Smoke filled the air as I used my power to distract the enemy—just long enough for us to escape. In that final moment, I glanced back at the hiding spot where I'd left my computer. With a silent prayer, I pressed the trigger on the remote detonator. A sharp explosion tore through the silence. The computer shattered into flaming debris.
It had to be done.
Somehow, they were tracking us, and I knew—that machine was the reason.
We didn't stop until we reached the old warehouse, half-collapsing into the dusty shadows. But Jacob and Alex couldn't resist.
"HAHAHAHA, Lena—your face when the guns surrounded you," Jacob laughed, tears nearly in his eyes. "You looked like a cartoon character!"
Alex joined in, cackling.
Red-hot rage boiled in my chest. I lunged at them, fists clenched, but they dodged me like it was a game. I gave up after a while. We were exhausted—mentally, physically. So we lay down and drifted into a tense, shallow sleep.
But peace never lasts.
A sharp, shrill ring shattered the silence. Groggy, we grabbed the emergency phone. The voice on the other end was cold and urgent.
"The enemy is closing in on your location. All communications are being jammed. Get out. Now."
A single beep marked the end of the call.
We moved instantly. Gear packed. Guns checked. As we jumped into the vehicle, a cold dread crept in—too late.
A hulking figure emerged from the shadows, gun raised. Before I could shout, Jacob slammed the gas pedal down, and the shot missed us by inches. The chase began.
It felt like something out of a movie—sirens, screeching tires, bullets tearing through the air. No matter how fast we drove, they stayed on us. Just when it seemed we'd lost them, flashing lights appeared behind us—police.
The enemy slowed… and then stopped. Hands up.
We did the same, breathing hard.
For a moment, we believed it was over.
Until I looked down at the fuel gauge.
"Why… why is it empty?" I asked.
Alex popped out and checked the vehicle. "There's a hole. Someone sabotaged it."
We turned in unison—to the so-called "police." They were no better than the enemy. Guns raised. Faces blank.
"Tsk," I clicked my tongue. "We've been played."
Smoke exploded from our vehicle—Jacob's doing. Their bullets tore through the cloud, but by then, we were gone.
We darted into a back alley, breathing heavy. That's when we noticed it—Jacob stumbling, collapsing.
"Jacob?!" I dropped beside him. Blood spilled from his chest.
Alex's face went pale. "He's hit… in the heart."
I stared, helpless. He looked at me, lips trembling, breath ragged. Then, footsteps—again.
"They're coming," Alex whispered. "We have to move."
"No," Jacob croaked. "You two need to leave me."
My heart dropped. "We're not doing that," I said, grabbing his hand.
His eyes locked on mine, serious now. "Leave me."
Alex pulled at my arm, but I wouldn't budge.
Tears welled in my eyes. I couldn't speak.
"Can you smile for me… one last time?" he asked, voice breaking.
I remembered—I had smiled at him once. Three days ago. Just a little thing. And now… it was my curse. Katara's curse. My mouth moved before my heart did. A tear-streaked smile formed against my will.
And then… he was gone.
Alex yanked me back to reality, and we ran. We didn't look back. The Association found us hours later, pulling us from the wreckage of that night.
We were safe.
But nothing was the same.
The mission ended. We buried Jacob with full honors. Every high-ranking agent came. But none of it mattered to me.
After everyone left, I stayed behind, standing at his grave.
A single drop fell.
I tried to wipe it away, but another landed. And another.
It was the rain. No—it was me. I cried like a child, ugly sobs shaking my chest. I screamed until my throat was raw. Why didn't I use my powers sooner?
When I finally made it home, my father called me inside.
I locked the door to my room.
And I swore to myself—
I would never go on another mission again.