The safe house was quiet, too quiet for Mia's comfort. Since they'd joined forces with Sebastian Harlow, the tension between them had grown. He was a man of few words, preferring to keep his cards close to his chest. But despite his assurances, Mia couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
Sebastian's help had been invaluable, providing access to the Circle's networks and some of its hidden operations, but he was a master manipulator. Mia had seen that in his eyes—the cold, calculating gaze that never seemed to rest.
They'd spent days planning, poring over maps and intelligence, trying to figure out how to dismantle the Circle once and for all. Sebastian had promised that they were close to uncovering their main headquarters, but Mia's instincts kept telling her that they were playing right into his hands.
Leo, on the other hand, had grown more trusting of Sebastian. His natural optimism made him hopeful, but Mia wasn't so easily fooled.
That night, as they huddled around the dimly lit table in the makeshift command center, Sebastian leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled as if in deep contemplation.
"We're close, Mia," he said, his voice low but steady. "I've managed to get access to their inner circle. We're going to take them down, but we need to move fast. Time's running out."
Mia's gaze hardened. "How do we know we can trust you? After everything that's happened, I'm not so sure we should be taking orders from you."
Sebastian smiled, a cold, almost imperceptible curve of his lips. "You don't have to trust me, Mia. But I'm your best shot at getting this done. Don't forget that."
His words were clipped, and Mia felt a wave of unease wash over her.
Leo, ever the optimist, was already nodding. "I agree. Sebastian's the one who's been able to get us this far. We need to follow his lead."
Mia clenched her fists, fighting back the growing frustration. She knew Leo was right, but something about Sebastian didn't sit well with her. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what, but it was as if the man was always two steps ahead, and she didn't like it.
"Alright," Mia said, exhaling sharply. "Let's get this over with."
---
The next few days were a blur of planning, surveillance, and preparation. The team had located a key Circle facility hidden under a disused industrial complex. It was a high-risk operation, and Mia's nerves were fraying with each passing hour. They had to move quickly before the Circle got wind of their plans.
As they gathered their gear, Sebastian gave them one last briefing.
"You all know your roles," he said, his voice cool and controlled. "Mia, Leo, you'll be in charge of setting up the perimeter. I'll handle the inside. Once we're in, we'll disable their communications and take out their key players. This ends tonight."
Mia nodded, but she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was off. It was too easy. Sebastian's calm demeanor, his complete confidence—it all felt like a trap.
As the team set off in their respective directions, Mia felt the tension rise. They were walking into the lion's den, and something told her Sebastian wasn't planning to walk out.
---
The plan was set in motion, and as they neared the facility, Mia's heart pounded in her chest. The air was thick with the anticipation of what was to come.
Leo was beside her, his usual reassuring presence giving her a modicum of comfort, but even he seemed on edge tonight.
"We'll be fine," he said, his voice more subdued than usual.
Mia didn't respond. She was too focused on the task ahead. The facility loomed in the distance, a dark silhouette against the dimly lit sky. They had come too far to back out now.
They split up at the outer perimeter, with Mia and Leo taking the west side and Sebastian making his way around the back. Everything had been meticulously planned. Every detail accounted for. At least, that's what they'd thought.
As Mia and Leo reached the building's entrance, the silence around them became almost suffocating. Mia's pulse raced as she glanced over her shoulder, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.
"We're in position," Leo whispered into his comm, but Mia was already moving. She couldn't wait for orders this time.
Without warning, she darted through the open door, her heart pounding in her chest. She was ready to face whatever was inside. She heard Leo's footsteps behind her as they made their way deeper into the facility.
But as they turned a corner, they were met with an unexpected sight.
A group of armed men stood waiting for them. It was an ambush.
"Mia!" Leo shouted, his voice full of panic.
Before Mia could react, the men raised their weapons, and gunfire rang out. Mia ducked behind cover, her mind racing. This wasn't part of the plan.
She reached for her comm. "Sebastian, we need backup—now!"
But there was no response.
"Sebastian?" Mia repeated, growing frantic.
Still nothing.
"Mia," Leo said, his voice trembling. "What's happening?"
"I don't know," Mia said, her eyes darting around the room. "This is a setup."
Leo looked at her, confusion and fear in his eyes. "But… Sebastian? He promised—"
Before Mia could respond, she felt a sharp, piercing pain in her side. She gasped, stumbling back, her vision blurring.
And then, she heard Sebastian's voice, cold and full of malice.
"I warned you, Mia. You should have trusted me."
Mia's breath caught in her throat as she turned toward the sound of his voice.
Sebastian stood in the doorway, a smug smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"It's over," he said softly.
And just like that, everything they had fought for, everything they had risked, was slipping away.