A Trap for a Ghost

6:00 PM – Abandoned Hotel, Downtown

The air smelled of mildew and dust, the once-grand hotel now reduced to a crumbling relic of the past. It was the perfect place for an ambush—isolated, forgotten, and filled with dark corners where shadows thrived.

Luca stood in the middle of the ballroom, adjusting the strap of his gun holster. He had been hunted long enough. Now? He was the hunter.

Henry was stationed on the upper balcony, his laptop glowing faintly in the dim light. Multiple camera feeds flickered on his screen, tracking every movement inside and outside the building.

Sofia crouched near the entrance, her gun steady in her hands. She was focused, but Luca knew she hated this plan. Baiting Ghost was dangerous.

But it was their only chance.

Henry's voice crackled through Luca's earpiece. "No sign of him yet."

Luca exhaled slowly. "He'll come."

—

Meanwhile – Across the Street

Ghost stood on the rooftop of a nearby building, watching through thermal binoculars.

He smirked. "So predictable, DeLuca."

The abandoned hotel was a trap. Luca thought he was being clever, setting the stage for a fight on his terms.

But Ghost wasn't just a killer.

He was a ghost for a reason.

—

Inside the Hotel

A noise.

A faint creak.

Sofia tensed, her finger hovering over the trigger. "Movement."

Luca signaled for silence, his heartbeat steady.

Henry's voice returned. "I don't see anyone on the cameras."

That was the problem.

Ghost didn't get caught on cameras.

Luca's grip on his gun tightened. "Get ready."

—

9:12 PM – The First Attack

A sudden explosion rocked the east wing.

BOOM!

Dust and debris rained down from the ceiling as the shockwave sent Henry sprawling backward.

Sofia spun around, shouting, "He's here!"

Luca stayed calm. Controlled. He had expected Ghost to strike first.

But he hadn't expected this.

The lights cut out.

A figure moved in the shadows—fast.

Sofia fired. Three shots. Each one hitting nothing but air.

Then—

A whisper near her ear.

"Too slow."

She turned, but it was too late.

Ghost struck like lightning, his fist connecting with her stomach, knocking the air from her lungs. She crumpled to her knees, gasping.

Luca moved, firing toward the movement.

A flicker of motion—Ghost dodged, vanishing into the darkness.

Henry groaned in Luca's earpiece. "We need to get out—he's tearing through us."

Luca ignored him, stalking forward. No more running.

This ends now.

—

Next Chapter: The Final Move – Luca vs. Ghost. No more games. No more shadows. Just a fight to the death.