Annie pressed her back against the door, listening intently. The hushed murmur of voices filtered through the walls, echoing in the confined space. Her heart racing, she glanced around the dim storage room: metal shelves lined with boxes filled the narrow space, and she quickly scanned for anything useful.


    A faint thud came from outside. Footsteps approached, punctuated by the clinking of keys. Annie''s breath caught in her throat; she had to find a way out before they discovered her hiding spot.


    "Where''d she go?" one of the guards barked.


    "She can''t have gotten far," another replied, frustration lacing his tone. "Check every room!"


    Annie''s eyes came back to the shelves. A big box there was labeled "Medical Supplies." It loomed like a treasure chest—if only it contained something that could help her escape. With no time to waste, she nudged it open, praying for a miracle.


    Inside, bandages and syringes were contained. Annie leaned in and stuffed a handful of gauze into her pocket, her gaze locking onto the glint from something in the corner—a small, bright blue-filled vial. Her fingers wavered just above it, sensing its potential.


    The footsteps came louder now, heavy steps to accompany urgent voices raised as frustrated yelling of her name.


    "Come on!" The voice of Eli came from a short distance away.


    "Which way did she go?" another guard yelled out.


    Annie''s heart picked up as she heard the thought of Eli searching around for her among all the confusion. She took the vial and jammed it into her pocket just as the door shook slightly as somebody tried to push it open.


    In one swift motion, she looked to a high window on one wall; it was her only way out. It was small, not impossible. She climbed onto a stack of boxes; each shift creaked under her weight as she hoisted herself up toward the window ledge.


    The voices went momentarily away, only to recongregate outside, as if confused about what had just happened. That was the opportunity Annie needed as she squeezed out into the opening and tumbled to an awning below, falling awkwardly enough but safely without letting out a cry of pain.


    She glanced around quickly; above her, dark clouds joined in the action, with rain falling lightly to help clothe her getaway.


    Eli was standing nearby near an alley entrance, eyes wide with relief, when he spotted her on the ledge.


    "There you are!" he shouted softly but urgently, gesturing for her to join him before anyone noticed their presence.


    "Let''s go," Annie whispered back, already sprinting toward him before anyone could catch up with them. The rain fell harder now, masking their footsteps as they slipped deeper into shadows away from danger.


    Annie pounded down the alley, her heart in her chest, until she pressed on, casting a backward glance over her shoulder. Rain blurred everything around her, yet she kept Eli in her line of vision. His familiar silhouette felt like a lifeline in the chaotic city.


    "Where to now?" he asked, breathless as they skidded to a halt at a junction. Neon lights flickered from a nearby street, casting a cold glow across their faces.


    "Somewhere safe," Annie replied, scanning their surroundings. "We need to figure out what''s in that vial."This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Eli nodded, his brow furrowed with concern. "We should find a place to lay low until we know what we''re dealing with."


    A few blocks away, they came upon a small café nestling between giant skyscrapers. The lights were dim, like an oasis in a storm. They ran inside, shaking raindrops off, and slid into a booth in the back.


    As they settled into the cramped space, Annie pulled out the vial and set it between them on the table. The liquid shimmered under the fluorescent lights.


    What do you think it is?" Eli leaned in, curiosity mingling with apprehension.


    "Could be anything," Annie murmured, her fingers brushing against the cool glass. "But I felt drawn to it."


    Eli frowned and glanced around the café. A few patrons lounged over their holographic menus while others tapped away at sleek devices. The atmosphere buzzed with muted conversations, but none seemed to pay them any mind.


    Annie uncorked the vial cautiously and took in its odor—a sharp tang, citrusy with something metallic thrown in.


    "Should we test it?" The slight shake in his voice did not quite go unnoticed.


    "Test it? You want me to drink it?" Annie''s eyes rose.


    "Not drink it! Just… see if there''s a reaction," he corrected, eyes darting back to make sure no one was overhearing them.


    Annie thought for a moment, then picked up a spoon left on the table. She dipped it into the vial and let a drop fall onto an empty napkin.


    At first, nothing happened. Slowly, she let her breath escape as relief washed over her features. Then—a faint blue glow pulsed from where the liquid pooled on the napkin. It grew brighter, casting an otherworldly light upon their faces.


    What''s going on?" Eli leaned back in his seat, crackling tension building between them as they watched intently.


    The glow intensified for several heartbeats until it was no more. Its aftermath was an uneasy silence in the café, with people seemingly holding their collective breath in sync with them.


    "I don''t think we should hang around," Annie said abruptly, and her voice told of the adrenaline racing through her veins anew.


    Annie''s eyes scoured the café for anyone who might have seen the glow. The air seemed to vibrate with tension, like static electricity, raising the hairs on her skin.


    Eli leaned in closer, his voice low. "What do you think it means? Should we try to use it somehow?"


    "Use it?" Annie repeated, a growing trace of incredulity in her voice. "What if it''s dangerous? We don''t know anything about it."


    Eli looked down at the napkin, still shimmering softly under the fluorescent lights. "But what if it could help Robert? If this is some sort of serum or cure."


    Annie rubbed her temples. Frustration bubbled just beneath her surface as they had chased a flicker of hope through time itself, and now another unknown faced them.


    It swung open to the jingle of a bell, and a cold gust of air swept through the café, chilling their resolutions at once. Two suited men came in; their eyes went around the place, coldly determined. Annie felt her stomach turn a somersault the moment she noticed one of them was from the hospital—the guard.


    "Down!" Eli whispered instinctively, tugging Annie behind their booth.


    She crouched low, heart pounding in her chest as they peered over the edge of the table. The men strolled toward the counter, casually chatting with the barista while keeping their backs to Annie and Eli.


    "What do we do?" Eli whispered urgently.


    Annie pressed her lips together, thinking fast. "We need to get out of here before they spot us." She nodded toward a side exit that led to an alley behind the café.


    "On three," Eli whispered, his fingers trembling a little against the edge of the table.


    They counted under their breath and then sprang up from their hiding spot. Annie moved swiftly for the door, adrenaline fueling her legs as she darted past tables full of unsuspecting patrons.


    The air felt electric as they burst outside into the rain-soaked alleyway. Annie barely paused to breathe before tugging Eli along toward a narrow passageway that snaked between two buildings.


    "What now?" Eli asked breathlessly as they rounded a corner.


    Annie came to a dead stop as, above them, a neon sign flickered on—a "Help Wanted" sign backlighting an entrance into some kind of backroom bar. A place of anonymity.


    "We can easily blend in there," she said, her eyes fixed on the entrance. The sounds of music and laughter wafted through the door like a siren''s song against their chaotic reality.


    "Okay," Eli said, turning half around with a nervous glance backwards, nodding toward her lead.


    They stepped inside and were enveloped by warmth and noise-conversations like water, flowing around dimly lit tables full of patrons lost in their own worlds.


    Annie looked for an empty booth while trying to shake off the dread and exhilaration at having gotten away from their pursuers—if only for now.