The night was quiet again. Too quiet.
Blitz opened one eye. "…Okay." A pause. "…This is the moment." She slowly pushed the blanket away. No dramatic movements. No noise. Just stealth.
"…Operation: Escape." She sat up carefully.
"…Step one…" She looked around. "…Don't die."
A beat. "…Good start."
Blitz slid off the bed and crouched near the door. "…Door, unlocked."
She smiled slightly. "Suspicious." A pause. "…Very suspicious."
She pulled out her hairpin again. "…Just in case." Twisting it between her fingers. "…My best weapon."
She opened the door slowly. Click. No sound. "…Nice."
She peeked outside. Left. Right. No one. "…Line clear again." A small grin. "…Of course it is. I'm just that good."
Her steps were light. Fast. Controlled. She avoided the creaky spots instinctively. Checked corners. Paused at every turn.
"…Okay, I'm actually impressive." A pause. "…I should reward myself after this."
She reached the main door. Stopped. "…This is too easy." Her eyes narrowed. "…Suspicious level: maximum."
A beat. "…But I'm still going." She reached for the handle. Turned it, CLICK. Unlocked.
Blitz froze. "…No way." She slowly opened the door. Cold night air rushed in. Freedom.
"…Okay… I'm not asking questions." A pause. "…I'm leaving." And just like that, she stepped out.
Blitz didn't run immediately. She walked first. Calm. Normal.
Then, "…Okay, now run." She sprinted. Fast. Light. Disappearing into the night.
A smirk formed on her lips. "…Too easy."
[INSIDE THE HOUSE]
Silence. Then, A shadow moved.
Zander stepped out from the darkness. He had been there. The whole time. Watching.
His gaze rested on the open door. Then shifted, toward the direction she ran. A faint smile appeared. "…You really think I didn't notice?"
A pause. "…Xara." He walked slowly to the door. Hands in his pockets. Completely calm.
"…You've gotten better." A small chuckle. "…I'm proud." Silence.
Then, he didn't move to chase her. Didn't call anyone. Didn't stop her.
Instead, he turned away. "…Go." His voice low. "…Find your answers."
A pause. "…And come back to me."
Outside, Blitz ran freely. Heart racing. Mind spinning. "…I did it." A small laugh escaped her.
"I actually did it." But something still felt off. Too easy. Too smooth. Too planned.
Because somewhere behind her, someone had already decided to let her go...
[HEADQUARTERS – NIGHT]
The doors slid open. Blitz stepped in. Fast. Purposeful.
"…Okay." A pause. "…Don't punch anyone first."
Another pause. "…Unless necessary." She nodded to herself. "Yeah. Good plan."
"Xara?"
She froze. That voice. "…Specter."
Specter walked toward her slowly. Her eyes scanned Blitz, quickly. Carefully. "…You disappeared."
Blitz crossed her arms. "Yeah, I know." A beat. "…Long story."
Specter tilted her head slightly. "…Try me."
Silence. Then, "…I remembered something." That changed everything.
Specter's expression shifted. "…What kind of something?"
Blitz exhaled slowly. "…You."
A pause. "And him."
Specter froze. "…Phantom?"
Blitz nodded. "…Zander too."
Silence filled the space. "…I saw us." Her voice softened slightly. "As kids."
A beat. "…You don't remember any of it, right?"
Specter shook her head slowly. "…No."
A pause. "…But I've been feeling it." Her hand pressed lightly against her chest. "…Like something's missing."
Blitz nodded. "…Yeah." A small, bitter smile. "Turns out… it was."
Specter stepped closer. "…Tell me everything."
Blitz hesitated. Then, "…Zander said my memory was erased."
A pause. "…By him."
Specter's eyes widened slightly. "…What?"
Blitz shrugged lightly. "Apparently, I almost died."
A beat. "And he didn't want me to remember."
Silence. "…That sounds like him," Specter murmured.
Blitz frowned. "…You trust him?"
A pause. Specter looked away. "…I don't know." Her voice lowered. "But Phantom said something similar."
Blitz blinked. "…What?"
Specter looked back at her. "…He said he tried to save me before."
A beat. "…But failed."
Blitz froze. "…Wait…" Her eyes narrowed. "...That doesn't make sense."
Specter nodded slowly. "…Exactly." Silence.
"…Everything is connected," Blitz muttered.
A pause. "…And someone is hiding it." Both of them knew who...
Blitz turned immediately. "…Where is she?"
Specter didn't answer right away. Then, "...She's not here."
Blitz frowned. "…What do you mean?"
"…She left." A beat. "…Hours ago." Silence.
Blitz's expression hardened. "…Of course she did." A pause. "…Where?"
Specter hesitated. "…Amsterdam." That word, hit differently.
