Ashira didn't stop running until she was blocks away from the abandoned facility. Her breaths came in sharp gasps, and her legs felt like they might give out at any moment. Yet the drive in her pocket felt heavier than it should—its weight not physical, but mental.
She ducked into a dark alley, crouching behind a dumpster to catch her breath. Her fingers trembled as she pulled out the drive, staring at it like it was a cursed artifact. She had the second fracture, but at what cost?
The faces of the masked attackers haunted her, their movements precise and efficient like they'd been trained for this. They weren't just hackers—they were something far more dangerous.
She had to regroup. The Fracture Collective would have answers, or so she hoped.
An hour later, Ashira found herself back at the Collective's hidden base. The air was tense as she stepped inside, her presence immediately drawing attention. The hooded leader, whom she now knew as Reven, stood at the center of the room, speaking in low tones to the others.
"You've returned," Reven said, turning to face her. His eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unyielding. "Do you have the fracture?"
Ashira hesitated before handing him the drive. "I got it, but I wasn't alone. Someone else was there—two of them, and they weren't amateurs. They wanted this."
Reven's expression darkened as he turned the drive over in his hands. "We knew others would come. The Echo Network isn't just a threat to us. There are... factions that want to control it."
"Who are they?" Ashira demanded. "And why do they want this so badly?"
Before Reven could answer, a sharp beep echoed from one of the monitors. A woman seated at the terminal swiveled around, her face pale.
"We've got a trace," she said. "It's not good."
Ashira stepped closer to see the screen. A blinking signal showed an incoming data breach—someone was trying to hack into their systems.
"They've followed her," Reven muttered, his voice cold.
Ashira's heart sank. "What do you mean? I didn't lead anyone here!"
"You didn't have to," Reven replied. "If they've tagged you, they can follow your digital signature anywhere. They'll be here soon."
The room erupted into motion. Members of the Collective scrambled to pack up their equipment, while others prepared for a potential confrontation.
But something felt off to Ashira. Reven's urgency wasn't just about the attackers. It was about her.
As the team worked, she noticed Reven speaking quietly to another member, his gaze flicking toward her. Her instincts screamed at her—this wasn't right.
"Reven," she called out, stepping closer. "What aren't you telling me?"
His eyes narrowed. "You need to leave, Ashira. Now."
"Not until you tell me the truth," she demanded. "What's really going on here?"
Reven hesitated, but before he could respond, the main door burst open. Masked attackers stormed in, their weapons raised. Chaos erupted as the Collective fought back, but it was clear they were outmatched.
Ashira ducked behind a console, her mind racing. She couldn't trust Reven, but she couldn't escape alone either. Then she saw it—a small, hidden exit in the corner of the room.
She made a split-second decision, grabbing the drive from Reven's discarded bag and bolting for the exit.
"Stop her!" Reven shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the chaos.
Ashira didn't look back. She sprinted into the night, the sound of gunfire and shouting fading behind her.