The car didn't slow down.
Lena's heart was still racing as she looked back through the rear window.
The man was gone.
But the fear…
Wasn't.
"Relax," the driver said calmly.
Lena turned sharply.
"Who are you?!"
The man behind the wheel didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He kept his eyes on the road.
"You're safe," he said.
"That's not an answer!"
The car finally slowed.
Then stopped.
A quiet location.
Far from the city noise.
"Get out," he said.
Lena hesitated.
"I'm not going anywhere until you explain what's going on!"
Silence.
Then—
The driver sighed.
"You're more trouble than expected."
He stepped out of the car.
Lena quickly followed, keeping her distance.
"Start talking," she said firmly.
The man leaned against the car slightly.
"You read the notebook," he said.
It wasn't a question.
Lena's grip tightened around it.
"Yes."
A pause.
"Then you already know enough."
"No, I don't!" she snapped.
"I don't know who that man was… I don't know why he's after me… and I don't know where Daniel is!"
Silence.
The driver finally looked at her properly.
"You really don't know, do you…"
"Know what?"
A pause.
Then—
"He didn't leave to survive."
Lena froze.
"…What?"
The man's voice dropped slightly.
"He left because he was chosen."
Her heart skipped.
"Chosen… for what?"
The man didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He looked away.
"For something bigger than you should be involved in."
Lena shook her head.
"I don't care about that!" she said.
"I just want to see him!"
The man's expression hardened slightly.
"That's exactly why you're in danger."
Silence.
"But I saved you," he added.
Lena frowned.
"Why?"
A pause.
Then—
"Because Daniel told me to."
Her breath caught.
"…What?"
The man reached into his pocket.
And pulled out a small device.
He pressed a button.
A voice played.
Low.
Familiar.
Daniel's voice.
"If anything happens… protect her."
Lena's eyes widened.
"…Daniel…"
Her grip on the notebook tightened.
"He knew this would happen?" she whispered.
The man didn't answer.
Because he didn't need to.
Back at the facility…
The alarm had stopped.
But the tension remained.
Daniel stood in the hallway.
Blocking his path—
Two guards.
"You're not authorized to leave," one of them said.
Daniel's expression didn't change.
"Move."
"Return to your sector."
Silence.
Then—
Daniel stepped forward.
"I'm not asking."
The guards tensed.
"Stand down."
Daniel didn't stop.
And that's when—
They moved.
Fast.
But not fast enough.
Daniel reacted instantly.
One step—
One strike—
Clean.
Precise.
The first guard dropped.
The second lunged—
Daniel turned—
Redirected—
And slammed him against the wall.
Silence.
Both guards down.
Daniel stood still.
Breathing steady.
Behind him—
A slow clap echoed.
"Well done."
Daniel turned.
The woman stood there.
Watching him.
"You broke the first rule," she said.
A pause.
"No leaving without permission."
Daniel didn't respond.
"Why?" she asked.
Silence.
Then—
He spoke.
"…Something's wrong."
The woman studied him carefully.
"What makes you think that?"
A pause.
Daniel's eyes darkened slightly.
"I can feel it."
Silence.
Then—
For the first time—
The woman smiled.
Not amused.
Impressed.
"Interesting," she said quietly.
A pause.
"Then let's see how far that instinct takes you."
She stepped aside.
"Go."
Daniel didn't hesitate.
He moved.
Fast.
Because somewhere out there…
Lena was in danger.
And this time—
He wasn't going to walk away.
Do you think Daniel will reach Lena in time?