Chapter 4: Suburbs

Alex pushed the window with all his strength, which opened with resistance, creaking ominously. The rain, which had just begun to fall, immediately hit them with cold drops. He looked down - the distance was shorter than he thought. They had a chance.

- Jump! - he shouted, though he wasn't sure what the consequences of falling would be.

They stood up, slipping on the rain-wet cobblestones, then immediately clung to the wall. Dawn was slowly spilling over New York City, but for them it brought no solace. On the contrary, the light of morning had no power to dispel the darkness that seemed to draw them deeper and deeper. The pain in Alex's shoulder became dull but constant, as if reminding him that he was on the verge of something far worse than physical exhaustion.

The rain drummed against the asphalt, making quiet, ominous music as they ran through the dark alleys of Brooklyn. Their escape was no longer just a fight against pursuers, but also against time and exhaustion. The rain was cold and drops ran down their faces, mixing with the sweat and blood Alex was still losing from the wound in his arm. They were exhausted, but they had no choice - they had to keep running.

- We need to find a car," Isabella chuckled, panting heavily. She looked behind her, but she didn't see anyone anymore. This did not mean, however, that they were safe. The opponents were probably too familiar with the job to let go so easily.

- And where do you think we'll get it from? - Alex asked, though he knew Isabella already had a plan. She knew the area better than anyone, and although they had been on the move for several hours, she gave the impression that she knew where they were headed.

- I know someone," she replied. - It is not someone who can be fully trusted, but.... This is our only chance.

They reached a small side street where an old, dilapidated building stood. It had only three floors, and most of the windows were boarded up, as if no one had lived there for years. Except for one thing - there was an old, neglected car in the driveway that looked like it had been abandoned there long ago.

- Is it here? - Alex looked at her, wondering what she was going to do now.

- Yes," Isabella wasted no time in unnecessary deliberations.

She approached the front door, which looked like it was about to fall apart, and knocked three times, quietly but firmly. A few seconds passed, which seemed to drag on for an eternity, before the door swung open enough for light to emerge from inside. A man stood in the threshold - short, overgrown, with eyes that said he had seen more than he should have. His face betrayed surprise, but also anxiety, when he saw Isabella.

- What are you doing here bird? - he asked, and barely concealed irritation could be heard in his voice.

- We need a car, Dan," she replied without further explanation. Her tone was cold, and the desperation evident in her eyes did not escape Alex.

Dan looked at her for a moment, as if wondering whether to open the door wider at all. Alex felt the tension build up between them, but before he could say anything, the man turned on his heel and gestured them inside.

- Get in before someone sees you," he threw over his shoulder.

They entered a small, dark apartment, which was a mess. Empty bottles, old newspapers and food scraps lay on the table and floor. The room was cramped and stuffy, and the smell of dampness and cigarettes was almost unbearable. Alex looked around, struggling to hold back a hint of disgust.

- The car is outside," Dan said, pulling the keys out of his pocket. - But you know how it works. Nothing for free.

Isabella pressed her lips together, looked at Alex and then at Dan.

- I'll pay you back, Dan. But now we have to blow. Please.

The man stared at her for a moment, assessing whether he could trust her. Finally, he shrugged his shoulders, as if agreement was just a formality, and threw the keys in Isabella's direction.

- Take it and disappear. Oh, gold seal the little one, it's leaking like a bottle," he said, walking to the door. - Remember, I'll be back to get mine.

- Thanks," Isabella chuckled dryly, grabbing the keys and turning to leave.

They wasted no time. They ran outside, and the rain was still pouring, as if the whole city wanted to force them to stop. Isabella opened the old car, and the engine, though barely panting, startled. Alex took the passenger seat, trying to hold his bleeding arm, which was beginning to hurt more and more.

- Where to now? - He asked, trying to control his fear and fatigue.

- Jersey," Isabella replied, putting the car in gear and starting off with a squeal of tires. - I know someone who can help us.

The road to the suburbs was long and bumpy. The car could barely manage, and the windshield wipers struggled against the rain that would not stop pouring. Alex looked at the passing streets, which were becoming less and less lit and more deserted. He sat in silence, feeling a throbbing pain in his shoulder. The wound was beginning to wear him out, but he had to remain conscious. He watched Isabella, who drove the car with determination and some anxiety painted on her face. Although her hands held the steering wheel confidently, fatigue could be read in her eyes.

Despite the late hour, the city seemed to never sleep, but now its dark, forgotten corners seemed to engulf their escape. After a long hour of driving, they reached the outskirts. The neighborhood was quite different from the crowded Manhattan. The houses were spread out, separated by wide driveways and small gardens. However, these suburbs, unlike the idyllic image from the movies, seemed more bleak. The dark, rainy skies and lack of people on the streets gave the neighborhood an ominous feel.

