Alex's body seemed to have lost all hope. The joy he had felt when he found out that Mia was the girl he had been searching for was now gone.
"Mia," he mumbled.
"James, Nicky, please go and help her. She doesn't know what she's going to face inside. Protect her for now. I'm coming," he pleaded.
He glanced at Jake.
"Jake... I'm sorry, but I will fight alongside you now to win her back, no matter the cost," Alex said, his eyes filled with determination. "I have no other choice. Things have changed. I will always treat you well, friend, but I also love her. Until she chooses you, I will be ready to do anything to have my happiness back. She is the one, Jake. She is Mia—the girl I told you about in college, who saved me from becoming something I never wanted to be."
"I'll stop as soon as she falls for you. Sorry," Alex said, his voice breaking.
"No... stop, Alex," Jake screamed, his voice filled with emotion. "She's not the one."
"I'm sorry," Alex whispered. "I didn't know until now. I always had feelings for her, but I kept them hidden because of you, Jake. Because you loved her."
Jake glanced at Alex, who stood silently next to him. The air between them was thick with unspoken words.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, a car stopped abruptly.
The back door opened, and a voice rang out, "Uncle Timmy, you're really slow!" Nawe complained, causing both men in front of her to panic as they hurried to get out.
"W-what are you doing, young lady?" Uncle Timmy stuttered.
"Eh, you thought I would listen to you? Haha, sorry to disappoint you, Uncle. You're not my brother, so I can choose whether to listen or not," she smirked, tilting her head at her father. "So, Father, do you think your presence will be welcomed here?" She played with her lips. "Don't forget what you did. I'm easy to handle, but what about my big brother? Will he be okay? Just your face makes him want... forget it. You already know how it is. It's obvious on your face. I wish you all the best."
"So, Uncle, where are we passing? He's waiting, or we might find him and miss all the fun. Hahaha." Nawe's expression hardened. "But if he gets hurt, I won't be so kind."
"Haha, I'm just joking. We should hurry."
Tall grass walls surrounded the area as a man came into view. "A car is approaching. Hurry. Action time!" Nawe shouted happily as her father walked behind her with a somber expression.
"Hey, hang in there. You know they won't forgive you overnight, right? But you'll earn their forgiveness, maybe tonight or tomorrow. So be strong, Mr. Ben," Uncle Timmy encouraged.
"Hmmm," he replied briefly.
"Hey, stop making us late! Hurry!" Nawe called out, placing her hands on her hips. "I changed my hair. My big black hair—don't you think I look good?" she said, making small circles with her hand. The glasses fell to the ground as her antics made her father smile. He had never had anything to make him smile, but her little craziness brought him a bit of ease. Still, he wondered what Alex would do if he saw him.
"Childish, we're not in a state to listen to your nonsense," Uncle Timmy muttered, pushing her aside as he passed through. The man in black laughed.
"She's so crazy, Uncle," he said, leaving her behind.
"Uncle, that wasn't nice! Not nice at all!" Nawe complained, tapping her feet in frustration as she followed them.
"We have to be quick. I don't like this feeling," her father said, his voice cold and urgent as he hurried ahead, leaving Nawe and the two men behind. "Hurry. I don't know the way. Don't forget." His pace quickened, disappearing further into the shadows of the dense forest.
Nawe stood still for a moment, a strange tension settling in the air. The two men, silent and watchful, followed her father without a word.
Meanwhile, the approaching car screeched to a halt, its tires kicking up dirt. Two police vehicles pulled up behind it, the engines of the cars humming as they came to a stop. Inspector John and Paul stepped out in swift, coordinated movements, giving orders to the officers who followed them.
"Cover the cars," Inspector John commanded, his voice steady and sharp. The officers quickly positioned themselves, guns drawn, eyes scanning the dark forest. The group moved in unison, their footsteps synchronized as they ran into the same direction her father had gone. The tension was everywhere.
Inside the factory, Alex stood facing Jake. He didn't speak immediately. His gaze was distant, his expression hard, but there was a quiet in the way he moved.
"Jake," Alex said, his voice calm but laced with a quiet strength. "Let's go. She needs us."
Jake glanced at Alex, his eyes dry but filled with an unspoken sorrow. The weight of their situation seemed to crash down on him all at once, and in a matter of seconds, his composure shattered. A single tear slipped down his cheek as he stared at Alex, his voice shaking with frustration and helplessness.
"Alex, why is fate playing such a cruel game with us?" His voice cracked, breaking the stillness in the air.
Alex reached out, pulling Jake into a brief embrace. He patted his back firmly, the gesture filled with more strength than comfort.
