The woods were a mess of winter whispers, branches shuddering like skeletal fingers against the sharp, biting wind. Finn crouched, barely a ripple in the world around him, each movement smooth as oil—calculating, careful, like the quiet of a predator stalking its prey. His eyes—cold, sharp blue—flashed between shadows, measuring every inch. Ahead, the steel fence loomed, massive, a cold barrier between him and whatever secrets lay beyond.
A gap in the fence. Unattended. Silent.
His breath stalled in his chest as he took in the dark, the weak glow of the warehouse lights barely enough to illuminate his thoughts, let alone the space ahead. His fingers curled, and his jaw tightened, a subtle tension in his bones. He felt the weight of it all—every second, every sound—clinging to him.
He looked up at the fence again, and the spikes—they glinted like a mocking grin. Not an easy climb. Not even close.
Fuck.
The word didn't escape. It stayed, clawing at the back of his thoughts. There was no room for noise now. No room for anything. He scanned again, every inch of his surroundings, eyes flicking to the darkness and then back to the fence, pushing his mind for something, anything. A solution. A way.
The wind, restless, filled the silence between his thoughts, and Finn moved again, not a sound, not a whisper.
Finn's fingers slipped into the inside pocket of his coat, finding the familiar cool metal of his small knife. He drew it out, its blade sharp, but not without its resistance—cutting through steel was never easy. He paused, eyes scanning the surrounding darkness, listening to the winter night's stillness. No one. No sounds. Just the rustle of distant leaves.
He pressed the blade carefully against the steel fence, the cold surface biting into his skin as he applied pressure. Slowly, cautiously, he started working the blade along the fence. Each movement was deliberate, but the blade didn't cut through easily. The steel resisted, and Finn's muscles strained, sweat gathering beneath his coat despite the winter chill. His breath was steady, and each scrape of the blade against the metal seemed too loud in the quiet of the night.
Patience. He needed patience. His thoughts echoed in his mind as he pushed forward, inch by inch. His body was poised, waiting for the slightest noise to alert him. Nothing. He couldn't afford to make a sound. Not now. Not yet.
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Kai and Julia's POV:
They were perched atop a large rise in the earth, a hill-like mound that gave them a commanding view of the scene below. The winter forest sprawled out behind them, silent, as if even the trees were holding their breath. The only other thing that broke the silence was the dead man Kai had killed earlier, his lifeless body lying in the snow beside them. The rifle he'd discarded gleamed faintly under the dim light, a silent reminder of the violence that had unfolded.
In his hand, the man clutched a small sachet of marijuana, a strange, almost absurd memento of a life lost.
Kai's gaze never wavered from the distant guards, pacing the warehouse grounds. His expression was unreadable, but his presence was a quiet storm of focus. His breath came steady, calm, the kind of concentration that preceded action.
Beside him, Julia's eyes darted between the guards and the body. She kept low, her blue eyes sharp, every muscle in her body at attention. The scene in front of them was clear—too clear. The men in black uniforms moved in sync, rifles ready, scanning the grounds with an almost mechanical precision.
Kai's hand slipped into his coat's inner pocket. His fingers brushed against something small, something hidden. He didn't speak, but his body was a steady beacon of intent.
"Keep watching…" His voice was barely more than a whisper, so soft that it could've been the wind itself speaking.
Julia nodded, her gaze locked on the warehouse. She was used to this—used to the silence before a storm.
Kai's eyes shifted, a hint of something behind them as he retrieved a small, star-shaped pendant box from his coat. With a fluid motion, he opened it. Inside were pills—small, unassuming, but calming in their effect.
"What is that?" she asked quietly, her curiosity creeping into her voice, her eyes reading hik curiously.
Kai's blue eyes flicked to hers, and then back to the guards below, his focus never wavering. "Calming pills," he said, his voice steady, like he was speaking about something trivial. "Reduces stress, trauma... helps me stay calm. But it doesn't make me weaker."
Julia's eyes narrowed slightly as she watched him. She knew better than anyone that Kai's calmness was what made him ruthless. These pills didn't change that; they only made his control sharper, his movements more deliberate.
