The ground trembled beneath Maya's feet as she and Selene sprinted through the industrial district. Behind them, faint flashes of light pulsed from the factory, each one accompanied by a distant, bone-rattling hum. The Shardmind was awake now, and its presence was rippling through the city like a stone dropped into still water.
Maya's thoughts raced just as fast as her feet. She couldn't shake the image of the Shardmind's glowing eyes, its shifting form that seemed to defy logic. And then there was Selene, whose mysterious knowledge and calm under pressure hinted at secrets she hadn't yet shared.
"Where are we going?" Maya called, struggling to keep up with Selene's brisk pace.
"To a safehouse," Selene replied over her shoulder. "We'll regroup there, figure out our next move."
"And what's the next move?" Maya pressed. "Because it feels like everything's falling apart."
Selene slowed slightly, letting Maya catch up. Her expression was grim, her sharp features illuminated by the dim streetlights. "First, we find your brother. Then we figure out how to deal with the Shardmind before the Enforcers turn this city into a warzone."
Maya nodded, though a lump of anxiety formed in her throat. She had no idea where Kieran was—or if he was even safe. The last time she'd seen him, he'd been running from the Enforcers. If they'd caught him…
She pushed the thought aside. Kieran was smart, resourceful. He'd survive.
They turned a corner into a quieter street, the noise of the city fading slightly. Selene pulled out a sleek communicator from her pocket, tapping a few buttons. A holographic map projected into the air, showing the layout of the city.
"This is where we are," Selene said, pointing to a glowing dot near the edge of the industrial district. "The safehouse is here, about three blocks north."
Maya frowned, studying the map. "And Kieran?"
Selene hesitated, her gaze flickering to Maya. "If he's smart, he's either hiding or heading toward one of the underground access points. The Enforcers won't stop hunting him, not with the signal still active."
Maya's frustration boiled over. "You keep talking like you know everything. Who even are you? How do you know so much about the Shardmind and the Enforcers?"
Selene's jaw tightened, and for a moment, Maya thought she wasn't going to answer. But then Selene sighed, tucking the communicator away.
"I used to be one of them," she admitted quietly.
"One of who?"
"An Enforcer."
Maya's eyes widened. "You're joking."
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Selene snapped, her tone sharp. She took a breath, her voice softening. "I left years ago. Couldn't stomach what they were doing—what I was a part of. But I know how they operate, how they think. And that's why I'm still alive."
Maya stared at her, trying to reconcile this new piece of information with the woman who had just risked her life to help her. She didn't fully trust Selene, but if what she was saying was true, then she might be their best chance at survival.
Before Maya could respond, the faint hum of a patrol drone reached their ears. Selene grabbed her arm, pulling her into the shadows of a nearby alley.
"Stay still," Selene whispered.
The drone hovered overhead, its bright searchlight sweeping the street. Maya held her breath, her heart pounding as the beam passed just inches from their hiding spot. After a few tense moments, the drone moved on, disappearing into the night.
Selene released Maya's arm, nodding for her to follow.
They continued in silence until they reached the safehouse—a small, unassuming building tucked between two warehouses. Selene knocked on the door in a specific rhythm, and after a moment, it creaked open.
The inside was dimly lit, with maps, charts, and screens cluttering every surface. A few people milled about, their conversations halting as Selene and Maya entered.
"We need access to the city's surveillance feeds," Selene said without preamble, addressing a wiry man hunched over a console. "And any reports on recent Enforcer activity."
The man—who looked like he hadn't slept in days—nodded and began typing furiously.
Maya glanced around, feeling out of place among the tech-filled chaos. "What is this place?"
"A resistance cell," Selene replied. "One of the few left. They've been trying to expose the truth about the Enforcers and the Nexus for years."
Maya frowned. "And what about you? Are you part of this… resistance?"
Selene hesitated, then shook her head. "Not exactly. I work alone. But sometimes our goals align."
Before Maya could press further, the wiry man turned around, his expression grim.
"We found your brother," he said.
Maya's heart leapt. "Where is he?"
The man pointed to a screen displaying a grainy surveillance feed. It showed Kieran and a small group of people in what looked like a makeshift hideout. The timestamp indicated the footage was only minutes old.
"He's not far," the man said. "But there's a problem."
The camera feed shifted, showing a group of Enforcers closing in on the hideout. Their armor gleamed in the dim light, and they moved with chilling precision.
"They've found him," Selene said, her voice low.
Maya's stomach twisted. "We have to go. Now."
Selene nodded, grabbing a weapon from a nearby table. "Agreed. But we'll need to move fast. If the Enforcers get to him first…"
She didn't finish the sentence, but she didn't have to. Maya understood the stakes.
With her heart pounding, she followed Selene back into the night, determined to reach Kieran before it was too late.