"Jake, we should go. Don't think so much," Alex said softly, his words a quiet command, even though they were filled with empathy.
Jake pulled away, pushing Alex gently as if to steady himself. "I don't like this feeling," he muttered, the fear evident in his voice, but the resolve in his eyes unshaken.
Without another word, the two of them split. Jake turned on his heel and ran toward one side of the factory, Alex heading in the opposite direction.
"Meet you soon," Alex called after him. His voice was calm, but there was an underlying urgency. "Jake, make sure no one hurts you."
Jake waved without turning back, his form disappearing through the door that led into the darkness of the building. Both men entered different doors, but they knew that their paths would eventually lead them to the same place—the heart of the factory.
Inside, the air was cold, the shadows stretching across the walls like ominous fingers. The hum of machinery echoed in the distance, the sounds of steel and metal clashing together. The factory, once a place of industry, now felt like a battleground—silent, tense, and waiting
Mia hid next to the entrance, her back pressed against the cold wall, watching the four guards stationed at the entrance. They were silent, their faces serious as they scanned their surroundings. The tension in the air grew heavier, the silence almost suffocating. Oil tanks lined the area, casting long shadows under the faint glow of the overhead lights.
James, standing further back, spotted her. He subtly signaled to Nicky, who immediately understood. They waited, watching Mia carefully. She was waiting for the right moment. As the guards changed shifts, she made her move, slipping into an opening.
Nicky shook his head in frustration. "It's a trap," he muttered under his breath. "James, signal Mary. Tell her everything."
James nodded, tapping his watch to alert Mary. "No one can leave an opening like that, Nicky," he said, his voice tight with concern. "They've already seen her."
"Then we move fast," Nicky replied, his tone urgent.
He sprinted toward the opening, kicking the back of one of the guards and quickly stepping inside. He thought Mia had been lured into a trap, but what he saw when he entered the room made his blood run cold.
Mia's legs buckled beneath her as she stared at the blood-soaked floor. It seemed the people behind this knew her weakness—blood. Everywhere she looked, it was blood. Her mother's blood. The sight sent a jolt of horror through her.
"Mama!" Mia screamed, her voice cracking with anguish.
Her eyes darted around the room, searching for something, anything. Then she saw it—her mother's last piece of clothing. The remnants of her mother's life, stained and torn. Mia felt the walls closing in around her, the pain overwhelming her. She collapsed to her knees, her chest tight, tears streaming down her face.
Nicky was quick to move. He ran to her, his expression hard with determination. He kneeled beside her just as she reached for a broken shard of glass, her fingers trembling. She was about to end it all.
"Let me die," she sobbed, her voice hollow with despair. "She's dead… I'm too late."
"No!" Nicky shouted, grabbing her hands before she could harm herself.
Mia tried to push him away, her face contorting with the weight of her grief. "Sorry, I deserve this. I deserve to die."
"Mia, stop!" Nicky shouted, his voice full of anguish.
But Mia was too far gone. She raised the shard of glass to her throat, eyes wild with pain. Without thinking, Nicky lunged at her, throwing his arms around her to stop her. The glass cut into his arm, but he didn't care. He held her close, his voice firm.
"It's not real," he whispered urgently. "It's all a lie. They want you to break. You can't let them win. Listen to me, okay? Your mother is somewhere here. We're going to find her."
Mia trembled, shaking her head. "But…"
"No buts. It's all set up. They want you to lose it. But we're not going to let them."
Just then, the door burst open. Twenty men stormed in, their faces cold and ruthless. A voice echoed from the shadows, dripping with malice.
"Mia, Mia, Mia… you're so lucky. Every man here would die for you. It makes me want to kill you again and again."
The voice chuckled darkly, sending a chill down Mia's spine. "Is he the one who saved you that day? He's handsome, isn't he?"
Mia's heart sank. The voice sneered. "Where is Jake? I thought he would be here, trying to save your mother."
Mia's gaze lingered on Nicky as he whispered, his voice strained, while he tore a piece of cloth to tie around his bleeding arm. "Mia, it's okay… don't listen to her. I'm here. The others are coming." His words were meant to comfort, but Mia's silence made him pause. He looked at her, concern flashing across his face, but when he saw the emptiness in her eyes, he instinctively took a step back.
"Mia…" She barely seemed to register his presence as her eyes remained distant, cold.
Mia's mocking voice broke the tension. "Thanks, Nicky. Sara, Sara, Sara... who's paying you this time? How much are they offering you? Why are you still hiding? Come out and face me!" Her voice dripped with scorn, her words laced with childish, taunting laughter.
