Days turned into weeks as they continued refining their holographic projector while simultaneously fortifying their defenses against potential threats. But despite their efforts, an air of tension loomed over them.
One evening while working late at Eli's house, they heard a loud crash from outside—followed by footsteps approaching rapidly.
"What was that?" Khushi whispered anxiously.
"I don't know," Eli replied, heart racing as he peered out the window.
To his horror, he saw dark figures moving stealthily through the shadows—figures that matched those from the warehouse.
"They're here!" he exclaimed urgently.
Without thinking twice, they scrambled to gather their equipment and hide it away just as a loud knock echoed through the door.
"Open up!" a deep voice called out from outside.
Eli exchanged terrified glances with Khushi and Jasper before Mira stepped forward confidently.
"Stay behind me," she instructed firmly.
Mira opened the door slightly, revealing two men standing there—one tall with tattoos snaking up his arms and another shorter but stocky with an intimidating presence.
"We're looking for something," the tall man said casually but with an underlying threat in his tone.
"What do you want?" Mira demanded boldly.
"Your little invention," he replied with a smirk. "Hand it over nicely, and we won't have any trouble."
Eli's heart raced as he held his breath—this was it; they were being confronted directly by those who sought to take what was rightfully theirs.
"No way!" Khushi shouted defiantly from behind Mira.
The tall man's expression darkened as he took a step forward. "You really don't want to make this difficult."
In that moment of tension-filled silence, Mira suddenly lunged forward—her movements swift and precise—as she pushed past the men and slammed the door shut behind her.
"Go!" she shouted urgently at Eli and his friends while holding them off momentarily.
Eli felt adrenaline surge through him as he grabbed Khushi's hand and pulled Jasper toward the back door leading into the alley behind his house.
"Run!" he yelled as they dashed through the narrow passageway, hearts pounding in unison.
—