{ Mia }
~ at the warehouse ~
" Is the coast clear ? I repeat is the cost clear?"
Ace chuckled. "Yes. Cupcake, the coast is clear..."
I looked at him heasitating.
" I'll be right behind you cupcake." Ace muttered placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
I nodded feeling a new found determination coursing through my veins.
I looked around one last time just to make sure the coast was clear, then, I quickly jumped through the window hanging on a pipe just before I was about to hit the ground.
" Nice one cupcake..." Ace's voice echoed in my head.
I closed my eyes focusing my energy on my hands. Then, a golden web like substance appeared on my hand.
"It's sticky !" I whispered under my breath.
Slowly I pressed my palm flat against the ceiling. The golden web pulsed faintly, anchoring me in place like a second skin. With each movement, the threads extended silently, sticking without a sound.
I began to crawl, slow, deliberate, like a shadow slinking across the rafters.
Below me, voices murmured.
I reached the edge of the ventilation duct, peering down through a narrow grate.
A long table. Six people. Suits. Tactical gear. One had a tablet glowing with a satellite image, my street.
I barely breathed.
"Everything's set," one of them said. " We get the girl tonight!"
My fingers clenched the ceiling tighter. My heart thundered, but my limbs stayed steady.
They didn't know I was there.
They didn't know I was listening.
And they definitely didn't know I planned to get them first.
Suddenly, one of them stood up, pacing toward the wall beneath me.
I froze.
He tapped his earpiece. "Security sweep in five. Make sure the upper levels are clear. We're not taking chances."
My breath caught.
A guard in black tactical gear entered the room from a side door. He was heading toward the stairs, toward my level.
Scarlett's voice whispered in my ear, sharp and urgent. "Mia. You need to move. Now."
I scrambled backward, heart racing, but my hand slipped, just for a second. The golden web peeled off with a faint snap.
Heads turned.
"What was that?" someone asked.
I clung to the ceiling, holding my breath as the guard paused at the door. Silence stretched thin.
A distant crash echoed through the building, Ace's doing, no doubt.
"East wing!" one of the suits barked. "Check it out!"
The guards moved fast, weapons raised, storming out of the meeting room.
I exhaled slowly. Ace had bought me time. Again.
I crawled back toward the far grate, pulled it loose, and slipped inside.
Scarlett's voice buzzed back in my ear. "You good?"
"For now," I muttered, crawling through the vents. "But they're coming for me tonight. We need to get to them first."
~ back at home ~
I barged through the doors sprinting to my room.
" Mia were have you been ?!" My mom exclaimed loudly.
" I'm sorry mom I had an important school project..." I lied through my teeth.
" Okay, get ready for dinner then."
I nodded rushing to my room.
I sat on my computer tapping away when my closet door opened revealing my secret weapon stash.
I paced to my closet picking up all my weapons setting them on the table.
" Scarlett, please load all the weapons. Quickly!"
" Right away..."
I quickly rushed back to my computer tapping away when my desk opened revealing my stash of gadgets I've created over the years.
Mia's fingers flew over the keyboard, every keystroke calculating the next step. Scarlett's voice murmured in the background as I scanned my weapons stash, my mind racing through the possibilities.
"I need to make sure they can't get past me," I muttered, pacing the room.
I went to my closet again, pulling out wire traps, motion sensors, and old flashbangs. There was no time to waste. My heart raced as I began to set up.
First, I rigged the front door with a pressure-triggered wire attached to a small, but powerful explosive charge. Anyone who tried to force their way in would have a very rude awakening.
Next, the windows. I pulled out a set of tiny, compact motion detectors and positioned them along the perimeter. If anyone even came near, the alarm would go off, signaling me instantly.
Scarlett's voice chimed in again, "The backdoor, Mia. Don't forget the backdoor."
"Right," I muttered, rushing over to the sliding glass door. I set up a tripwire linked to a small speaker system I'd modified. The second it was triggered, it would play a loud, disorienting noise, enough to confuse anyone trying to sneak inside.
As I moved from room to room, my hands didn't falter. My pulse was steady, my focus locked in. If anyone came, they'd regret it.
Finally, I pulled out a few of my homemade gadgets, simple but effective: smoke bombs, an EMP grenade, and my latest invention, a stun grenade with a cloaking function.
" Also Scarlett don't forget the sleeping gas just in case my parents get alerted."
I couldn't afford to get caught off guard again.
"All set," Scarlett said, her voice a calm constant. "And Mia... don't forget your escape route."
I nodded, slipping my weapons belt around my waist. If tonight went as planned, I'd need every one of them.
I glanced around the room, making sure everything was in place. My heart beat faster as the adrenaline surged through my veins. I double-checked the perimeter of the house, my mind racing over every possibility. If they came tonight, they wouldn't stand a chance.
I moved to the window, peering out through the blinds, scanning the street for any signs of movement. The moonlight cast long shadows across the yard, the night holding a deceptive calm.
"Scarlett, are the surveillance systems active?" I asked quietly, my fingers still brushing over my stash of gadgets.
"All systems online," Scarlett replied, her voice steady. "We're fully covered."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. There was no turning back now. They were coming for me, but I wouldn't be caught off guard again.
I grabbed the small communication device from the table and slipped it into my pocket, the sleek black design blending perfectly with the rest of my gear. If they showed up, I needed to stay one step ahead, always in control.
"Scarlett, keep an eye on the cameras. Let me know if anything changes."
"Understood."
I moved to the hallway, my footsteps light, deliberate. I'd memorized every inch of this house, every exit, every hiding spot. As I passed the kitchen, I picked up a small knife, tucking it into the waistband of my pants. There was no telling what kind of people would come for me, but I wasn't going down without a fight.
My hand brushed the concealed door leading to the basement, my final escape route if everything went south. The trap door would be the last line of defense. But if I had my way, it wouldn't come to that.
I turned back to my desk, checking the time. It was almost midnight. I should've felt more nervous, but all I felt was calm. A strange, almost comforting stillness washed over me. I was ready. I'd been preparing for this moment my whole life.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. A low hum filled the air, barely noticeable at first, but unmistakable. Someone was in the vicinity.
"Scarlett," I whispered. "Check the east side of the house."
There was a long pause before Scarlett responded. "Two figures approaching. You're not alone."
I didn't need to hear any more. I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. My eyes flicked to the corner of my room where a small camera feed blinked to life, showing a grainy image of the two figures moving toward the house. The operation had begun.
I quickly moved to the back of the house, crouching by the sliding glass door. The motion detectors were primed, ready to trigger.
Scarlett's voice crackled through the comms. "They've reached the front. Get ready, Mia."
My pulse quickened, but I kept my breathing even. I could hear the faint sound of footsteps on the gravel driveway, and then the sharp creak of the front door opening.
It was happening. This was it.
I exhaled slowly and stepped into position, silently waiting for the intruders to make their move.