Chapter 58: Entering the Lion’s Den

The cold light of dawn barely reached the horizon as Ava, Lucas, and the team pulled up to the outskirts of the Meridian facility. The air was sharp and still, the silence broken only by the hum of their vehicles as they parked behind a thick line of trees. The sprawling compound loomed ahead of them, a stark contrast to the serenity of the surrounding forest. Ava scanned the perimeter with binoculars, her heart pounding in her chest. The facility was massive, with tall fences lined with barbed wire, guard towers at each corner, and cameras sweeping the grounds in slow, methodical patterns. It looked impenetrable, and they knew they were walking into one of the most heavily guarded places Meridian controlled. “Jess, how’s it looking from your end?” Ava whispered into her comms, her voice steady but tense. Jess’s voice came through with a sense of calm urgency. “I’ve got eyes on the perimeter. Security’s tight, but I’m in their system. Cameras will be offline as soon as you’re in pos