The clock didn't move slowly. It moved loudly.
Every second felt like a reminder.
Three hours.
That's all they had.
Noah didn't sit.
Didn't rest.
Didn't think about anything beyond one thing...Rhea is alive.
And that meant...She could still be saved.
"Same building…" he muttered under his breath, pacing the room.
The words echoed again and again.
Same.
Building.
Behind him,
Evan stood near the table, staring at nothing in particular. His mind wasn't still, it was racing. Fast. Chaotic. Every memory of Kai twisting into something darker now.
Every smile.
Every word.
Every moment.
A lie.
"We don't even know which building he's talking about," Evan said finally, his voice quieter than usual.
Noah stopped.
Slowly turned.
"We do."
Evan frowned. "What?"
Noah walked to the table, grabbed a marker, and pulled a file closer. His movements were sharp. Focused.
"It's the same building… where he kept you."
His voice slowed.
"And where he tried to ki..."
Before he could finish , Evan stepped forward instantly.
His hand pressed against Noah's mouth.
Stopping him.
Silence.
Their eyes met.
Close.
Too close.
Evan shook his head slightly.
Don't say it.
Noah's jaw tightened under his hand.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Because saying it out loud...
Would make it real again.
Evan slowly pulled his hand away.
"That's insane," Evan whispered, stepping back. "He's calling us to a place like that? Don't the police already have eyes there?"
Noah let out a sharp breath.
"That's Hunter for you," he said bitterly. "Right in front of us… and we still missed it."
His fist slammed against the wall.
A dull thud echoed.
"If only I knew earlier..."
The words hung unfinished.
Heavy.
Regret sinking deep.
Behind them,
Dr. Graham spoke, his voice calm but firm.
"You're walking into his territory."
Noah didn't look at him.
"I know."
"He's prepared."
"I know."
"He wants you there."
That made Noah pause.
Just for a second.
Then...
"I know."
Silence followed.
Evan ran a hand through his hair, frustration building.
"This is exactly why we need backup," he said. "Noah, think about it...he's setting a trap..."
"I don't care."
The words came out cold.
Final.
Evan stepped closer. "You should care. This isn't just about getting there...it's about getting out."
Noah looked at him.
And for a moment...
Everything softened.
Just slightly.
"I'm not risking her," he said quietly.
Evan exhaled slowly.
But didn't argue further.
Because he already knew...
This wasn't something Noah would walk away from.
Graham watched them both.
Silent.
Observing.
"If you're going," he said slowly, "then at least be smart about it."
Noah finally turned to him.
"Don't react emotionally when you see him," Graham continued. "That's what he wants. Control is your only advantage."
Noah held his gaze.
Something about those words…
Felt heavier than they should.
"I'll remember that," Noah said.
But whether he actually would...
That was a different question.
Two Hours Later
The city had quieted down.
Streetlights flickered on.
Shadows stretched longer.
Darker.
The car stopped a block away.
Noah turned off the engine.
Silence filled the space instantly.
"There it is," Evan said quietly.
Ahead of them...
The building stood.
Abandoned.
Half-lit by a flickering streetlamp.
Broken windows.
Rusting gates.
And a darkness inside that felt…
Waiting.
Noah stared at it.
Unblinking.
"Three hours," he muttered.
"He's expecting us."
Evan nodded.
"…Yeah."
Neither of them moved immediately.
Because stepping out...
Meant stepping in.
Noah finally opened the door.
The cold night air hit instantly.
Sharp.
Real.
Evan followed.
They stood there for a moment.
Side by side.
"No matter what happens," Evan said quietly, "we don't split."
Noah glanced at him.
Then nodded.
"Yeah."
And with that...
They walked forward.
The gate creaked as they pushed it open.
The sound echoed too loudly.
Too far.
Inside...
Darkness swallowed them whole.
And then...
A sound.
A scream.
Sharp.
Piercing.
Unmistakable.
"NOAH...!"
Rhea.
Rhea
Noah didn't think.
Didn't stop.
Didn't breathe.
He ran.
"RHEA!"