Unwavering confidence stems from absolute certainty.
Thomas frowned deeply, his intuition warning him. Suddenly, he barked, "Where's Nathan? Where did he go?"
"I don't know! Everything got chaotic once we started. He was here just a moment ago!" someone shouted.
Thomas's face darkened, his voice sharp as he yelled, "Damn it! It's a trap! Retreat! Everyone, fall back now!"
"Are you kidding me?" Luther spat angrily. "Why the hell are we here, then? We're so close to breaking this damn fortress, and now you want us to retreat? To where?"
Damn it!
Thomas cursed inwardly, his frustration mounting. "Luther, can't you see? Miles isn't afraid of us attacking. This house is fortified—it's been modified, and we won't be able to breach it anytime soon."
"If a little time won't do it, we'll keep smashing until it gives way! I'm sick of starving!" Luther ignored Thomas and resumed pounding the glass with all his strength.
Yet, no matter how hard he struck, his arms trembling with effort, the windows remained unscathed—no cracks, not even a scratch.
"Damn it! Forget the windows—hit the door!" Luther snarled in irritation, directing the others.
Realizing the futility of attacking the reinforced glass, they turned their focus to the iron door. Grabbing a crowbar, Luther wedged it into the doorframe.
"Come on!"
Using every ounce of his strength, he heaved, but the door didn't budge. Instead, the effort left his arms limp, trembling from exhaustion.
"Stop this madness! We need to leave now!" Thomas finally lost his composure, gripping Luther's arm tightly. "Can't you see? This house has been reinforced. It's impossible to break through. If we don't leave now, we'll lose our chance to escape!"
Bang!
The sudden crack of a gunshot shattered the tense atmosphere.
Whoosh!
Everyone froze, their actions halting in unison. Heads turned toward the sound as an uneasy silence fell over the crowd.
"Where did that shot come from?" Luther instinctively ducked behind the doorframe.
Thomas joined him on the other side, his face pale. "Damn it! I knew it. We've been set up. Nathan was playing us all along—they were prepared for this!"
Bang!
Another gunshot echoed. Luther let out a guttural scream, clutching his thigh as he collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.
"Luther!" Thomas moved to help him but quickly jerked back as another bullet zipped past, narrowly missing him.
Across the courtyard, Ryan crouched behind a second-floor window, a cold smirk on his face.
"These rats sure know how to dodge," he muttered, adjusting his aim. "Let's see you dodge this."
Shifting his focus, Ryan targeted the panicked students below. His next shot rang out, and one of the students fell lifelessly to the ground, his wide eyes staring blankly at the sky.
Thomas gasped but dared not move an inch.
Ratatatat!
Gunfire erupted from above as Miles leaned out from a higher window, firing an automatic rifle into the crowd. Though his aim was less precise, the hail of bullets scattered the students like startled deer. A few unlucky ones were struck by stray rounds, their cries of pain piercing the air.
"My arm!" one screamed, collapsing in agony.
"Push forward! Charge! All together, rush them!" Thomas finally regained his senses, rallying the panicked students. "They only have two guns. If we push together, we can break through!"
His command restored a semblance of order. The students, driven by desperation, surged toward the villa's edge, determined to escape the kill zone.
Bang!
Ratatatat!
Ryan and Miles continued to fire. Each shot sent another student tumbling to the ground, but the mass of bodies pressed on, their sheer numbers overwhelming.
Amidst the chaos, Thomas and a few students managed to hoist Luther onto their shoulders, retreating amidst the confusion.
"You think you can escape?" Ryan whispered, his lips curling into a cruel smile. His sniper rifle tracked the retreating figures, his finger tightening on the trigger. After a brief pause…
Bang!
Luther's body jerked violently, blood spraying as he crumpled onto his comrades. His lifeless form slumped onto the ground with a thud.
"Luther!" Thomas cried out in anguish but quickly released him, blending back into the crowd. His survival instincts overruled any sentimentality.
The mob of students finally reached the gates of the villa. Relief washed over them—but only briefly.
Suddenly, two beams of blinding light pierced the darkness.
High-powered flashlights swept across the crowd, forcing them to shield their eyes.
Anthony and Isaac emerged from the shadows, flanked by dozens of armed men, encircling the students with a predatory confidence.
Bang!
Anthony fired a shot into the air, his voice booming, "Everyone, drop to your knees!"
Thomas, lagging behind the group, halted in his tracks, his expression grim as he took in the sight before him.
We've been utterly duped.
The realization struck him like a blow. Everything suddenly made sense—why Nathan never truly resisted, why Anthony had been so brazen in his actions.
Damn it, Miles!
This cunning bastard…
"Stop!" Thomas raised his voice, turning to face the disoriented students. "Everyone, halt! Do not resist!"
Anthony and his men closed in, guns trained on the haggard students. His tone was icy. "This is your last warning. Get on your knees!"
"You've won this round, Anthony…" Thomas stepped forward, attempting to keep his composure. "We fell into your trap, and we accept defeat. Let us leave Cloudtop City, and you won't see us again."
Thomas believed Miles's intention was to drive them out, to rid himself of this threat. Given the circumstances, admitting defeat and retreating seemed their only option.
"Leave?" Anthony sneered. "Did I say you could leave? On your knees!" He punctuated his demand by smashing Thomas in the face with the butt of his rifle, sending him staggering.
"What now?" Thomas asked, blood trickling down his lip. "Do you intend to slaughter all four hundred of us? Sure, the odds are against us now, but if you push us too far, we'll fight to the death. Miles might not care about the cost, but you? Are you willing to risk your life for him?"
Thomas's words struck a chord.
Anthony hesitated, his gun lowering slightly. Though Miles might view these students as expendable, Anthony valued his own survival. A full-scale confrontation with four hundred desperate cadets was a gamble he wasn't eager to take.
Thomas stood firm, his icy calm radiating authority. This was no mindless thug like Luther. This was a man who understood strategy and timing, and his quiet strength unsettled even his captors.