Later that evening, Maya parked a few blocks away from a modest suburban house, the evening sun casting long shadows across the street. Her heart thudded in her chest as she walked up the driveway. She rehearsed her words over and over, knowing no explanation could truly ease the pain in her heart.
She knocked gently, and a woman in her thirties opened the door, eyes red-rimmed from crying. She froze when she saw Maya, uncertain whether to invite her in.
"Mrs. Cross?" Maya began softly, keeping her tone calm. "I… I'm Maya. I knew Mr.Ethan Cross, your husband. He… he saved me. And protected my friends."
The woman's lips trembled, her eyes narrowing in confusion and hope, "He… He's alive?"
Maya shook her head, trying to hold back her own tears, "No. He… he didn't make it. Me, Him, and three other people were captured by the same organization that is causing people to go missing recently. He fought so we could survive. I wanted you to know… that he was brave, that he loved you, and he didn't suffer in vain. He told me to tell you that...He was sorry. We're going to make sure what happened to him doesn't happen to anyone else. I promise we'll get justice for him."
Tears streamed down the woman's face, but a small flicker of relief passed through her eyes. She reached for Maya's hands, gripping them tightly. "Thank you… for telling me, I—I just… I need to know he mattered, that his fight meant something. He always did the same when he was in the army."
"He did," Maya assured Mrs.Cross and hugged her tightly as she wept, "We'll carry on, for him. I promise."
The Next Day
Maya, Rory, and Jace met up at a cafe to discuss a strategy to save Lena. The cafe, named A Taste of Autumn, was very popular in their city. Customers would crowd the seats every morning, eating various cakes, muffins, pudding, and drink lattes. However, apart from the three of them, there were only 5 other customers, which made the whole situation more real. Everyone was scared to leave their house. Maya invited Clarissa not long after they settled.
"Morning, guys, this is Clarissa, my best friend," she said, gesturing for Clarissa to sit, "And before you say anything, I trust her so she's the only person I told everything to."
Rory smiled, shaking her hand, "Very well, nice to meet you, Clarissa. I'm Rory, and this is Jace."
Jace nodded, "Greetings."
Clarissa had a slight blush on her cheeks as she tried not to look at Jace.
"I hope you aren't too overwhelmed by what Maya has told you because its reality. And we have to move fast to save Jace's girlfriend, Lena," Rory continued, "Would you like to help us?"
Clarissa's face faltered slightly, then she looked at Maya, "Are you sure?"
Maya smiled, "Of course, we would really benefit a lot, especially with your Taekwondo skills."
"Alright, I'm in."
We need a plan," Jace said, stirring his black coffee slowly, "We can't just rush in like we did before. Lena… she's in worse shape now."
Maya agreed, "I looked up the coordinates that led to a warehouse. It has to be where they're keeping her."
Clarissa raised her hand, "We'll need weapons and communication devices."
Jace leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "We'll also need transportation to get there quickly. If we're walking in, we'll be spotted before we even reach the building."
"Which is why I called Jackson, my older brother," Rory said quietly. "He can drive us there and wait outside while we find Lena inside."
Afterwards, they left the cafe and went to a friend of Jace to get licensed weapons.
That evening, after a tense day of preparation, the group gathered at Jace's apartment for a final meal before departure. The air was thick with unease; forks clinked on plates and glasses occasionally rang against the table.
Jackson arrived just as they were finishing. He was tall, broad-shouldered, wearing shades and a leather jacket.
"Ready to play hero tonight?" he teased Rory as he leaned against the doorway.
"Jackson, seriously. Can you not?" Rory groaned, "Any why are you all dressed up, we are not going partying."
Jackson grinned, "Have to look good in front of the ladies, am I right, miss?" he said, winking at Maya.
Maya chuckled, shaking her head. Rory couldn't be more annoyed. Jackson walked over, taking up a fried chicken leg from Rory's plate.
"Get your own plate, douchebag," Rory argued.
Jackson bumped his shoulder, "Chill man, you disappeared for a week, everyone was worried, you know...But I won't force you to say anything."
Jackson ruffled his hair, calming him down. Even though he was annoying, Rory still appreciated his brother.
Jace was checking their gear, ensuring that they were prepared. Once the SUV started rolling, Jackson drove in silence most of the way, eyes constantly on the road while the others went over the plan one last time.
The warehouse loomed ahead, an imposing structure with the E.D.E.N emblem painted black against the dull gray wall. The group stepped out cautiously, Maya adjusting her backpack strap while Jace held the small ID card in his hand. Clarissa stayed close to Maya.
Jackson remained by the car, engine running, ever vigilant.
"This is it," Jace whispered, "Be ready for anything."
They moved toward the heavy metal door. Jace swiped his ID, and with a mechanical click, the lock disengaged. The door swung open slowly.
