The morning after the safehouse raid, sunlight barely filtered through the cracks of the abandoned subway car where Elias, Sophia, and Callum camped.
Sophia stretched, wincing slightly.
"That serum of yours better work wonders," she joked, poking Elias in the shoulder.
"You're becoming our bulletproof mascot."
Elias grinned faintly. "Feels like my body's made of springs right now."
Callum yawned, scratching his messy blond hair.
"I dreamed we finally made it to the coast. Fresh air. No bounty hunters. Actual coffee."
Sophia chuckled. "You dreaming or hallucinating?"
But before anyone could reply, a low rumble shook the tracks beneath them.
Callum's smile faded.
"Uh... guys?"
From down the tunnel, bright headlights cut through the darkness — an armored vehicle, roaring toward them at full speed.
Mercenaries again.
But this time, they weren't subtle.
---
"RUN!" Sophia barked.
They bolted, weaving between broken rails and rusted beams.
Elias felt his new agility kick in — faster reflexes, smoother movements.
It was like his body knew how to move.
Behind them, gunfire echoed through the tunnels.
Sparks flew as bullets struck metal and stone.
"Where's your fancy watch help now?!" Callum yelled as he ran, his voice cracking.
As if on cue, Elias' watch vibrated:
> [Emergency Task: Escape Pursuers - Bonus Reward: Sprinting Mastery I.]
> [Accept?] — [Yes]
Instantly, his speed surged.
He grabbed Callum by the backpack and practically dragged him forward, dodging debris with supernatural grace.
Sophia followed close behind, covering them with a scavenged pistol.
--
They burst out of a maintenance tunnel into the morning chaos of the city.
The street was already bustling with vendors, beggars, students — everyday people too busy surviving to notice three fugitives stumble out of a subway tunnel.
"Blend in," Elias muttered.
He quickly pulled out hats and masks from the safehouse bag, handing them out.
Now disguised, they merged into the crowd just as the mercenaries' vehicle screeched to a halt behind them.
The hunt was on.
---
New pursuers appeared — not grungy mercenaries, but slick men and women in tailored suits and earpieces.
They moved through the crowd with cold precision, scanning faces.
One particularly striking agent, a tall woman with dark skin, short platinum hair, and piercing blue eyes, locked eyes with Elias briefly before vanishing into the flow of pedestrians.
She knows, Elias thought grimly.
His watch buzzed again:
> [Special Notice: Elite Operatives Deployed - Danger Level: High.]
Sophia cursed under her breath.
Callum nearly walked into a fruit stand.
"Why do they always send the pretty scary ones?!" he whined.
Despite the tension, Elias cracked a rare grin.
"Because the ugly ones are busy losing."
---
They ducked into an alleyway, breathing heavily.
Sophia checked her weapon.
Callum doubled over, wheezing.
Elias stared at his watch, watching the radar fill with red dots — enemies closing in.
For the first time in a long time, doubt crept into his heart.
Was it even possible to escape forever?
Or would they have to turn around and start fighting back — for real?
He clenched his fists.
No more running soon, he promised himself.
Sooner or later... he'd have to stand and fight.
---
Agent Selene Voss (new):
Age: 32
Profession: Elite Tracker for ShadowGov
Skills: Tracking, hand-to-hand combat, manipulation.
Attitude: Cold, efficient, pragmatic.
Flaws: Underestimates emotional bonds.
Appearance: Dark brown skin, platinum buzz-cut hair, tall (5'10"), athletic build, piercing blue eyes, scar across her collarbone.
Personality: Ruthless but oddly fair; not cruel without purpose.
---