Shadows and Secrets

The city streets were eerily quiet as Evelyn and Theo moved through the narrow alleys, their steps muffled by the damp pavement. Dawn had barely broken, casting a grayish hue over the abandoned buildings.

Evelyn's wound still ached, but she pushed forward, determined not to slow them down. Theo walked beside her, his usual sharp vigilance present, but there was something else in his demeanor—a quiet protectiveness, like he was attuned to her every movement.

"Tell me again where we're heading," Evelyn said, breaking the silence.

Theo glanced at her, his voice calm yet firm. "Dr. Marcus Vance's last known location. There's a safe house in the northern district. If he's still alive, he might be there."

Evelyn nodded, adjusting the strap of her bag. "And if he's not?"

Theo's jaw tightened. "Then we find another lead."

Evelyn sighed, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on her. They had been running on breadcrumbs, chasing whispers and old records. If this turned out to be another dead end—

She shook off the thought. They had come too far to turn back now.

---

An Unexpected Obstacle

As they turned a corner, Theo suddenly raised his arm, stopping Evelyn in her tracks.

She tensed immediately. "What?"

Theo's gaze darkened. "We're not alone."

Evelyn's hand instinctively went to the knife tucked into her belt. Following Theo's line of sight, she spotted the group of men gathered near a warehouse entrance ahead. They weren't ordinary bystanders. The way they moved—the way their eyes scanned their surroundings—told her exactly who they were.

Mercenaries.

"Looks like someone else is after Vance," Theo muttered under his breath.

Evelyn's pulse quickened. "Do we avoid them?"

Theo considered for a moment before shaking his head. "No. If they're here, it means we're on the right track. We just have to get past them—quietly."

Evelyn smirked. "Stealth mission, then?"

Theo shot her a dry look. "Try not to enjoy it too much."

She rolled her eyes but followed his lead as they crouched behind a set of rusted containers, inching their way forward.

The mercenaries were talking among themselves, their voices low but audible.

"Boss says Vance never left the district."

"Then he's hiding. We need to flush him out."

Evelyn exchanged a look with Theo. If Vance was still here, they needed to find him first.

As they crept closer, one of the men shifted, his gaze sweeping the area. Theo reacted instantly, grabbing Evelyn and pulling her into the shadows behind a collapsed metal beam.

Her back hit his chest, and she barely bit back a gasp as his arm tightened around her waist, keeping them both still.

The mercenary's eyes scanned the area for a few seconds before turning back to his conversation.

Evelyn exhaled slowly. "Close," she whispered.

Theo's grip lingered a second longer before he released her. "We need a distraction."

Evelyn nodded, scanning their surroundings. Then she spotted it—an old fuse box hanging loosely from a nearby wall.

A plan formed in her mind.

"Cover me," she whispered.

Before Theo could argue, she slipped out of the shadows, moving swiftly toward the fuse box. her steps silent, her movements quick.

She reached the box and yanked a loose wire free. A single spark flickered—

Then the lights in the area flickered violently before shutting down entirely.

The mercenaries cursed, their attention snapping toward the sudden blackout.

"What the hell?"

"Power's out!"

Theo took advantage of the chaos. Before the men could react, he grabbed Evelyn's wrist, pulling her past them and toward the warehouse entrance.

They slipped inside just as the mercenaries started scrambling for their flashlights.

---

Finding Vance

The inside of the warehouse was just as dark as the streets outside, but it was quiet. Too quiet.

Evelyn's pulse was steady as she scanned the area. "Are we sure he's here?"

Theo didn't answer immediately. He was focused on something ahead.

Then he motioned for her to follow.

They moved deeper into the warehouse, weaving through crates and old equipment. The air smelled of rust and dust, but beneath it, there was something else—a faint trace of antiseptic.

Medical supplies.

They were in the right place.

Then, from the far end of the warehouse, a faint rustling sound echoed.

Theo signaled for Evelyn to stay back as he moved toward the noise. She followed closely, her grip tightening on her knife.

As they rounded the last set of crates, they saw him.

A man in his sixties, his frame thin but not frail, sat hunched over a set of scattered papers. His gray hair was disheveled, and his face was lined with exhaustion.

Dr. Marcus Vance.

He looked up sharply as he heard them approach, his eyes filled with fear.

"Who are you?" His voice was hoarse, edged with paranoia.

Theo raised his hands slightly, keeping his stance non-threatening. "We're not here to hurt you. We just need information."

Vance's gaze flickered between them. "You shouldn't be here. They'll find you."

Evelyn stepped forward. "Who?"

Vance shook his head. "The people who don't want the truth to come out."

Theo's expression didn't change, but his voice turned sharper. "Then we don't have much time. Tell us what you know."

Vance hesitated. Then, with a resigned sigh, he gathered the papers in front of him.

"You're looking for the truth," he murmured. "But you won't like what you find."

Evelyn exchanged a glance with Theo. They were finally getting answers.

But at what cost?

---

A Dangerous Revelation

Vance spread the documents before them, his hands trembling slightly. "This isn't just about me," he said. "This is bigger than all of us."

Evelyn leaned in, scanning the papers. They were old medical reports, classified documents, and surveillance logs.

And then she saw it.

A name she hadn't heard in years.

Her breath caught. "This can't be real."

Theo's jaw clenched as he read over her shoulder. His hands curled into fists.

Vance nodded grimly. "It is."

Evelyn's stomach churned.

Everything they thought they knew—everything they had been fighting for—

It was all connected.

And now, there was no turning back.

---

End of Chapter 11