With glass fragments flying down, Emily dove behind the table, her heart thumping in her breast. The shouts of the waitress, the sound of heavy boots breaking glass, and the distinctive click of a pistol being cocked all contributed to the panic that engulfed the diner.
"Come down!" Pulling his laptop and flash drive off the table and stuffing them into his backpack, Nathan snarled. "They are available to you."
With tiny gasps of breath, Emily looked out from beneath the table. Two men with severe, predatory expressions and dark clothing came into the diner. Like hunters looking for prey, their eyes roamed the room. She was noticed by one of them.
"There!"
Emily's veins were flooded with adrenaline. Taking Nathan by the arm, she pulled him to the rear of the diner.
"Kitchen!" she yelled frantically.
As the men came around the counter, the sound of their footsteps reverberated. Emily and Nathan rushed into the kitchen via the swinging door as a shot rang out, splintering the counter behind them. As they staggered inside, Nathan gripped his bag and muttered curses.
Emily's thoughts were racing. A way out had to exist. An emergency exit sign above a steel door caught her attention as she scanned the crowded room.
"There!" she gestured.
Emily pushed the door open as the men crashed into the kitchen, and the chilly night air slapped her. Their footsteps echoed off the brick walls as they dashed into the alley.
"They're not going to stop!" Nathan's voice was rough with terror as he gasped.
Emily remained silent. He was correct. Anyone who assisted her was considered expendable by Blackwood's soldiers. As long as she was not heard, they would not stop. However, she was unable to consider such at this time. Not with the truth so near.
Running for blocks, they made their way through tight alleys and dark streets until they came to a small parking garage. As Nathan took out his laptop, Emily leaned against a post, her lungs burning.
"What do you do?" she muttered.
Nathan's fingers flitted across the keyboard without raising his gaze. "I'm supporting this. We lose everything if we misplace the flash disk."
Emily kept watch, looking around the deserted streets for any indication of a chase. Her chest grew constricted. For what length of time could they run?
"We need to decide what to do next, Nathan," she said. "We can't run indefinitely."
At first, he kept his eyes fixed on the television and didn't respond. Then he froze, his face going white.
"What?" Emily stepped up and demanded.
Nathan swiveled the laptop in her direction. "There's more," he remarked somberly. A series of emails with eerie subject lines appeared on the screen:
Phase One of Asset AcquisitionPhase Two of ConsolidationPhase Three: Activation of Eden
"Eden Activation: What is it?" Emily scowled. One of the emails was clicked by Nathan. It was sent to a list of powerful military officers, tech tycoons, and politicians. Emily's stomach rumbled as she read the text:
"Gentlemen,
Now is the time to start Phase Three. All assets are secured, and the foundation is finished. By altering the global order, Project Eden will guarantee our supremacy for many years to come. In 72 hours, activation will start. The test subjects are prepared. Failure is not an option.
D.B."
She read with trembling hands. Subjects of tests? What plans does he have? Scrolling over comprehensive notes about containment units, biohazard procedures, and something dubbed "Eden Serum Deployment," Nathan opened an associated file.
Nathan firmly stated, "This isn't just about murder or corruption. Blackwood is planning a huge event. This—this is a worldwide issue."
Emily felt sick to her stomach. She believed she was pursuing a story about corporate greed and political bribery. This, however, was something much worse.
"What are we going to do?" Nathan hardly raised his voice above a whisper.
Emily inhaled deeply. "We reveal him. We bring this to the attention of the media and the authorities. Someone must be aware."
Nathan gave a headshake. "The names on those emails were visible to you. He is in control of the government. The press is bought off to a half. Is this anything Blackwood hasn't prepared for?"
Her chest grew constricted. He was correct. Blackwood's power came from control, not merely wealth or connections. However, a way had to exist. Then Margaret's warning that "they're coming for you" came back to her. What if Margaret was more informed? What if she held the secret to defeating Blackwood?
Emily firmly stated, "We're going to Margaret, Nathan."
Before Nathan could reply, the garage was filled with the sound of tires squealing. A black SUV sped towards them, its headlights sweeping across the concrete walls. Nathan replied, his voice growing panicked, "They found us."
Emily took hold of his arm. "Get moving!"
Armed men poured out of the SUV as it screeched to a halt, their boots resonating menacingly. Gunfire exploded behind Emily and Nathan as they ran for the stairway, their footsteps booming. With the metropolis in front of them, they exploded onto the rooftop. However, there was nowhere else to flee to. Frantically, Nathan peered around.
"What comes next?"
Emily's gaze was fixed on a construction crane that was protruding from the building next door. It was a long shot, but it was the only thing they could do. Her voice remained steady while the terror tore at her chest.
"We leap."
Nathan's gaze expanded. "Are you crazy?"
She took hold of his arm while looking directly into his eyes. "Do you think I'm trustworthy?"
The armed guys stormed onto the rooftop before he could respond. Emily didn't think twice. With the crane looming ahead like a lifeline, she tugged Nathan toward the edge. She jumped into the emptiness, dragging Nathan along as the first gunshot rang out.
As Nathan and Emily sped through the air, the city lights below became hazy smudges. As the crane approached, time seemed to stop. Would they succeed—or fail and die?