She stood alone outside a warehouse while frost chased sharp lines along Noah's skin and held a small USB tightly in the palms of her hands. Chaos relented, but the heaviness remained. Marcus may have moved on, but the threat cleared with him. Noah knew that the struggle lay ahead.Mia walks toward him and stands close to her, the crease around her mouth reading "concern." "Noah, what's next?"His stare fixed on the USB drive in his hand as his mind raced with different possibilities. "Find out what's on this drive, and make sure it doesn't stay buried."Derek walked over to them, face unreadable. "We should go somewhere under cover. If Marcus's network is still active, they will come after you now that you have become the face of Sara's rebellion."He held on to that drive tighter. "Then let us finish what she started."-Hours later, they were cuckooed up at Derek's safehouse, a typical apartment on the outside of the city. The blinds are closed against the world, and there would be little light if it weren't for Noah, who had just plugged in the USB device, at this moment illuminated by his screen.Mia was seated next to him, hand straight resting on his arm for comfort, as Derek stood behind them, staring behind and watching with aching eyes.The torrents of file started charging, which laid bare a gold mine of information: the names, transactions, and documents tying Marcus along with his cohorts to illegal undertaking and then there were serial videos recorded by her own Sara herself.With a click, Noah activated the initial video. His mother's image appeared on screen affectedly minus the warmth."Sara's voice, firm despite what she was saying, began, "Noah: if you are hearing this, it means that I did not make it. But it also means you have the key to everything. Within this drive is all the evidence needed for tearing down Marcus's empire while immediately protecting his victims. It won't be easy though; you will face foes who will go to any lengths to shut you up. Be stronger. Be smarter. And never lose sight of who you are." Noah swallowed the lump in his throat while watching the message from his mother. She knew all along that fighting Marcus would cost her everything, but she would stand against him anyway."She was preparing you for this," Mia said softly, squeezing his arm.Noah nodded, resolve hardening. "I'm not going to let her sacrifice go in vain."---The next video exposed something more amazing-a secret ledger revealing the global network of corruption connecting politicians and corporations to Marcus's operation. These were powerful names: untouchable, the kind of people who could rain a life of hell through a phone call."This isn't just about Marcus," Derek said, leaning closer. "This goes way deeper. You expose this, and you're taking on a system built to crush people like us.""Good," Noah said, his voice steady. "It's time someone fought back."Just when a plan was forming, the shattering of glass echoed across the room."Duck!" shouted Derek, drawing his gun as bullets flew through the windows.Noah grabbed Mia, pulling her behind the couch as all hell broke loose around them."They found us!" howled Mia, panic-stricken.Derek returned fire, every movement hard and accurate. "We need to move! Now!".Noah clutched the laptop along with the USB drive and shoved the things into his bag. He heaved a glance at Mia, whose heart was racing. "Stay close to me."They crawled toward the rear exit through the dry rain of bullets. Derek defended them intently, shutting both eyes off, even to the side view, taking down two of Marcus's men."Go!" He's yelling with careless abandon, backing off the door.He and Mia broke out already, breaths heavy and beats in the alley behind the building. Moments later, Derek would come after them, blood dripping from a graze at his arm."Split up," he said urgently, "they're going to keep coming for all of us if we stay together.""No," Noah said firmly. "We're stronger as a team."Derek shook his head. "You have what they want. If you don't make it out, everything your mother fought for dies with you. Take Mia and go. I'll buy you time."He hesitated. He wanted to fight, but the place where that train of thought led felt too heavy a responsibility."Go!" Derek barked, throwing him toward the street.---Noah and Mia ran until their legs burned, finally ducking into an abandoned warehouse a few blocks away. Noah set his bag down, his hands trembling as he pulled out the laptop."Are you okay?" Mia asked, her voice gentle despite the tension.He nodded, though his expression was grim. "I just hope Derek makes it out."Mia then joined him, letting her head rest on his shoulder. "He's strong. He'll be okay."Noah closed his eyes for a moment; this warmth settled him. Despite the danger, it reminded him of everything he was fighting for-not only justice but also a life away from fear and shadows.That night, he worked his socks off to back up all files on lots of servers, each keystroke a battle against time, with Marcus's last surviving supporters closing in.In the meantime, Mia was watching him, her eyes combining admiration and concern. "You are fantastic at that."He turned his head slightly to her, and a small smile broke the exhaustion. "I try to be right.""Of course, you are," she said and leaned closer. "Your mom would be really proud of you."Their eyes locked, their beauty drawing them closer. Even though there would be chaos everywhere, the world had stopped at that moment and would not move until their soft, slow kiss had ended.Noah leaned over to her and rested his forehead against hers. "Anything could happen, but I'm glad you're with me," Noah said."Always," Mia whispered, very quietly but with great determination.---But at once, it was broken by the sound of footsteps nearer.Noah felt his heart sink as he threw his bag over his shoulder and motioned Mia to get down. The door creaked open, revealing a shadow figure stepping inside."Noah," called a husky voice he recognized.Derek was battered but breathing. He raised a hand to indicate he was alone."They're catching their breath," Derek was saying, his voice dour. "We don't have much time. If it's going to end, it must now."Noah stood firm, his determination now stronger than ever. "Then let's put an end to it."To Be Continued...