Kai took one and swallowed it without a second thought, the small tablet dissolving in seconds, putting the pendant back to his coat. His hand rested casually over his concealed gun, fingers tightening ever so slightly.
Julia didn't say anything more. She knew the calm before a storm all too well. Instead, she shifted her gaze back to the guards, the shadows, the silent night around them. The waiting. The anticipation.
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Finn's POV
Finn's hand tightened around the steel, the only sound the sharp scrape of his small knife against the metal fence.
Fuck... This is going to take forever.
The thought hit him, his grip loosening as he stepped back from the fence, sliding the knife back into his coat. He looked around, ensuring he was still alone. All he saw was the dark wintered grass and the surrounding trees.
His gaze lifted to the spikes atop the fence. His mind lingered on one thought.
Do I really have to do this?
The question lingered, but strangely, it felt like the decision had already been made. The consequences loomed, but they didn't feel as heavy as they should.
Finn reached for his pistol inside his coat, pulling it out and adjusting it into the band of his trousers. After tightening his belt to make sure it wouldn't fall, he took off his coat and held it in front of him like a display. The cold winter air nipped at his skin, but he barely felt it as he placed the coat onto the ground, the fabric now resting in the wintered grass.
He pulled the cigarette pack from his coat pocket and tucked it into his trousers before pulling the blade from the inner pocket. Without a second thought, he began cutting through his coat, the sharp edge of the knife slicing through the fabric. He worked quickly, each cut deliberate, the sound of the blade making contact with the fabric muffled by the stillness of the night.
...
Finn successfully cut the coat in half. The sound of the fabric tearing was sharp, louder than he expected, a sudden break that seemed to reverberate through the silent winter air. The stillness of the woods and the distant warehouse made the sound feel louder than it actually was.
He didn't hear it, nor did he notice when his phone slipped from his trouser's pocket, landing softly on the wintered grass. The phone made no sound against the cold earth—it was drowned out by the loud snap of fabric.
Finn's attention remained fixed on the coat. He quickly wrapped the cut pieces around his hands, twisting the fabric tightly until both halves were securely covering his hands like makeshift Muay Thai hand wraps. The fabric was now sturdy, offering the protection he needed for what was to come.
Finn stood up, his eyes locked onto the spikes of the fence. With a slow, calculated motion, he began to climb, utilizing every trick he'd learned over the years to scale the steel quietly. His body moved with practiced stealth, the darkness of the night concealing him as he made his way upward.
As he neared the top, the sharp lines of the spikes loomed closer.
Fuck.
The thought struck him like a punch to the gut. His hands tightened around the cold metal, fingers wrapping around the spiked tips as he pushed himself upward. He gripped harder, finding a secure hold with both hands, but his legs were another story. His thighs hovered awkwardly just above the sharp points, one foot bracing itself in the gap between the spikes.
Fuck.
The second thought hit him just as the first did. His position was a mess. He needed to get over the fence quickly, but his foot slipped—his other leg unable to find solid ground. The shift in his weight sent him falling slightly, his thigh impaling itself on one of the spikes.
The pain exploded through him, but he bit back the yell that threatened to escape his lips. A sharp, muffled groan escaped him instead, his body trembling with the intensity of the wound. His hands still gripped the spikes, his coat-covered fingers finding some measure of comfort in the cold steel, but the pain in his thigh was unbearable.
Blood spurted from the wound, staining the metal and dripping down onto the grass below. He held his breath, his body rigid as he fought against the agony, one thigh still caught in the fence, the other awkwardly positioned on the other side.
Keep quiet. Stay focused.
His thoughts raced as he struggled to maintain control, unwilling to let the pain expose him now. He had to get over the fence.
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Kai and Julia's POV
"Finn is taking too long," Kai muttered, his voice steady but edged with curiosity. His watch flickered to life as he pressed a small button on the side. "Show me Finn's health."
The holographic display projected into the frosty night air, a faint blue light casting shadows on their surroundings.
The screen displayed:
Heart Rate: 108 bpm
Blood Pressure: 140/90
Oxygen Saturation: 96%
Stress Level: Moderate
Kai narrowed his eyes, his calm exterior unchanged. "His vitals are stable," he said softly, almost to himself.
