The way she looked when we were running.
The way she thought she was protecting me.
My chest tightens.
Hard.
“She’s not doing this alone,” I say quietly.
Then louder—
“Move.”
The door swings open.
Night waiting on the other side.
And this time—
We’re not chasing.
We’re coming for her.
31
Mila
Location: Holding Facility — Unknown
Time: Unknown
The guard shifts his weight for the third time in two minutes.
Impatient.
Bored.
Careless.
That’s what gets people killed.
I keep my breathing slow, even, like I’m still half out of it. My head lolls slightly to the side, eyes unfocused, body slack against the restraints.
But inside?
I’m counting.
Timing.
Waiting.
The moment his attention slips again, I move.
Fast.
My wrist twists sharply, the small piece of metal I worked loose from the underside of the table biting into the restraint seam. It’s not much—but it’s enough.
The strap gives.
