Chapter 16: Against the Clock

The night was dark and thick with tension as Ava, Lucas, Sara, Daniel, and Mark hurried through the narrow alleys, moving away from the warehouse. The sense of urgency was palpable; every step felt like it carried the weight of their entire mission. Ava’s mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead and the dangers they still faced. They had barely managed to escape Collins’s men, and she knew they were only buying themselves a little more time. Lucas’s hand was tight around hers, guiding her through the darkness. She could feel the tension radiating from him, his body coiled like a spring, ready to react at any moment. She felt her own heart pounding in her chest, her breaths coming in short, quick bursts. The fear was there, but so was a fierce determination. They were in too deep now to turn back. “Where’s the safe house?” Ava asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Sara glanced over her shoulder, her expression tense. “Just a few more blocks. We need to keep moving. Collins’s men