The car stopped in front of one of the houses. It was old but well maintained, with a white wooden fence surrounding the driveway. Tall trees cast long shadows on the lawn, and the lantern lights were too dim to illuminate the space. The house seemed isolated, as if hidden in the shadows of larger buildings. Isabella turned off the engine and looked at the building.

- It's here," she said quietly.

- Who is this person? - he asked, although his voice sounded more anxious than curious.

 - A friend from the old days. Ava," answered Isabella after a moment's hesitation, "She is the only person I can trust. At least enough to keep us hidden for a while.

-Are you sure we can trust her? - asked Alex, feeling his heart start to beat faster and faster.

Isabella looked at him, and there was something in her eyes that Alex had not seen before - fear. However, after a moment she nodded.

- We have to," she replied briefly.

Before he had time to ask more, Isabella got out of the car, and Alex, despite the fact that every cell in his body was screaming to get out of here, followed her. Raindrops ran down their clothes, and the wind seemed to reinforce the sense of uncertainty. Alex felt his hand begin to tremble with exhaustion, but he had to endure. Not now, not here. They approached the door, and an ominous silence reigned around them. The rain had stopped, but the air was heavy and thick. Isabella knocked on the door, three quick knocks, and then fell silent. The silence that fell was almost unbearable. For a moment it seemed that no one would open, but after a while the door slowly swung open and a woman stood in the threshold.

Ava Thompson was tall, with a slender figure and long, light hair falling loosely to her shoulders. Her blue eyes sparkled in the twilight, but her face expressed a mixture of anxiety and surprise. She was wearing a gray, simple sweater and jeans, and her elegance was almost natural, although it was clear that her thoughts were somewhere else.

- Isabella? - she asked, her voice full of uncertainty.

- Ava, we have to go in," Isabella replied quickly, not giving her time to think. - We don't have time to explain, someone is chasing us.

Ava didn't answer for a moment, but seeing Alex's condition - his soaked clothes, pallor and a wound that was beginning to seriously fester - she opened the door wider.

- Come in, quickly," she said, and her tone changed from surprise to seriousness.

They went inside, and Alex was immediately relieved. The house was cozy, filled with warmth and the smell of freshly brewed tea. Large windows overlooked the garden, and the furniture was modern, though kept in subdued colors. The place seemed safe, almost too peaceful for what they had just experienced. Ava closed the door behind them and immediately turned her attention to Alex.

- What happened? - She asked, looking at his arm, which was now bleeding more heavily, and the material of his jacket was almost completely soaked through.

- I think I was shot," replied Alex, trying to control the pain. - It's nothing serious...

- Seriously? - he was interrupted by Ava, leading him to the kitchen, where she immediately pulled out a first aid kit - You were probably shot? I need to bandage it. Sit down.

Isabella stood to the side, watching everything in silence, while Ava gently uncovered the wound and began dressing it. Every movement was precise, as if she had done it hundreds of times before.

- You should go to the hospital," she said quietly, glancing at Isabella, but the latter shook her head.

- We can't. They are looking for us. - Her voice was firm and tense.

Ava was silent for a moment, continuing her work, and then sighed.

- Ok. But you have to tell me what is going on. I can't help you if I don't know what you've gotten yourself into again?

Isabella looked at her and then at Alex, who was fighting exhaustion. She knew they had no way out.

- I ran into something, accidentally...well, and somehow it happened," Isabella began, sitting down at the table, her voice quiet but clear. - It's about Heart Investments.

Ava stopped dressing Alex for a moment, her face clouded.

Really? - she asked - I told you it was a swamp.

- I know, but they are my friends. Our families," Isabella lowered her gaze. - I knew it was a cesspool, but I didn't expect it to affect everyone. They now want to liquidate me because I know too much. And he... got involved in this by sheer coincidence.

Ava froze for a moment, as if analyzing every word.

- So. it's not just about the silly games of bored rich chumps? - she asked, and her face became more serious.

- No," replied Isabella. - It's something much more serious.

Ava dressed Alex's wound and then stood up, looking around as if wondering what she should do.

- I don't know if this place is safe enough," she finally said. - But you are lucky that no one knows you are here yet. You will have to hide better. And quickly.

The silence that fell in the kitchen was like the darkness that filled the room. Alex sat still in exhaustion, looking at Isabella and Ava. The wound in his arm had been treated, but the pain was oppressive, throbbing like a reminder of the foolishness he had done. The world, which a moment ago seemed filled with running and fleeing, suddenly froze, as if their enemies had given them a moment's respite. However, this silence was as illusory as a pause before the next strike. Ava squatted at the kitchen table, reaching out for a cup of tea. Her hands were calm, though a shadow of worry lurked in her eyes. The light from the kitchen window was pale, the rain was still rumbling against the roof, creating a sound that grew in the background, as if the whole world was breathing along with them.