Julia, crouched beside him, whipped her head around. "Stable? He's not reporting back, Kai! Something's wrong."
Kai didn't flinch, his gaze fixed on the glowing screen. "He's calm. That's what matters."
Julia's frustration bubbled over. "Calm? He's obviously stuck or injured. You don't just stop reporting for fun!"
Kai tilted his head slightly, finally looking at her. "If it were critical, his vitals would reflect it. Whatever's happening, he's handling it."
Julia threw up her hands, exhaling sharply. "Handling it? What if he's bleeding out? What if he's caught? We can't just sit here!"
Kai turned off the display and leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "Panicking won't help him."
"Then make a plan!" Julia snapped, her red hair falling into her face as she gestured toward the warehouse. "You're the strategist. What do we do if he's in trouble?"
Kai's gaze drifted toward the distant warehouse, his mind calculating the variables. "We wait," he said finally, his voice steady and deliberate.
Julia looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Wait? That's your plan? Just sit here while he could be—"
"If he needed us, he would signal," Kai interrupted, his tone unyielding. "We're here to cover him, not babysit him."
Julia clenched her fists, her breathing heavy as she fought the urge to argue. "You're too calm," she muttered. "It's not normal."
Kai didn't respond, his eyes scanning the shadows around the warehouse. In truth, he didn't like the silence either, but he trusted Finn more than anyone. If Finn wasn't signaling, it meant he still believed he could handle whatever was happening.
Julia turned away, biting her lip. She couldn't shake the gnawing sense of dread in her gut, but Kai's unshakable confidence was the only thing keeping her from storming in herself.
"Trust him," Kai said quietly, his voice cutting through her thoughts. "He's tougher than he looks."
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Finn's POV
Finn remained stuck, gripping the spikes of the fence as his breath puffed out in white clouds against the freezing night. The light spilling from the warehouse entrance ahead cast faint shadows over the yard, while the woods behind him remained cloaked in utter darkness. The contrast made him feel even more exposed.
His impaled thigh throbbed with relentless pain, a deep, fiery ache that threatened to cloud his focus. He glanced around once more, ensuring no guards were nearby. The woods behind him were silent and dark, a void that seemed to stretch forever. Ahead, the faint glow of industrial floodlights illuminated the snow-dusted ground and the towering steel structure of the warehouse.
Fuck, if I don't move now, I'll die.
He inhaled deeply, steadying himself, and pressed his free foot hard against the metal bars below. Slowly, deliberately, he began to lift his impaled thigh.
A wet, sickening sound accompanied the motion as the spike tore through his flesh. Blood trailed down the steel, glistening under the faint light. Finn clenched his teeth so hard he thought they might crack.
"Mm—mmph!" he groaned, muffling the sound as his fingers tightened around the spike, his coat-covered hands trembling under the strain.
Come on, move. Just move.
He adjusted his grip, sweat dripping down his face despite the cold. The light from the warehouse seemed to mock him, casting his silhouette onto the ground below—a stark reminder of how visible he was if anyone happened to look.
With a final pull, the spike released his leg. Blood spurted from the wound, soaking his torn trousers and leaving a dark, wet patch that glistened against the snow. His leg trembled violently as it hovered over the spike, his muscles refusing to cooperate.
Biting down the pain, he shifted his injured leg slowly to the other side, using his free foot to stabilize himself. The warehouse yard loomed ahead, and the light reflected off the steel door, a beacon pulling him forward.
Finally, Finn pushed off with all his strength, propelling himself over the fence. He landed hard, his body hitting the frozen ground with a muffled thud. Pain exploded in his thigh as he rolled onto his side, biting down a scream.
The harsh light from the warehouse revealed the blood trailing from his leg, staining the snow in vivid streaks. Finn forced himself to his elbows, his breaths coming in shallow, sharp gasps. His thigh burned, the deep wound threatening to overwhelm him, but he shook it off.
The faint sound of footsteps near the warehouse pulled him back to reality. He glanced up at the massive steel entrance, shadows moving just beyond the light.
No time to stop.
He pressed his coat against the wound, using it to stem the bleeding as best he could. His mind sharpened, blocking out the pain. Finn crawled forward, his gaze locked on the shadows by the warehouse door.