Inside, the warehouse was vast and dark. Rows of crates, machines, and conveyor belts. No one was in sight.
"Too quiet," Rory muttered, his hand brushing against a small tactical knife he had hidden under his jacket.
Suddenly, the overhead lights flickered on. Slow, deliberate clapping echoed from one of the darker corners. From the corner of an aisle, Sam emerged, his expression smug, with a smirk. His presence caused tension in the room.
"Sam," Jace said, his voice taut with fury, "Where is she?"
Sam tilted his head, eyes glinting in the dim light. "She's… safe. For now." His lips curled into a cruel smile. "But you want her, don't you?"
Jace's fists clenched, "Tell me where she is."
With casual steps, Sam moved forward. In the next instant, he opened a door on the far side of the warehouse and gestured for them to follow. The room inside was small, cold, and dimly lit by a ceiling lamp. Lena was there, her legs and arms tied to a chair, her eyes closed, and her body slumped. Bruises marked her face and arms. Her clothes were disheveled.
Jace's chest tightened when he saw her, "Lena! What the heck did you do to her?!"
He rushed forward, throwing punches at Sam in a fury of desperation. Each blow was laced with rage and fear, hitting Sam a few times. The others didn't stop him. Sam's movements were calm, almost lazy, while maintaining his grip on a knife that was in his pocket. He then held it steadily at Lena's neck.
"Careful," Sam said smoothly, spitting blood from his mouth onto the ground, "One more step and she's mine. If you want her, Jace, you'll do exactly as I say."
Jace froze, his fists mid-air, "What do you want?"
Sam's eyes gleamed, "The USB. Hand it over. Or she dies."
Maya, Rory, and Clarissa exchanged glances, confusion and panic etched across their faces.
"USB?" Maya asked, "What USB?"
Sam didn't answer, just tightened his hold slightly on Lena, who winced and let out a soft groan, regaining consciousness.
Jace's hand hovered near his pocket, fingers brushing against the small device he had been carrying. He weighed his options — risk Lena's life or hand over the information that could bring down the organization.
"You're not giving it to him," Rory said quietly, eyes burning with anger.
Jace looked at him, nodding slightly. He had a plan, a dangerous one, but there was no other choice.
Slowly, deliberately, he reached into his pocket, his other hand raised slightly, trying to keep Sam distracted.
"Move slowly," Maya whispered to Rory and Clarissa, each of them tensing, ready for whatever would happen next.
The room was silent except for Lena's shallow breathing and the low hum of the overhead lights. Sam's grin didn't falter, clearly enjoying the tension.
He took a deep breath, calculating the distance, the timing, the reactions of everyone around him. Then he stepped forward.
The room seemed to freeze for an instant. Maya's stomach dropped as she watched him move. Rory tensed beside her, ready to act. Clarissa gripped the edge of her bag, knuckles white.
Sam's knife gleamed under the dim light, "Make it quick," he said.
Jace's other hand pressed a hidden button on the USB case. A small magnetic lock popped open, revealing a thin, sharp blade hidden inside. He covered the USB in his palm.
He slowly approached Sam and handed him the USB. Before Sam could react, Jace pressed the edge of the USB-blade against Sam's wrist, causing a small, sharp cut on Sam's wrist, and blood dripping.
"Ah— damn you!" Sam hissed, loosening his grip on the knife. Clarissa kicked Sam from behind just in time for Jace to untie Lena from the chair.
"Lena! Please wake up, it's me." Jace shouted, rushing to free her.
Maya dove to support Lena as Rory took up the knife and moved forward, aiming it at Sam, who had backed against the wall. Clarissa grabbed a heavy pipe from the floor, ready to strike if Sam made another move.
Jace tightened his hold around Lena when she was freed. She cried when she recognized him.
"Enough games Sam. Let us out now. Or you'll regret ever touching her," Jace said glaring at Sam.
Suddenly, they heard loud footsteps coming down the aisles. Around fifteen uniformed guards emerged, armed and moving with precision. Sam's eyes sparkled with cruel delight.
"Looks like it's time for round two," he sneered.
Jace quickly swallowed the USB without them noticing. Rory gave him the knife and tried to protect Lena, swinging at a few, but there were too many. Maya aimed her gun, managing to shoot two of the guards. Clarissa managed to knock out five of them using her taekwondo skills.
"Let me go!" Maya yelled, struggling against a guard who tried to take the gun from her. Rory came from behind and stabbed him.
However, the guards were stronger. Within moments, they were forced toward a waiting van outside. Maya's heart pounded as they were shoved inside. As Rory climbed in, his eyes saw his brother Jackson, unconscious, being pulled in with them by another pair of guards. Rage surged through him.
"No! Get your hands off him!" he shouted, thrashing against the restraints. Suddenly, gas filled the back of the van, and they all blacked out.