- How long will we stay here? - asked Alex, glancing at Isabella, who had been silent since she started the story.

He knew Ava needed more answers, but the most important thing now was to find a safe place where they could hide for longer. Ava seemed able to help, but the look on her face said it wouldn't be that easy.

- We can't stay here for more than a couple of hours," replied Ava, not taking her eyes off the window, as if at any moment she expected to see the shadow of someone's face behind it, "This is the suburbs, but people here know more than you think. If someone sees your grata on the street then sooner or later questions and denunciations will start.

Isabella looked at Ava with gratitude, but also with concern.

- We have no other place. I can't go back to the city, not now," she replied, in a soft, almost vulnerable voice, which rarely happened with her.

Ava was silent for a while, her eyes glittering in the light of the candles that burned on the kitchen table. Finally, she sighed heavily and made a decision.

- I have one such place. Old, neglected, no one looks there," she said, and her voice sounded like she was saying it more to herself than to them, "It's on the outskirts, near the old factory. Maybe you can hide there, at least for a while.

Alex looked at her with a mixture of relief and anxiety. On the one hand, he knew they had no choice - they needed a safe place where they could catch their breath. But on the other hand, every minute here seemed to be just a postponement of the inevitable confrontation.

- How far from here? - He asked, still trying to assess their chances.

- About twenty minutes by car," she replied, "But no one looks there. The owner died a few years ago. The bank has not yet taken over the building. It's one of those abandoned places that people forget about over time.

- Sounds perfect," Alex muttered, feeling his body begin to succumb to fatigue, "But what next?

Isabella looked at him hard, but her face betrayed extreme fatigue.

- It's only for a while," she said, "We need time to prepare. But we can't hide forever. We have to find a way to get out of this.

Ava rose from her chair, walking over to the window. She was silent for a moment, looking outside.

I don't know who those who are chasing you are, but from what you say.... they are not nice people," she spoke quietly, her voice trembling slightly. - But if there is someone to help you, you will not find that person here, but rather in the city. Since they have control over everyone around you then maybe you can find someone who is not subject to it?

- What do you have in mind? - Isabella asked, sensing that Ava was trying to suggest something.

Ava turned around with a serious look on her face

- I know it sounds crazy, but there are places where their influence doesn't exist. Maybe you can find someone who has enough balls to deal with them. I only know one person who could help you, but she lives far away.

- Where? - Alex asked, feeling his heart begin to speed up again.

Ava was silent for a moment, as if wondering if she should say more. Finally, she answered:

- In Virginia. She is an old acquaintance of my father. She knows how this world works, but at the same time she is out of touch with it. Celia. She's ... well... a bit strange, but she can help you if you get to her.

- Virginia? - Alex raised his eyebrows - It's a long way from here.

- I know," replied Ava. - But you don't stand a chance here. If you stay in New York, sooner or later they will find you.

Isabella looked at Alex, and a shadow of hope appeared in her eyes.

- This is our only chance," she said quietly. - We have to try.

Alex sighed heavily, feeling his body finally give up. He knew they had little time. They had to move on before anyone found them.

- Okay," he said, rising from his chair, even though his arm pulsed with pain. - We'll go there. But first we need to rest.

Ava nodded her head.

- Leave the car here," she said, pointing to the car they arrived in. - If someone finds it, you'll be on target right away. I'll repark this corpse a few blocks away. You will drive mine.

After sleeping for a few hours, when the rain had almost stopped, Alex and Isabella headed out. Ava escorted them to their car - an old, dark blue Ford sedan that looked inconspicuous enough not to arouse suspicion. Before they got in, Ava grabbed Isabella's hand.

- Be careful," she said quietly. - And remember, don't trust anyone.

Isabella nodded, and then the two exchanged quick glances. Alex started the engine, and as they pulled out of the driveway, he glanced in the mirror, seeing Ava standing on the doorstep of her house, looking behind them. The rain, though it had weakened, was still drizzling from the sky, and the streets of the suburbs had become quiet and deserted again. The road to Virginia was supposed to be their only salvation, but Alex felt that every mile would become more and more difficult. The world that had once seemed so simple now resembled a maze full of secrets. And they were right in the middle of it.

The trip to Virginia passed in silence, interrupted only by the hum of the wheels on the wet pavement and the sound of the wind as it jammed against the car windows. Alex held the steering wheel tightly, trying not to think about what awaited them. Images of the past few days kept running through his mind: the mysterious people, the gunshot, the desperate escape. But this was not the end. He knew that the worst was yet to come. Isabella sat next to him, looking out the window, disappearing with her thoughts somewhere far away. They hadn't talked much the whole way, but now that they were close to their destination, the silence was becoming increasingly unbearable.

- You must tell me the truth about Heart Investments," said Alex suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but full of determination - Damn it Is! I've peeled off and I won't take any more action unless I find out what I'm dealing with.