Finn's breath was shallow, his mind racing as he hurriedly unwrapped his coat from his hands. The fabric was still clean, the blood from his thigh wound staining only the part where he had pressed it against the wound. His hands, still untouched, moved quickly to wrap the coat around his thigh. He gritted his teeth as he pressed the fabric into the deep gash, trying to stop the bleeding.
The footsteps were getting closer now, the crunch of boots on the snow almost deafening in the stillness of the night. Finn forced himself to stay calm, even as the pain from his impaled thigh throbbed and pulsed, sending waves of dizziness through him.
He didn't have time to think about it. Not now. He needed to move.
With one last look at the coat now tightly wrapped around his thigh, Finn stood, gritting his teeth through the pain, and hurried to the pile of boxes stacked near the entrance of the warehouse. He slid between them, hiding as best he could, his gun now gripped firmly in his hand, ready for whatever came next.
The footsteps drew nearer. Finn's pulse quickened, but he kept his breathing steady, trying to ignore the growing ache in his leg. He had to stay focused. He had to stay quiet.
The shadow was almost upon him now. Finn could hear the crunch of the snow, the faint rustle of fabric. His free hand gripped the gun, fingers wrapping tightly around it as he steadied himself, listening carefully for the man's next move.
Then, just as the shadow reached the bloodstained ground, Finn couldn't wait any longer. His grip tightened, and in a single, fluid motion, he raised his gun, peeking around the corner of the boxes.
The shot rang out, echoing through the night. The man crumpled immediately, his body jerking once before slumping to the ground in a lifeless heap. The rifle fell from his hands, landing beside him in the snow.
Finn didn't move at first. He stayed hidden, his heart pounding in his chest, ears ringing from the sharp sound of the shot. He knew the noise had carried, that the other guards would hear it.
But there was no time to waste. He had to move, and fast.
He quickly scanned the area, his gaze flicking to the dark expanse of the woods behind the warehouse. The night was still, but Finn knew it wouldn't stay quiet for long. The clock was ticking.
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Kai and Julia's POV
The gunshot ripped through the night, sharp and sudden. Kai was already moving, his gaze locked on the warehouse.
"It's Finn. We move, follow me," he commanded, his voice cold but decisive.
Julia didn't need another word. She was already on her feet, her heart pounding in her chest.
The guards, thrown off by the sound, scattered in confusion. Some rushed toward the woods, others veered to the edges of the warehouse, scanning the shadows.
Julia's pulse raced, her fingers twitching at her sides as she dropped into a crouch. Focus, stay calm. Her breath hitched slightly. No time for fear. Not now.
Kai moved ahead, and without thinking, Julia followed, falling into the rhythm she knew so well. There was no time for hesitation, no room for second-guessing. But as they moved, her mind churned. Was Finn okay? Was it just a warning shot, or had something gone wrong?
The grass parted under her feet as they slipped through the dark. She heard her heart drumming in her ears, louder than any footstep. What if I'm too slow? What if I'm not ready for whatever's coming?
Suddenly, as they moved quickly but quietly, Kai's hand brushed against her waist. It was brief, an unintentional touch—but the effect on Julia was immediate. Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt her pulse quicken even more, not from fear this time, but from a thrilling excitement she hadn't anticipated.
Kai didn't even seem to notice, focused on their path ahead, but Julia froze for a moment, her heart thumping wildly. What was that? Her mind whirled for a second. Stay calm. This is not the time for distractions.
But the feeling lingered, her body a little more aware of his presence now, of the way they moved together, side by side. The thrill of the mission merged with something else, something sharper, something that made her feel alive in a way she hadn't expected. Focus. Don't let this throw you off.
Kai's voice cut through her thoughts. "Let's go."
She nodded, trying to push the warmth rising in her chest aside, the mixture of fear and exhilaration running through her. I can't back down. I won't.
With each step, the distance between them and the chaos ahead shrank. The warehouse loomed larger, the shadows thicker. Just keep moving. Don't look back. Don't think. Just go.
The world around her seemed to fall away, the sounds of their movement merging with the thudding of her heart. I'm not afraid. Not yet.