Blitz's eyes narrowed. "…Why there?"
Specter shook her head. "…No idea."
But deep down, they both felt it too. This wasn't random.
Blitz turned. "…I'm going after her."
Specter grabbed her arm. "Wait." A pause. "...This isn't something you rush into."
Blitz smirked slightly. "…You know me."
"…Exactly why I'm stopping you." A beat. "…We go together." Silence.
Blitz looked at her. Then, "…Fine." A small grin. "…But if things go wrong..."
Specter sighed. "They will."
Blitz laughed lightly. "…Yeah. Probably."
[AMSTERDAM]
Rain fell softly over the city. Lights reflected on wet streets. Calm. Beautiful. Deceptive.
A figure stood near the edge of a quiet canal. Still. Silent.
Vex. Her eyes were fixed on someone ahead. "...You took your time."
A voice responded. "…I wasn't expecting you to come alone."
The man stepped forward. Out of the shadows. Familiar. Dangerous.
Aiden. Phantom. Alive like always. Awake. And waiting.
Vex stood still. She was expecting someone else. Not him.
"…Why are you here?" Her voice was cold.
"Weren't you supposed to still be in the hospital?"
Phantom stepped forward slowly. A faint smirk on his lips. "I missed you." A wink. "That's why I'm here, darling."
Vex's expression didn't change. "Don't call me that." A pause.
"Our story ended a long time ago." Her gaze sharpened. "I should've shot you in the head back then. My life would've been a lot more peaceful."
A step closer. "I want you gone." Her voice dropped. "Don't interfere with my mission."
A beat. "You're always messing things up." A small scoff. "Annoying, you know that?"
Phantom chuckled softly. "I'll always be your shadow, darling."
A pause. "Don't bother meeting him." His smile deepened. "Useless anyway."
A quiet laugh. "I already moved him somewhere else."
Vex's eyes darkened instantly. "…What did you do?"
Her voice turned sharp. "I'm trying to finish this quickly, and you just decided to run off with him?"
A step forward. "You're really asking for trouble, aren't you?" Her grip tightened. "What's your problem?"
A beat. "What do you actually want from me?" Her voice rose, just slightly.
"Wasn't the last time enough?" A pause. "Or are you playing another game again?"
Silence. "I could still forgive you for messing with my feelings before."
Her gaze hardened. "But not my girls."
A step closer. "If you touch them..." Her voice dropped. "I'll kill you first."
A beat. "You think I still love you?" Her smile faded. Replaced by something darker.
"…Wake up." A cold laugh. "You're nothing to me now."
A pause. "We both used each other to get what we wanted."
Her eyes locked onto his. "My feelings for you?" A small smirk. "Barely there." A beat.
"Maybe just enough to step on." A soft laugh. "Our relationship wasn't even real."
Her voice sharpened. "It was just to cover up my father's problems."
A pause. "So now you understand, right?"
She pulled her gun, aiming it directly at him. "You can leave now."
A cocky smile formed. "Or do you want me to shoot you again?"
A beat. "Maybe your other leg this time." Her eyes narrowed.
"So you won't be able to move anywhere." A faint smirk. "Easier for me to control you back at HQ."
Phantom laughed. "You talk a lot, don't you, darling?"
A step closer. "Then shoot."
A pause. "I don't mind." His eyes softened, just slightly.
"I know you still love me." A beat. "If not…"
"…you would've killed me a long time ago."
His voice dropped. "No need to wait years just to erase me."
"Shut up." Vex's voice snapped instantly. "I hate it when you call me that."
Her grip tightened. "I hate that name." A pause. "Go call someone else your 'darling.'"
Phantom laughed again. "You know what's in my heart."
A beat. "Look up for a second, darling."
Vex's eyes flicked upward and froze.
A sniper. Aimed... directly at her.
Too late. BANG.
Pain exploded in her chest. Her body staggered. Then, slowly collapsed to the ground.
"…Aiden…" A weak laugh escaped her lips. "...That's how you repay me?"
Her vision blurred. "…Not even that brutal."
Phantom crouched beside her. Slow. Calm.
His smirk returned. "Now we've both been shot."
A pause. "Isn't that exciting, darling?" A soft chuckle. "Same pain…"
"…makes it sweeter."
Vex's breathing grew uneven. "…You're insane…" Her voice weakened. "…Phantom…"
Her vision darkened slowly. "…I swear… I'll..." Her words faded. Darkness.
Phantom stood up again. His gaze shifted upward, toward the sniper. "You can leave now."
A pause. "I'll handle my darling myself."
The sniper disappeared. Silence returned.
Phantom looked down at her. A faint smile forming. "Nice game, dear."
A beat. "Welcome…"
His eyes darkened. "…to my new game."
TBC