Isabella did not avert her eyes from the window, but her face hardened, as if every word would tear out the part of her she wanted to hide.

- Well. In truth, it was supposed to be just a game of rich kids," she began quietly, as if she were talking more to herself than to him. - A game in which we manipulated feelings, played with sex, stimulants, romances were mere transactions, and we converted new acquaintances into mutual benefits such as access to family secrets or financial information. We had fun destroying others. Weaker or less resistant to hegemony.

Alex furrowed his brow, but said nothing, giving her time to explain further.

- But beneath the surface, it was more than an ordinary club. It's... A kind of system that controls us. Our families, our money, our influence, the dirt, the dark face of Manhattan. It's all interconnected in a way that no one can see until they start digging deeper," she continued, her voice gaining more and more weight. - Heart Investments is just a mask. Underneath which are hidden the people who actually run this city in a way that is so disgusting that it makes me sick to my stomach at the thought of it so far. And you know me I could eat a rotten egg, but I can't digest this," she mused for a moment and her face took on a grimace of disgust as if she was about to vomit. Then she looked ahead, adding, -Our families are part of this system, whether we want it or not. And once you get into this game, there is no turning back.

- How did you discover this? - Asked Alex, trying to keep his concentration on the road, although every word she said shook him more and more.

Isabella sighed heavily, as if the answer was something she had long tried to hide even from herself.

- I got too deeply into the game. I thought I could control what was happening, that I could win and not suffer the consequences. But in fact, I was the pawn. I began to discover things that were uncomfortable for many of the people behind it all. When I saw too much of them and before I knew it I had crossed the line and the protective umbrella had expired.... they began to pursue me.

Alex felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He knew that the game they were all playing was dangerous, but he didn't expect it all to go so deep.

- Who are these people? - He finally asked. - The ones who pursued you?

Isabella looked at him for the first time in a long time. Her face was pale, and fatigue was evident in her eyes.

- I don't know all the details," she admitted, "But I know one thing: these are not people who play by fair rules. They have their methods, and once you stand in their way, they won't let you leave. They are the real Heart Investments.

Alex was silent, but thousands of thoughts were swirling in his head. He knew that their situation was much more complicated than he had imagined. Heart Investments was no longer just a club of rich kids. It was a matrix that was not so easy to get out of. He looked at her, but instead of relief, he felt the weight of the decision he was about to make. He knew he couldn't stay here. He couldn't run away while New York was still bustling with his friends, and his aunt - the only person close to him - could start looking for him and accidentally run into these people which could lead to tragedy. And he couldn't let that happen. Isabella's pursuers did not know him well. The man in the hood only saw him for a moment, and it was quite dark. He could go back to the city, try to operate in the shadows.

- Will you stay here with me? - Isabella asked, looking at him uncertainly. - It will be safer if you also hide. They won't stop until they do.

Alex sighed heavily, staring at the forest they were slowly reaching.

- I can't," he said quietly but firmly, "I have to go back to New York. They probably didn't see me well enough for me to be in their sights. There in New York it was just a moment. Besides... if I disappear, my aunt will start looking for me. That could bring even more trouble on her. I have to go back and find out more about how to help you.

Isabella looked at him with understanding, although there was a shadow of fear in her eyes.

- You know it's dangerous," she said quietly, "But I understand. Just... be careful.

Alex nodded.

- You too," he replied, looking at the house under the forest, "Will you leave me some contact? If I need to contact you?

Isabella reached into her bag and pulled out a small notebook. She tore a sheet of paper out of it and wrote the phone number on it.

- Call only if you have to . It's a prepaid number," she said, handing him a piece of paper, "We can't risk permanent contact.

He stopped the car in front of the house. He took the note and put it in his jacket pocket. He knew that returning to New York would not be easy, but he had to take the risk. He looked at it, wondering if he would see her again. He hoped he had left her in good hands.

Isabella stood on the doorstep of the house, staring at the car until it disappeared on the horizon.

The road to New York was long and quiet. Alone in the car, Alex had time to think, though he didn't feel any calmer. Every second separating him from Isabella's house was both a step closer to unknown danger, but also in a sense a step back to normalcy. Returning to the city, he knew he was becoming part of a game whose rules were even more convoluted than he initially thought. He knew he had to act quickly and carefully. However, he could not stay in Virginia. No one could know that he had left the city at all. He knew New York well enough to know what place to point to if they asked where he had been for those dozen hours. Too much was pulling him back to New York - not only the fear that his aunt would start looking for him, but also the conviction that he had to do something. Hiding was not his style. He remembered Isabella on the doorstep of the abandoned house and knew that for her, this escape was the only way to save herself. But for him? For him, it was a challenge.

But one thing was certain: whatever he discovers, there will be no going back.