The catacombs were eerily quiet as they emerged from the crypt into a narrow passage lit only by the flickering beam of Cassie's flashlight. The labyrinth beneath Prague was a maze of tunnels, some marked with centuries-old symbols, others crumbling into dark voids that seemed to reach into nothingness. Erik had slung Marcus' pistol into his belt, while Anya, her expression set in fierce determination, kept her eyes fixed ahead.
"We'll need to move fast," Erik muttered, glancing over his shoulder as the sound of distant footsteps resonated somewhere behind them. "The agency's operatives will be down here soon."
Cassie nodded, her mind racing with thoughts of their next steps. The list in their possession wasn't just proof of corruption; it was the agency's darkest secrets laid bare—names of politicians, foreign assets, double agents—all woven into a global web of manipulation. A map of power and betrayal.
Anya's voice broke into her thoughts. "There's an exit up ahead that connects to the river. If we reach it before they catch up, we can disappear into the night."
"Lead the way," Cassie urged, her grip tightening on the flashlight.
The trio moved quickly, their footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. Cassie's heart pounded, not just from the exertion but from the weight of what they now held. Exposing the list meant risking everything. The agency would not just come after them—it would hunt them down, erasing every trace of their existence.
The tunnel widened, opening into a cavernous chamber where underground streams trickled over ancient rock formations. The air was damp, thick with the scent of wet stone. A wooden ladder rested against the far wall, its age showing in the splintered rungs. It led up to a narrow grate that opened near the riverbank.
Anya stopped, turning to face Cassie and Erik. "This is it. Once we're out, we'll need to split up to draw attention away from the list. I'll take one copy; you take the original."
"No," Erik interjected, shaking his head. "We need to stay together. If we split up, they'll pick us off one by one."
Cassie's eyes shifted between them, reading the concern and logic in Erik's expression and the determined resilience in Anya's. She exhaled sharply, making her decision. "Anya's right. They're tracking us, and the best way to throw them off is to scatter. But we need a rendezvous point—a place to regroup once it's safe."
"Old Town Square," Anya said without hesitation. "The clock tower. Midnight tomorrow."
Erik's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Fine. Just make sure you're both there."
The grate above creaked as Cassie pushed it open, the sound echoing into the night. The city's chill swept over them as they climbed out onto the riverbank, the dark waters of the Vltava glistening under the moonlight. The streets were quiet, the usual bustle of Prague stilled by the lateness of the hour.
Cassie handed the USB to Anya, their fingers brushing in a silent promise. "Be careful."
"You too," Anya whispered, tucking the drive into her coat and slipping into the shadows with practiced ease.
Cassie turned to Erik, who gave her a curt nod. "Time to move," he said, eyes scanning the riverfront for any signs of movement. They set off, weaving between narrow alleyways, avoiding the main roads where streetlights shone with the artificial warmth that now felt like exposure.
"Do you think she'll make it?" Erik asked after a moment, breaking the silence.
Cassie hesitated, her eyes sweeping the rooftops as if the answers were hidden in the dark. "Anya's survived worse. But this time, it's different. The stakes are higher."
They ducked into a side street, the scent of rain-soaked stone and rusted metal filling the air. The tension hummed between them, unspoken but understood.
"Cassie, we need to be prepared for whatever comes next," Erik said, his voice low but firm. "If the agency knows we're out here with that list, they'll send more than just Marcus next time. They'll send everyone."
A sharp noise cut through the air—a muffled thud, followed by hurried footsteps. Cassie's hand went instinctively to her weapon, her pulse spiking. Erik signaled for silence, pressing himself against the wall as they strained to hear.
Two figures emerged from a corner, silhouetted by a distant streetlamp. Cassie's breath caught in her throat. One was an agent, his uniform dark and rigid, eyes scanning the shadows. The other was bound, a hood over their head, stumbling as they were pushed forward. The agent's voice, clipped and stern, barked an order in Czech.
"Move."
The hooded figure stumbled again, and the agent yanked them upright. Cassie's mind raced. Whoever this was, they were important enough to be taken alive.
Erik's eyes met hers, silently asking the question they both dreaded. Intervene and risk everything, or let it go and keep moving? The answer was clear before either could voice it.
Cassie stepped forward, the barrel of her silenced pistol gleaming.