Escape

A gunshot echoed through the grand hall, loud enough to drown out the chatter of high-ranking executives and clinking glasses. The moment seemed to stretch forever as the bullet carved its path, cutting through the air before finding its mark.

Pain erupted in Zale's leg, sharp and burning. His body jerked involuntarily, and his grip on the tray he was holding faltered. The wine glasses toppled, crashing to the floor as he staggered. Blood seeped through his pants, warm against his skin.

Jared's eyes widened in shock. "Zale!"

Before either of them could react, the room erupted into chaos. Executives screamed, waiters dropped trays, and security guards poured into the room like a flood. The CEO, a man with silvered hair slicked back and a perpetual smirk that had now vanished, stood frozen for just a second. Then, without hesitation, he turned and made a beeline for the exit.

"Get them!" one of the guards barked.

Zale gritted his teeth, fighting the pain in his leg. No. It wasn't supposed to go this way. They had planned everything. The disguise, the poisoned drinks, the timing—it had been perfect. Yet, something had tipped them off. Someone had been waiting for them.

Jared clenched his fists and turned toward the approaching guards, eyes burning with fury. "They knew we were coming," he growled.

Zale forced himself to move, staggering forward despite the pain. He didn't care about the guards. The CEO was getting away. He pushed past guests scrambling for safety and shoved aside a waiter in his way. His breathing was ragged, each step sending agony through his leg.

The CEO was almost at the rooftop stairs. If he got to the helicopter, this would all be for nothing.

A second shot rang out, barely missing Zale as he dived behind a table. Jared grabbed his arm and pulled him up, scanning the area. "We have to go. Now!"

Zale shook him off. "No. The CEO—"

Jared cursed. "He's already got a damn escape plan, Zale! You can barely stand!"

Zale knew he was right, but the bitterness of failure burned worse than the bullet wound. No. Not again. I won't let him slip away.

He pushed off the table and forced himself forward. The CEO had reached the rooftop door, two guards flanking him as they shoved it open. Wind howled into the building as the sound of helicopter blades whirred above them.

Zale's mind raced. I can't let him escape. He glanced at the fallen silver tray on the floor, reflecting the ceiling lights. A small idea formed in his mind. One shot. One chance.

He grabbed the tray and, with the last of his strength, hurled it like a discus toward the CEO's head.

The metal spun through the air—fast, precise.

The CEO turned at the last moment, his eyes widening. The tray smacked him in the face, knocking him backward into one of his guards. He stumbled, cursing.

Jared wasted no time. He lunged forward, taking down one of the security guards with a savage punch. "Move!" he yelled at Zale.

Zale pushed forward, adrenaline momentarily numbing the pain. He reached for the CEO's collar just as another gunshot roared.

White-hot pain shot through Zale's shoulder, forcing him to the ground. He gasped, his vision swimming.

"Zale!" Jared screamed.

The CEO straightened, rubbing his bruised face with a glare. Blood trickled from his nose, but he was grinning now. "Pathetic," he spat. "You really thought you could walk in here and kill me?"

Zale growled, trying to push himself up, but his body wasn't listening.

The CEO adjusted his cufflinks. "Take them."

More guards rushed forward, grabbing Jared and Zale before they could resist. Jared thrashed, cursing and spitting, but the guards overpowered him. Zale could barely fight back, his body too weak from the wounds.

The CEO stepped back, already walking toward the helicopter pad as the wind from the blades whipped his suit. He spared them one last glance, smirking. "Enjoy your stay in hell, gentlemen."

The last thing Zale saw before darkness claimed him was the helicopter lifting off, taking his target further and further away.

---

The Cage of Regret

Pain. That was the first thing Zale felt as consciousness returned. Dull, throbbing, ever-present pain that radiated from his leg and shoulder. His head pounded like a drum, and his mouth was dry.

He tried to move but found resistance—cold metal against his wrists. Cuffs.

A groan escaped him as he forced his eyes open. Dim light flickered above, casting long shadows over the grimy concrete walls of what looked like a basement or holding cell.

To his left, Jared sat slumped against the wall, bruised but breathing. His wrists were bound as well, though he looked far more alert than Zale felt.

"You're awake," Jared muttered. His voice was laced with frustration. "Took you long enough."

Zale swallowed, his throat raw. "Where…?"

Jared snorted. "Some kind of holding facility. Probably underground. No windows, no exits except the door they dragged us through. No clue how long we've been here."

Zale shifted, wincing at the pain. "And the CEO?"

Jared's jaw clenched. "Gone. Took off in the chopper. Bastard's probably celebrating right now while we rot in here."

The weight of failure settled in Zale's chest, heavier than any wound. We were so close.

Jared kicked the ground, frustrated. "They knew, Zale. Someone tipped them off. There's no way they had that many guards ready unless they expected us."

Zale's eyes darkened. Betrayal. Someone had sold them out.

His fingers curled into fists. He hated this feeling—being powerless, being trapped. He had clawed his way back from death once before, but this… this was different.

Jared exhaled sharply. "So, what now? You got some super-secret plan, or are we just gonna wait for them to execute us?"

Zale didn't answer immediately. His mind was already working, piecing things together. This isn't over. The CEO escaped, but he made a mistake. He let me live.

Slowly, Zale sat up, ignoring the pain. His lips curled into a smirk. "No. We're getting out of here."

Jared raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And how the hell are we doing that?"

Zale tilted his head, a strange glint in his eyes. "Because they don't realize something important."

Jared frowned. "What?"

Zale's smirk widened. "I don't die that easily."

The air around him shifted ever so slightly.

And for the first time since the infiltration had gone wrong, hope flickered in Jared's eyes.

The game wasn't over yet.