Chapter 4 Close Call

"Move!" The masked man spoke in a loud voice, his weapon barrel pressed into Naya's back. Her mind was pounding as she moved forward. Elena's eyes scan about her, looking for an escape route.

They were shadowed into a dimly lit warehouse where the air was heavy with the odor of oil and metal. It felt alarming to perceive the door bang behind them.

"What do you want?" In an attempt to maintain a constant tone, Naya requested.

The head of the masked men took off his mask and moved forward. His eyes were challenging and calculating, and a scar was on his cheek. "You have something that belongs to us."

Naya's thoughts were racing. The Project Blackthorn data. Her hack must have been traced.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she claimed.

The man grinned. "Don't act foolish, Cipher. We are aware of your identity.

Elena moved forward while clenching her fists. "Let us go, or you'll regret it."

The man chuckled icily. "Very brave words. However, you are not in a position to threaten."

Naya felt her heart race. They had to get away, but how?

The air was suddenly filled with sirens. The man's face changed to one of rage. "Who tipped them off?"

Naya took advantage of the chaos. She grabbed Elena's hand and gave the man a rib-splitting elbow. "Run!"

Bullets flew past them as they ran for the back door. Adrenaline fueled Naya's escape, causing her breath to come in rapid gasps.

The calm night air was a sharp difference to the stuffy warehouse as they broke into the corridor. However, their pause was temporary. Their way was blocked as a black Toyota screamed to a stop in front of them.

Marcus's worried expression appeared when the window rolled down. "Get in!"

They jumped inside the car without hesitation. They sped off as Marcus pressed the gas pedal, tires roaring.

"How did you know we are here?" Elena's voice hesitated as she asked.

Marcus confessed, "I planted a tracker on you," "Good thing I did."

Naya's thoughts were racing. She had not realized how deep they had gone. Their lives were in serious jeopardy because the syndicate was on them.

Marcus replied, "We need to lay low," as he looked in the rearview mirror. "At least until we figure out our next move."

Naya nodded, her will strengthening. They were too far gone to turn back now. At all costs, she would discover the truth about Project Blackthorn.

However, a persistent sensation pulled at Naya's thoughts as they drove into the night. And who had alerted the police? And why did they sense that someone was watching them?

She battled to find the answers, but she knew that the plan had changed and there was no time.

They took refuge in an old cabin tucked out in the woods as daylight broke. Although the calmness was disturbing, it gave them time to reinforce themselves.

Naya had her laptop open while she sat by the window. To uncover the puzzle's missing parts, she had to go deeper into Project Blackthorn.

Elena over her and touched her shoulder. Murmuring, "We'll get through this," she said.

Naya gave a fragile smile. "I hope so."

However, she had a terrifying epiphany when she dug into the encrypted files. Project Blackthorn was a government-approved initiative rather than merely a syndicated scheme. And that was only the tip of the iceberg.

As she discovered a list of names and senior officials connected to the project, her heart raced. Senator Wolfe was one of them.

"Elena, take a look at this," Naya said in a shaky whisper.

Elena looked over the list, her eyes widening. "This goes all the way to the top."

Naya's thoughts were racing. They met strong rivals who would do everything it took to keep their secrets protected

Suddenly, the cabin echoed with a loud bang. As they turned back, they saw armed men streaming in and the door splintering open.

"Down!" Marcus drew his sword and yelled.

The cabin filled with smoke and mayhem as gunfire broke out. Naya's heart was racing as she ducked under the table.

Elena took hold of her hand. "We need to get out of here!"

The gunshots whizzed overhead as they crawled and approached the back entrance.

As the invaders' might caused the cabin door to break, Naya's heart raced.

The house was filled with armed men in tactical gear, moving quickly and in accord. The sound of gunfire booms through the congested room, a loud sound.

"Down!" Marcus shouted, pulling out his rifle and firing back.

Amid the confusion, Naya and Elena fell to the ground and crawled toward the back entrance. Bullets flew through the air and lodged themselves in the wood walls.

"We need to move, now!" Elena's voice could hardly be heard over the gunfire as she pleaded.

With motivation pumping through her veins, Naya nodded. When Naya grabbed the handle of the rear door as they Landed, it was ejected from the outside, knocking her back.

Overhead, a masked attacker brandished a weapon. Naya's mind was racing, and time seemed to slow down. She immediately reached for a nearby chair and swung it as hard as she could, hitting the assailant and knocking him to the ground.

"Go!" Marcus shouted as a hail of gunshots hid their escape.

The entryway was now open, and Naya and Elena ran into the thick woodland that surrounded the lodge. They continued despite the chilly night air biting their skin, with the noises of pursuit following closely behind.

Naya muttered, "This way!" and guided Elena to a little deer trail she had previously spotted.

They veered through the trees, branches scratching at their faces and clothes. Their breath came in a tough breath, and every step was hastened by complete effort.

Behind them, the sounds of their invaders became more audible. Rays of light danced around the forest, casting ghostly shadows.

With a gasp, Elena glanced behind her. She asserted, "We can't outrun them forever,"

Naya's brain was working on a plan. "We need to create a diversion."

Naya swerved toward a fallen tree she saw ahead. She said, "Help me lift this,"

They hauled the hefty branch together, supporting it at an angle against another tree. Naya took a tiny gadget-a portable EMP generator-out of her pocket.

As she attached the device to the branch and set a timer, she continued, "This should temporarily disrupt their communications."

They continued to run in an attempt to distance themselves from the impending disturbance.

Suddenly there was a hushed thud among the trees, and then shouts in confusion. Naya's plan had worked; their attackers were briefly perplexed.

Elena cautioned, "That won't hold them for long,"

"I know," Naya said as she looked at them. "We need to find shelter."

They discovered an ancient hunting hut, its construction worn but intact, as daylight drew near. Securing the door behind them, they stepped inside warily.

Cobwebs and dusty furnishings within were signs of years of neglect. However, it offered a short-term haven.

Naya's body ached from the night's experience as she fell onto a shabby couch. Elena's thoughts were obviously racing as she paced the room.

Elena stated, "We can't keep running like this," with a tone that betrayed frustration.

Naya agreed and nodded. "We must launch an offensive. Find the culprit and bring them to justice.

Elena turned to Naya and stopped pacing.

"And how do you propose we do that?"

Determination hardened Naya's gaze. "Our mainframe is compromised. Locate the proof we require.

Elena's eyebrow went up. "That's a suicide mission."

"Maybe," said Naya. "But it's our best shot."

Naya's backpack began to beep softly before Elena could react. She pulled out a little tracking device, the same one Marcus had placed on them earlier, and frowned.

When Naya realized, "They've been tracking us," her stomach dropped.

Elena's gaze expanded. "We need to move, now."

However, just as they were about to depart, they heard cars approaching. They had been discovered by their pursuers.

Elena muttered, "There's no way out," as terror began to seep into her voice.

Naya's thoughts were racing, trying to think of a way out. However, the door of the cabin sprang open before she could take action, and armed men with guns trained on them poured in.

One of the men yelled, "Hands where we can see them!"

Elena and Naya obeyed, their hearts racing.

Naya wondered if this was the end of the line as they were escorted outside and detained.

But there was still a glimmer of resolve. Now she was too far gone to give up.

Naya saw the lead attacker talking into a radio as they were crammed into the back of a van.