The words wouldn't leave Elena's mind.
Phase One complete.
Three days had passed since the arrests on Maple Street. News channels were exploding with headlines. The criminal network was exposed. Assets frozen. Arrests made.
But something felt unfinished.
Daniel stood by the apartment window, staring down at the street below.
"They're watching," he said quietly.
Elena crossed her arms. "The police?"
"No," he replied. "Someone smarter."
Her phone buzzed suddenly.
Unknown number.
Her stomach tightened.
She looked at Daniel before answering.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then a distorted voice spoke.
"You should have walked away."
The line went dead.
Her blood ran cold.
Daniel took the phone, checking the number. "Blocked."
Another message arrived instantly.
A photo.
Taken from across the street.
Of them.
Inside the apartment.
Elena's breath became shallow. "That's from tonight…"
Daniel's jaw hardened. "They're close."
Her phone buzzed again.
Phase Two begins now.
Suddenly, the lights in the apartment flickered.
Then went out.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Not again.
Elena's heart pounded violently.
From outside—
A car engine started.
Daniel grabbed her hand. "We can't stay here."
Before they could move, a red laser dot appeared on the wall.
Then another.
And another.
Snipers.
Elena froze.
"This isn't about the evidence anymore," Daniel whispered. "This is personal."
Glass shattered as a bullet tore through the window.
Daniel pulled her down just in time.
Sirens echoed in the distance again — but too far away.
This wasn't random.
This was planned.
And somewhere, hidden behind layers of power and money—
The real mastermind was watching.
Waiting.
Elena clenched her fists.
"No more fear," she said through gritted teeth.
Daniel looked at her.
She wasn't the same girl who waited for answers anymore.
She was ready for war.
Outside, footsteps approached the building entrance.
Heavy.
Organized.
And getting closer.
The game had changed.
Phase Two wasn't about hiding.
It was about survival.