Ella barely slept. She tried, but every time she closed her eyes, she heard Gray's voice again. He said morning like a threat. Not loud. Not angry. Just calm. Like he already owned the next sunrise.
Lucas slept on her lap. His tiny breaths warmed her hands, steady and soft. She kept stroking his back, even long after he drifted off. She did it more for herself than him. Touching him made her feel grounded.
Ben didn't sleep at all. He sat by the door the whole night, one knee up, eyes locked on the handle like it might twist at any second. He looked like he had aged five years in a few hours.
When Ella finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper. "He is not playing, Ben."
"I know," Ben said, still staring at the door.
"He said morning like he already planned everything."
Ben nodded. "He always plans everything."
Ella shifted a little, careful not to wake Lucas. "You used to work with him. You know how he thinks. What do we do?"
Ben finally looked at her. His eyes were red. "We leave before morning."
Ella scoffed. "Ben. He is out there. Waiting."
"I know," Ben said. "But staying here is worse. When Gray says morning, he means he is giving us time. But not enough to matter."
Ella frowned. "Why give us time at all? Why not break in now?"
Ben hesitated, thinking. "Because Gray likes control. He likes to show that he decides the time. Not us."
Ella bit her lip. "So we run now."
"We run now," Ben agreed.
Ella slowly lifted Lucas. He blinked awake, confused. "Are we going?"
"Yes," Ella whispered. "Quiet, okay? No noise."
Lucas nodded, scared but trusting.
Ben grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. "We take the back exit. It leads to a path behind the station. If we're lucky, he won't see us go."
Ella followed him to the far corner of the safe house where a small metal door sat low to the ground. Ben pulled the handle up. It creaked lightly, and Ella winced.
"Careful," she whispered. "He'll hear."
Ben nodded and opened it slower. The air outside drifted in, cold and sharp.
"Lucas first," Ben said.
Lucas crawled through. Ella came next. Ben followed and closed the hatch behind them. The ground outside was wet. The sky still dark. The street was quiet, too quiet.
They crouched behind a row of trash bins. Everything smelled like smoke and damp cement. Ella clutched Lucas close.
Ben peeked around the corner. "No one."
Ella whispered, "Don't say it like that. Every time someone says that, someone shows up."
Ben gave her a tired smile. "Then let's move before the story proves you right."
They rushed toward the back fence. The metal was cold under Ella's hand as she climbed. Lucas froze halfway up.
"Ella," he whispered, scared. "I'm stuck."
"No you're not," Ella said softly. "I'm right under you."
Lucas took a shaky breath and kept climbing. Ella helped him over the edge and then hopped down after him. Ben landed quietly behind them.
They were officially outside the safe zone.
Ella took one step forward and stopped.
A car engine started somewhere nearby.
Not loud, not rushed. Slow. Controlled. Too controlled.
Ben stiffened. "Ella. Go."
She didn't argue. She grabbed Lucas's hand and ran. Ben ran beside them, steps light, breath fast but steady.
They followed the narrow road behind the station. Every shadow looked alive. Every sound made Ella check over her shoulder. Lucas kept looking back too, eyes wide.
"Don't look back," Ella told him gently. "Look at me."
Lucas nodded and forced his gaze forward.
They reached the end of the path, where it opened to a long, empty street. A bus stop sat on the far end, lights flickering weakly.
"That is our way out?" Ella asked.
"No," Ben said. "But behind the stop is a tunnel. We can cross the city without being seen."
Ella nodded. "Good. Run."
They sprinted across the street, shoes slapping against the pavement.
Halfway across, Ella heard it.
A slow clap.
She stopped instantly.
Ben grabbed her arm. "Ella, don't."
She turned her head.
He stood under the streetlight, hands in his pockets, smile gentle, eyes deadly.
Mister Gray.
Ella felt Lucas cling to her leg.
Gray tilted his head slightly. "Leaving before morning. I'm almost hurt."
Ben stepped in front of Ella and Lucas. "We're not playing your game."
Gray smiled. "My game? Ben, everything out here is mine. Even your fear."
Ella felt heat rise in her chest. "We are not going anywhere with you."
Gray's eyes drifted to Lucas, slow and curious. "The boy is coming with me. You know that."
"No," Ella said.
Gray walked toward them, calm like he was strolling in a park. "Fighting me will only make it messy."
Ben reached for something in his jacket.
Gray chuckled. "You brought a weapon. How sweet."
"Stay back," Ben said.
Gray stopped, only because he wanted to. "You know I don't like threats. Especially from people who used to work for me."
Ella's heart dropped. "Ben. Don't let him get to you."
Gray smiled wider. "He left without permission. I don't forget that."
Ben gritted his teeth. "I left because I saw what you did to people."
"And now you're about to watch what I'll do to you," Gray said calmly.
Ella tightened her grip on Lucas. "Ben. Run."
Ben didn't move.
Gray stepped closer.
Ben whispered, "Ella. Take him. Go."
Ella shook her head. "Not without you."
Ben met her eyes. "Go."
She grabbed Lucas and backed away.
Gray turned his head slightly. "She won't get far."
Ben raised his voice. "Ella, go now."
This time she listened.
She turned and ran with Lucas.
Gray laughed softly behind her.
Not loud, rushed, just calm.
Like he already owned the next step she took.