Ethan's POV
The roar of collapsing walls reverberated in my ears as I yanked Sophia through the dimly lit tunnel. My chest burned with adrenaline, my mind racing ahead. Every footfall echoed with the knowledge that we were seconds from being buried alive—or worse, caught.
Sophia's breath came in shallow gasps behind me, but she didn't falter. Despite the fear etched on her face, she kept moving. She had no idea just how dangerous this game had become, and I couldn't let her fall victim to it.
"Faster!" I urged, glancing over my shoulder.
The facility groaned like a dying beast, chunks of concrete falling from the ceiling as the explosions continued to shake its foundation. Langston's plan was crystal clear now—he wasn't just covering his tracks. He was obliterating them.
And I had led her straight into the trap.
We reached the end of the tunnel, a rusted door standing between us and freedom. I didn't hesitate. My shoulder slammed into the door, the impact jarring through me as the metal screeched open.
Cold night air hit my face like a slap.
"We're out," I muttered, stepping aside to pull Sophia through. Her wide eyes scanned the dense forest that surrounded the crumbling research facility, the moonlight barely illuminating the path ahead.
"For now," she whispered, her voice trembling.
She wasn't wrong. Langston's men wouldn't give up. Not until the secrets I carried were buried six feet under.
I let the door swing shut behind us, the distant sounds of destruction muffled by the heavy steel. Turning to her, I saw the questions brimming in her eyes, the unspoken accusations that cut deeper than any bullet.
"Start talking," she demanded, folding her arms as she squared her stance. "What is this really about, Ethan? Why does Langston want you dead? Why is Blackwood Industries involved in this... nightmare?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose, the weight of everything pressing down on me. For years, I had buried the truth, locked it away where no one—not even myself—could touch it. But now, the lies were unraveling faster than I could contain them.
"Langston was my mentor," I began, my voice cold and detached. "Years ago, he headed a project under Blackwood Industries—one designed to revolutionize medical science. Genetic engineering, to be precise."
Sophia's eyes widened, her lips parting in disbelief. "You mean... human experimentation?"
I nodded grimly. "It started with animals, testing limits, pushing boundaries. But Langston... he had no boundaries. He moved to human trials without oversight, without consent. Blackwood funded it, unknowingly at first. By the time I found out, it was too late. People died, Sophia. Innocent people."
Her hand flew to her mouth, her face paling. "And you... you were part of this?"
"I didn't know the full extent," I said, my voice low. "Not until the damage was done. When I confronted Langston, he threatened to expose me. Said I was as guilty as he was for not stopping it sooner."
Sophia took a step back, her eyes narrowing. "So you buried it. You let him walk away, let Blackwood sweep it under the rug."
"Yes," I admitted, the weight of the confession threatening to crush me. "And I've regretted it every day since. But Langston wasn't finished. He took the research underground, built a network of labs across the globe. That's what this is about—shutting him down for good."
The silence between us was deafening, the distant sound of sirens growing louder. Sophia's gaze burned into me, a mixture of disgust and pity that I couldn't bear.
"You should have told me," she finally said, her voice trembling with emotion.
"I couldn't," I said, stepping closer. "The fewer people who knew, the safer they were. I couldn't risk dragging you into this."
"Well, it's a little late for that," she shot back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
I reached for her hand, but she pulled away, her expression hardening.
"Ethan," she said, her voice breaking, "I trusted you. I thought I knew who you were, but this... this is too much."
Before I could respond, the sound of approaching vehicles snapped us both back to reality. Headlights cut through the trees, the unmistakable rumble of engines growing closer.
"They found us," I muttered, my jaw tightening.
Sophia's fear melted into determination as she turned toward the forest. "What's the plan?"
I hesitated, my mind racing. "We keep moving. There's a safe house a few miles from here. If we can reach it, we'll be safe for the night."
"And after that?" she pressed.
"After that," I said grimly, "we end this."
The forest was a labyrinth of shadows, every snapping twig and rustling leaf setting my nerves on edge. Sophia stayed close, her breathing steady despite the chaos swirling around us.
I had underestimated her. She wasn't just a journalist chasing a story—she was a fighter, someone who wouldn't back down, no matter how dangerous the game became.
But that only made me more determined to protect her.
As we pushed deeper into the woods, the sound of the vehicles faded, replaced by the rhythmic pounding of our footsteps. The safe house was close now—a cabin tucked away in the heart of the forest, invisible to anyone who didn't know where to look.
When we finally reached it, I paused, scanning the area for any signs of movement. Satisfied that we weren't being followed, I led Sophia inside.
The cabin was sparse but functional, with a small kitchen, a worn-out sofa, and a single bedroom. It wasn't much, but it would do.
"We'll rest here," I said, locking the door behind us.
Sophia nodded, sinking onto the sofa with a heavy sigh. "What happens if Langston gets away?"
"He won't," I said firmly, though the uncertainty gnawed at me.
She studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. "You're not just fighting for redemption, are you? This is personal."
I didn't respond, but the answer was written all over my face.
Langston hadn't just betrayed me—he had destroyed lives, stolen futures. And if I couldn't stop him, then everything I'd done, every lie I'd told, would be for nothing.
As I sat across from Sophia, the weight of our situation settled ove
r me.
The truth was out now. The lies were crumbling.
And there was no going back.