As Emily and Nathan dropped, the world became hazy, and the sound of the wind in her ears overpowered everything else. As they fell toward the construction crane, time seemed to drag on forever. Despite everything, Emily was able to grasp the metal beam sticking out from the crane, even if the ground below them was nothing more than a far-off, terrifying certainty. Her arms almost tore out of their sockets as her body swung abruptly with a jolt. Her heart thumping with a mix of fear and resolve, she gritted her teeth and used every last bit of her effort to lift herself. As they pulled themselves to safety, Nathan did the same, his fingers grabbing hold of the crane. Their limbs were shaking from the fall's aftermath as they lay on the metal platform, struggling to breathe.
Nathan mumbled, his voice wavering, "I can't believe we made it."
"That was crazy," Emily took a while to reply. All she could think was to survive. The males were too near each other. As they realized their victim had gone, she could hear their voices below, coordinating and shouting. But they were safe for the time being. Or so she believed.
Nathan eventually sat up and brushed the mud from his clothes, saying, "Look, we can't keep running forever. We require a strategy. There is Blackwood everywhere. We need trustworthy individuals to assist us."
Emily's thoughts were racing as she gazed out over the downtown skyline. She remembered Margaret, the woman who had been her ally and guide in the past. Emily wasn't so sure now, though. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably. Had Margaret been aware from the beginning? Had she been a Blackwood employee from the start? The parts didn't fit together perfectly.
Emily murmured, "I believe I know someone who can help," having already made up her decision. However, she secretly doubted that she could trust this individual. Margaret had always given off the impression of being so trustworthy and devoted, but devotion was brittle in this environment. The choice was made. Margaret was their destination.
What if, however, this was a trap? What if Emily was initially being pursued because of the woman who had served as her mentor?
Emily's phone buzzed in her pocket as though to confirm her suspicions. Margaret's name flashed on the screen as she withdrew it, her fingers shaking. Emily felt her heart race faster. Should she respond to it? Was this the point at which things started to fall apart, or should she take the chance of putting her trust in her mentor once more? She hesitated before responding.
"Margaret?"
After a moment of stillness, the cool collected voice on the other end spoke. "Emily. I am aware that you are out there. You're with Nathan, I know that. I am aware that you are attempting to halt this. With a tinge of something almost remorseful, she lowered her voice. "However, you're stepping into a trap."
Emily's throat tightened with breath. "What are you discussing?"
"Emily, you don't get it. The individuals you are facing possess an excessive amount of power. You will eventually find yourself in a situation where nobody can assist you if you continue to dig."
Although Margaret's tone was almost melancholy, as if she were warning Emily, there was another undertone that Emily was unable to identify.
"What are you saying? Why are you stating this to me?" Emily's voice had become stern as a mounting awareness weighed heavily on her. "Are you—are you collaborating with Blackwood, Margaret?"
The other person paused for a long time, and Emily briefly believed the call was over. Margaret's voice was a whisper, yet it was tinged with a terrible finality.
"Emily, I'm attempting to keep you safe. However, time is running short. Have you not viewed the files? The activation technique, Project Eden, is more extensive than you may imagine. Power and money aren't the only factors. It has to do with control. And who is responsible for it? To ensure its success, they will do whatever it takes."
Although Emily's heart sank, she was unable to let the terror overcome her.
"Margaret, I have the proof. Everything is there. If the appropriate individuals receive this—"
"No," Margaret interrupted abruptly. "If you report this to the authorities if you even consider doing so—"
She was interrupted by the creak of a door. There was the distinct sound of footsteps—a person was coming into the room. A subtle murmur in the background, the rustle of papers.
"Margaret?" Emily's voice trembled with fear and incredulity. "What's happening? Where are you?"
The other end of the line was silent for a time. There was a faint click, the faint sound of heavy breathing, and then the line died. The screen of Emily's phone went dark.
"No," she said to herself as her gut twisted. It was too spotless. Too calculating. She was interrupted by Margaret. Was there anyone else listening? Had she always been collaborating with Blackwood?
"No," Emily said again in a hollow voice. "No, no, no."
Pulling her out of her reverie, Nathan took hold of her arm. "What took place? What was it she said?"
With a detached tone, Emily answered, "I don't know. However, she is concealing something. Furthermore, I don't believe she is still on our side."
The situation weighed heavily on her, sending a shiver down her spine. The hasty conclusion of the call, Margaret's warning, the icy finality of her remarks… It was simply too much to overlook. Emily had always relied on her, viewed her as a mentor, and trusted her. Emily's instincts, however, seemed to be the only thing she could trust at this point, and they were warning her that everything had changed.
Emily replied, her voice almost audible above a whisper, "I think we've been played. Margaret has always been employed by Blackwood."
Nathan's eyes grew wide with insight. "So she's been giving you information the entire time? Assisting you in discovering Blackwood's mysteries?"
Emily gave a slow nod. "This entire situation was set up by her. She handed the file to me. She was aware that it would put me right in his grasp."
Nathan remarked incredulously, "Then she's the reason Blackwood knows you're onto him. And she's interrupting you now?"
Emily, we can't rely on her. We must relocate. Right now."
Knowing that the path ahead was more hazardous and dark than ever, they both turned with racing hearts.
The sound of sirens cut through the night air as they were about to leave the rooftop. Emily's heart froze. They were already being pursued, and it wasn't just Blackwood's men this time.