Chapter 161 A Fragile Alliance

The sounds of Blackwatch grew closer, distorted voices echoing through the metal walls of the shaft. John gritted his teeth, his heart hammering against his ribs. He could almost picture them, storming through the lab, searching for him and Olivia, their guns drawn. Suddenly, the shaft opened up into a small, dusty chamber. John scrambled out, coughing and gasping for breath. He found himself in a dimly lit service corridor, lined with pipes and electrical conduits. Relief washed over him, a fleeting moment of victory before the harsh reality of their situation set in. They were out of the ventilation shaft, but where were they? How would they find an exit, or even know which direction to go? Olivia emerged from the shaft behind him, her face pale but determined. "We need to find a way out of here," she said,her voice barely a whisper. John nodded, his eyes scanning the maze of pipes and corridors. He spotted a faint glow coming from a corner, barely a flicker in the dimness. "Ther