes. "Hold still."

He worked quickly, cleaning and rebandaging her wound with practiced efficiency. Emma watched him, noting the way his brows furrowed in concentration.

"You've done this before," she said.

Alexander nodded. "Too many times."

A beat of silence passed between them.

Then, softly, he said, "You scared me back there."

Emma blinked, caught off guard by his honesty. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

Alexander met her gaze, something unreadable in his eyes. "Yeah," he said. "You are."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with something unspoken.

Then, Marcus cleared his throat from the other side of the room. "Hate to break up whatever this is," he said, "but we've got work to do."

Emma pulled her eyes away from Alexander, exhaling as she sat up straighter.

"Right," she said. "What's next?"

Marcus set a file on the table. "We find out what the Collective is planning."

Emma nodded.

There was no time to rest.

This was far from over.