The Advantage

The darkness was absolute and for a split second, Selene's breath was the only thing she could hear—sharp, uneven, and waiting then, the world erupted into chaos. Gunfire crackled through the facility, the sharp sound bouncing off the walls like thunder trapped in a storm, somewhere nearby, men were shouting orders, their voices cutting through the heavy blackness like blades. The floor beneath her trembled as another explosion rumbled in the distance, shaking the very foundation of the building but Lucian didn't move, he stood as still as a statue, his figure barely outlined by the emergency lights flickering from the control panel, even in the chaos, he didn't panic and that terrified Selene more than anything because he was still in control. Selene's wrists ached as she struggled against the restraints, her breath ragged and she couldn't afford to waste time, this was her chance. Lucian's voice cut through the dark, smooth and controlled. 'Do you think this changes anything?"But Selene ignored him, twisting her hands harder against the cuffs, feeling the metal bite into her skin, if she could just… Lucian turned slightly, his head tilting toward the doorway. 'You're running out of time, Selene and so is your rescue." The words chilled her, the distant sound of gunfire wasn't fading, it was growing closer, and not all of it belonged to Caleb. Lucian didn't panic because he knew something she didn't. Selene gritted her teeth and then forced her breathing to slow, ignoring the sharp pain in her wrists as she adjusted the angle of her hand. The cuffs were tight and unyielding, but she could feel the smallest shift in a fraction of space. She twisted her wrist just enough to slip the tips of her fingers toward her sleeve, the metal edge of a hidden pin pressed against her palm, she had one shot at this. Lucian turned back to her, watching and waiting, his patience was unsettling as if he already knew she was going to fail, at this point, Selene's pulse was pounding and she had to move faster. The moment stretched too long and quiet then there was a sudden movement at the doorway. A guard, silhouetted against the flashing lights, raised his gun but before he could fire, a shadow moved behind him and the attack was silent, precise, and deadly. The man crumpled to the ground, and in the next instant, a familiar voice cut through the dark.'Took you long enough."Caleb and Selene's lungs clenched with relief. Lucian's head turned toward the door just as Caleb stepped into the room, his posture tense, his face streaked with dirt and blood, he held a stolen pistol in one hand and his injured arm tucked close to his side but his gaze was locked onto Selene. 'You good?" She gave a sharp nod, still working at the cuffs, she was almost there. Lucian exhaled, slow and measured. 'Brave but reckless." Caleb's eyes flickered toward him, but he didn't shoot and Selene knew why. Lucian wasn't just anyone so killing him wasn't as simple as pulling the trigger. Lucian tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. 'Did you really think I wouldn't be prepared for this?" The words sent a chill through Selene's veins but before she could react, the floor beneath them trembled again then, a deafening explosion tore through the hallway outside. The shockwave ripped through the walls, sending debris cascading from the ceiling, the force knocked Caleb backward, his body slamming into the doorway. Selene barely had time to register what was happening before the restraints snapped loose. The chair tipped over, and she hit the ground hard, pain exploded through her side, but she forced herself to move. Lucian was already in motion and through the haze of dust and crumbling stone, she saw him reaching inside his coat.Her body reacted before her mind could process then she lunged. Lucian turned just as she slammed into him, her momentum carrying them both toward the ground, his grip tightened around her wrist before she could reach for his weapon, he was too strong and fast. She barely managed to twist free before his elbow snapped toward her ribs, the pain flared through her side, but she didn't let go. Lucian's voice was eerily calm, even now. 'You never learn, do you?" Selene gritted her teeth. 'Neither do you." Then she yanked free just as Caleb surged forward. Lucian barely had time to turn before Caleb's fist collided with his jaw, the impact sent Lucian staggering, but not down but Selene didn't wait for him to recover, she grabbed Caleb's arm, pulling him toward the door. 'We need to go." The hallway was a warzone filled with fires raging along the walls, smoke billowing through the corridors and the air was thick with gunpowder and the scent of burning metal. Bodies of Lucian's men and their attackers alike littered the floor making Selene's stomach twisted, but she kept moving as they had to find Axel. 'Where is he?" she shouted over the chaos. Caleb's jaw was clenched as he scanned the wreckage. 'Medical wing is three floors down but the stairs are gone."Selene's pulse pounded as they were running out of time, Axel was running out of time. Just then a loud crack split the air and Selene barely had time to react before the ceiling above them groaned. Her eyes snapped upward and she saw a massive steel beam; unstable and hanging by a thread and immediately it snapped free. Caleb's hand shoved her forward. 'Run!" But Selene barely had time to move before the beam collapsed between them Selene coughed, struggling to see from the dust choking the air. The beam had split the corridor, Caleb was on the other side, trapped. His eyes met hers through the haze. 'Get to Axel." His voice was steady but final. Selene's stomach twisted. 'No. I can.." But before she could finish a fresh wave of gunfire erupted behind them, Lucian's men were closing in. Caleb lifted his gun, his expression unreadable.'Go." Selene's chest ached but she had no other choice than to turn and run and the last thing she heard before the smoke swallowed everything was the sound of gunfire.