The Silent Witness

lt – Kn

w, as the weight of the files she'd uncovered pressed down on her like a thousand bricks. Project Ascendant-The Rebirth-was a weapon desi

le hallways. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. A heartbeat passed. The

to turn around t

ce, smooth and dangerous.

s?" she demanded, holding up the files. "Project A

s gaze was cold, unreadable, but there was a flicker

ink," he said, his vo

voice rising. "This is mind control. Project Ascendant-The Rebirth-it's a weapon, not a br

t faze him. "You're being dramatic, Lia. The world is changing. This is the futur

us. "This isn't progress! It'

he took a slow, deliberate step closer to her. "You don't understand," he

broke the tension. Lia turned sharply and saw Dorian s

a mix of relief and urge

n the two men, but it was clear now that she couldn't stay in this buildin

ow but determined. "I'm done listening

u're making a mistake,"

ed forward. "Let's go, Lia," he sa

s softened just a fraction, but there was something in them-something

tter. She couldn

r word, followed Dorian down t

ech – T

palpable. Lia's pulse didn't slow; if anything, it quickened. The escape plan had gone fr

r, and Dorian paused

he murmured. "Just

hey couldn't afford to lose. She felt the coolness of the steel walls press against her skin, but her mind was a whirlpool of confus

of heavy boots filled the hallway. Security wa

ke it out," she whispe

eyes steely with determina

re surrounded. Guards came from a

n't think, couldn't breathe

using it to knock out the nearest guard with a swift swing. Lia's heart skipped a beat at the

g, and Lia realized they

ove when a familiar voice

ang through the air, comman

fr

d beside her. "

ble. "They've seen too much. I can't let them lea

fists clenched. "You'l

had slowed down. The two men were locked in a silent battle of wills, each unwill

ence, trembling but strong. "We'r

nk you can take me down?" He took a step closer, h

lling out a flash drive. He held it up, eyes steady. "This i

a flicker of something else-something more danger

already calculating his next move. He wasn't afraid.

reached a b

artment – A

r toward the nearest exit, which led into the maintenance hall. They ran, moving qu

deep breath. He didn't let go of her

want you to get pulled into this. But you wer

she admitted, frustration and hurt mixed in her voice. "I don

ot until I knew you could handle it

m the chase, from the confrontation, from everything that had happened in the past

ian's phone buzzed. He glance

id, his voice grim. "

tomach

't out of