Chapter 8 - The Betrayal Within
“Well, well, look what crawled out of the sewer drain. I always knew you were a survivor, Elena, but this is honestly getting ridiculous,” Agent Vance sneered coldly.
Elena froze in her tracks, her heart plummeting into her stomach as she realized the high-ranking federal official she thought was an ally had just switched sides.
“Agent Vance? You’re working for Thomas too? How deep does this rotten conspiracy actually go inside the justice department?” Elena asked, her voice shaking with bitter betrayal.
The agent lowered the gun slightly, flashing a cruel, arrogant grin that mirrored the wicked facial expressions of the entire Vance family syndicate.
“The entire department, Elena. From the local precinct all the way up to the federal judges who sign the warrants. Money talks, and your family has a very loud voice,” he mocked.
Lily began to cry softly again, her tiny frame shivering from the cold rain and the sheer terror of being hunted down by the very people supposed to protect them.
“Please, mister, don’t hurt my mommy. Take whatever you want, just let us go home,” Lily sobbed, holding her small pink purse out like a pathetic offering.
Agent Vance stepped closer, reaching out a gloved hand toward the pocket of Elena’s trench coat where the metallic black USB drive was safely hidden away.
“Hand over the drive, Elena, and I’ll make sure you and the kid get a clean, painless exit out of the city. Resist, and you’ll both float down this river,” he threatened.
Elena narrowed her eyes, feigning defeat as she slowly slipped her hand into her pocket, her fingers wrapping tightly around the cold casing of the electronic device.
“You think you’ve won, don’t you? You think buying off a few badges lets you rewrite the law however you want?” Elena asked, stalling for time as she heard sirens approaching.
“In this city? Absolutely. Now give me the drive before I lose my patience and drop you right here in the rain,” Agent Vance snapped, pressing the barrel forward.
Instead of handing over the USB drive, Elena suddenly hurled a handful of wet mud straight into the agent’s eyes, blinding him momentarily in a fit of rage and surprise.
“Run, Lily! Run toward the front steps of the courthouse right now!” Elena screamed at the top of her lungs, shoving her daughter forward toward the bright lights.
Agent Vance cursed loudly, wiping the thick mud from his eyes and firing a warning shot that chipped the old stone pillar inches above Elena’s head.
“Stop right there, or the next one goes through your spine!” the corrupt agent roared, raising his weapon again and charging blindly through the alleyway rain.
May you like
Elena sprinted after Lily, her boots slipping on the slick marble steps of the federal building just as the heavy oak front doors swung wide open to reveal armed guards.
---
