Chapter 7: No Way Out

The dim light from the cracked lamp overhead flickered as Evelyn and I sat in the back room of the bar, the weight of that flash drive between us. The world outside was still spinning like nothing had happened — people walking the streets, cars honking in the distance — but for us, everything had changed.

"Marrow Corp," I muttered, the name like poison in my mouth. "They don't play games. If they’re involved, we’re already on borrowed time."

Evelyn leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees, her fingers running through her hair as if trying to make sense of it all. "Blackwell knew something," she whispered. "Something dangerous enough for them to kill him. And now we’re carrying that secret."

The gravity of her words hung heavy in the room. I stared at the drive on the table, feeling the walls close in. If what she said was true — if Marrow Corp had their hands on a bio-weapon — then this wasn’t just about us anymore. It was bigger. Much bigger.

"We need to disappear for a while," Evelyn said finally, her voice calmer but still strained. "Go underground. Maybe find a way to leak this to the right people."

I shook my head. "You think anyone will believe us? People have been trying to expose Marrow for years. They all end up dead — or worse. We can’t just run. If we do, they’ll hunt us to the ends of the earth. And if we stay quiet, whatever they're planning will go through without a hitch."

She looked up at me, eyes sharp. "Then what? What’s your play, Damien?"

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling like the answer might be hidden in the cracks. "We hit back. Find out what they’re doing, who’s involved. Maybe make them bleed for once. But we need more than just that drive. We need proof that can’t be buried."

Evelyn gave a bitter laugh. "You make it sound so easy."

"It won’t be." I looked her in the eye. "But if we don’t try, nobody will."

Silence settled between us. The kind of silence where both people know the storm is coming — and there’s no way to stop it.

Then Evelyn’s phone vibrated, breaking the quiet. She pulled it out, frowning as she read the screen. Her face went pale.

"What is it?" I asked, sitting up straighter.

She hesitated, then turned the phone so I could see. A message. One line.

"We know where you are."

My blood ran cold. I was already on my feet, checking the pistol at my hip. "They’re here."

Evelyn stood too, shoving the flash drive into her pocket. "How did they find us so fast?"

"I don’t know. Maybe we were sloppy. Maybe Vince isn’t as loyal as I thought." I shot a look toward the door. "Either way, we need to move. Now."

Just as I said it, the sharp sound of a door creaking open echoed through the bar, followed by heavy footsteps. More than one set. I motioned for Evelyn to stay quiet as I moved to the door, peeking out just enough to see.

Two men, both dressed casually but walking with the kind of purpose you only see in trained killers. One of them scanned the bar, his hand resting near his side — where I’d bet good money there was a weapon hidden under his jacket.

Evelyn came up beside me, her voice low. "Friends of yours?"

"Not the friendly kind."

"Back door?"

I shook my head. "Blocked. They’ll have someone there. They’re here for us, Evelyn. No way out but through."

She exhaled slowly. "Alright. Then let’s make it count."

There was a fierceness in her eyes now. The fear was still there — but she was ready to fight. I admired that.

I reached into my jacket, pulling out a small flashbang. "We’ll hit them hard, fast. Get to the car. We’ll figure out the next move once we’re clear."

She nodded, pulling out her own weapon. "On your signal."

The men in the bar were getting closer to the back room. I could hear one of them muttering something, probably about how we wouldn't be much trouble. Wrong on their part.

I cracked the door just as one of them reached for the handle.

"Surprise," I whispered, tossing the flashbang right at his feet.

The room exploded in white light and sound, and even with my eyes closed, it felt like getting punched in the face by thunder. Evelyn and I burst out of the room before the noise had even faded, weapons up.

The first man went down before he even realized what was happening, and the second stumbled back, blinded. I didn’t hesitate — one shot, center mass. He crumpled.

But I knew there would be more. As we rushed toward the front, the door slammed open, and two more men came through, guns raised.

Evelyn was faster. She fired twice, dropping one, and I finished the second. People in the bar screamed, ducking under tables. I didn't blame them.

"Car’s out back," I said, pulling Evelyn along. "Move!"

We barreled through the kitchen, kicking open the back door — and ran straight into another gunman. He was ready for us. His gun came up — too fast.

But Evelyn was faster. She shot him in the leg before I even got my sights on him, and he dropped with a shout. She didn’t hesitate, following up with a second shot that made sure he wouldn’t get back up.

"Nice shot," I muttered, and she gave a grim smile. "Adrenaline’s a hell of a thing."

We ran for the car — an old, beat-up sedan I’d parked earlier. Not glamorous, but it would get us out of here.

As we jumped in, tires squealing as I tore out of the alley, Evelyn glanced at me, breathing hard. "Where to now?"

I glanced in the rearview mirror, watching as more men spilled out into the street behind us. "Someplace they won’t expect. We need time to figure out our next move. And we need allies."

"Allies?" she asked. "You think anyone's crazy enough to go up against Marrow?"

I smirked, even as I gunned the engine. "I know a few people who hate them almost as much as I do."

Her eyes stayed on mine for a moment, and something passed between us — an unspoken understanding. We were in this together now. Sink or swim.

And as the city lights blurred past us, I knew one thing for sure — there was no turning back.

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