Sara didn't respond, but her clenched fists betrayed her anger. She stood there, frozen, as if every part of her wanted to fight back, but someone stoped her.
It was all an act. Mia knew exactly how to play mind games. Sara's heart raced with frustration, but she didn't move. Her hands trembled as Mia stepped into view, swaggering around the room. "Oh, Sara… you forgot something." Mia held up a blood- bag, dangling it in front of the twenty men standing nearby. "Now, will you come to me, or should I come to you? Make a choice."
Mia's cold stare met the camera. Her eyes were vacant, almost as if her soul had left her body. Watching from the control room, Sara's heart skipped a beat. The intensity in Mia's eyes, the hollowness, was enough to make Sara falter for a moment.
"If Sara has anything to say, she can come down here," Mia said quietly, her voice barely a whisper, as she stared straight into the lens.
Sara's hand twitched, but she quickly masked it with a mocking smile. She turned to the man beside her, exchanging a few words before stepping toward the door. "I'll finish her off, Sir."
The door slammed shut behind her as she exited, followed by more men. Meanwhile, Mia was left alone in the room, fighting off the twenty men. Nicky crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, watching, his face grim. "So, you knew, huh? Mia… you're crazy."
Mia grinned darkly, her eyes narrowed with fierce determination. "Yeah, Nicky sorry and… thanks," she said with a hint of sarcasm, even as she dodged a punch, leaped into the air, and spun around to land a fierce kick to one man's stomach. She ducked and weaved, punching, kicking, and taking out the men one by one, the noise of her fists connecting with flesh growing louder and louder.
Nicky watched in disbelief, his face a mix of admiration and concern. "Mia, stop," he called out, but she was too caught up in the fight to hear him. She delivered a powerful hook to the man behind her, sending him crashing to the ground in a heap. She wiped her hands clean and, without a second glance, stepped over the fallen bodies.
She walked to the doorway, where Nicky stood, watching her with wide eyes.
"She's Sara. My ex-friend," Mia said, her voice colder than ever, "Should we go?"
Just as she finished speaking, James appeared behind Nicky, grinning mischievously. "So, you like the same man?" he teased, poking fun at their earlier conversation.
Mia, not even thinking, stepped hard on his foot, causing him to yelp in surprise. "Ouch! Mia, you're a devil!" James protested, wincing.
Nicky laughed, crossing his arms. "What about you? A demon, maybe?" he teased back, clearly enjoying the banter, though his eyes were still wary.
James groaned, rolling his eyes. "We're friends again, and you're on her side? Fine. I'll go back." He was about to turn, but before he could walk away, Mia pushed a large tank toward him.
James jumped back, his face full of mock horror. "Hey!" He landed with a soft thud, glancing over at Nicky, who was shaking his head in amusement.
Mia laughed, the sound ringing through the air like the carefree chuckles of a child. She laughed so much, in fact, that her stomach ached. "Hahahaha!" She barely noticed when Jake and Alex arrived, but when they saw her, they couldn't help but laugh too. Jake joined in the playful chaos, teasing James like kids in a schoolyard.
As Alex applied the medicine to Nicky's wound, the laugh of James Jake and Mia was so loud. His hands were steady, but his mind was elsewhere. His words were quiet, almost too quiet, as he muttered, "Sorry... thanks." The words felt like they were meant for something much bigger than just the injury.
Nicky watched him with furrowed brows, the confusion and concern in his eyes evident. "I knew that plan of theirs, I also knew about the snakes," Alex added, his voice laced with something that sounded like regret or warning. But it was too cryptic, too vague.
Nicky blinked, his face softening for a second before the realization hit him."What?!" You knew?! And what snakes what are you talking about??! His eyes went blank, a chill creeping down his spine. "Are you okay? You don't seem right..."
Alex's lips pressed together, and he waved off the concern with a quiet, "I'm okay, Nicky." But it was clear he wasn't. The way his eyes flickered, the almost mechanical way he applied the bandages — something was off.
Nicky wasn't having it. His voice rose, more forceful now. "What did you see? What did you fight? What is wrong with you?" His anger, fear, and frustration bubbled to the surface as he shoved Alex's hands away. "You don't share anything with us anymore!"
Alex stopped, his expression hardening. He stood slowly, his gaze moving from Nicky's furious face to the faces of the others — Mia, James, and Jake. They had been laughing, enjoying themselves, but now, they stood frozen. The tension between Alex and Nicky was thick, and everyone could feel it.
Nicky's eyes burned with unanswered questions, while Alex's face, calm yet distant, remained unreadable. It was as if there was something bigger than all of them hanging in the air, something that Alex wasn't ready to share... and Nicky wasn't ready to let go of.