2. Aria

2

ARIA

I sprint through the maze of industrial corridors, my lungs burning with each ragged breath. The metallic tang of rust and oil fills my nostrils as I dart around another corner, my shoes squeaking on the grimy concrete floor.

"She went this way!" A gruff voice echoes off the walls behind me.

Shit. They're getting closer.

I push myself harder, my legs screaming in protest. The dim emergency lights cast eerie shadows, transforming innocuous pipes and machinery into monstrous shapes. My heart hammers against my ribs, threatening to burst from my chest.

A door looms ahead. I grab the handle, twisting desperately. Locked.

"Dammit!" I hiss, spinning around.

The footsteps grow louder, accompanied by harsh breathing and the crackle of radios. I scan the corridor, searching for an escape route. My eyes land on a narrow gap between two massive storage tanks.

Without hesitation, I squeeze through the opening, scraping my arms on rough metal edges. The space is tight, barely wide enough for my body. I hold my breath, pressing myself against the cold surface of one tank.

The pursuers' voices grow clearer.

"Where'd she go?"

"Check those doors. She couldn't have gotten far."

I clamp a hand over my mouth, muffling my panicked gasps. Sweat trickles down my spine, my shirt clinging uncomfortably to my skin. The acrid smell of chemicals burns my nostrils, making my eyes water.

A beam of light sweeps across the floor, inches from my hiding spot. I press myself further into the shadows, praying they don't notice the gap.

"Nothing here. Let's try the next section."

The footsteps recede, but I don't dare move. My muscles quiver with tension, screaming for release. I count to sixty, then slowly, carefully, begin to edge out of my cramped sanctuary.

I lean against the cold metal of the storage tank, my heart still racing. As my breath steadies, memories of the past few weeks flood back, piecing together how I ended up in this mess.

It started with a tip from an anonymous source. A whisper about Nexus Corp's secret lab, buried deep beneath their shiny corporate headquarters. At first, I thought it was just another dead end, but something about this lead felt different.

I dig into my jacket pocket, fishing out the crumpled napkin with hastily scrawled coordinates. The coffee stain hasn't obscured the numbers, thank god. I'd spent days staking out those coordinates, watching employees come and go at odd hours.

My mind drifts to the night I finally got my break. I'd sweet-talked my way past security, posing as a new lab tech working the graveyard shift. The guard barely glanced at my forged ID before waving me through.

Once inside, I'd slipped into an empty office and hacked into their system. Years of investigative work had honed my skills, and within minutes, I was in.

What I found I knew would be worth a story. Files upon files of environmental violations. My fingers fly to my throat, feeling for the small data chip hidden in my necklace. All the evidence is there, ready to blow this whole thing wide open. If I can just get out of here...

A distant shout snaps me back to the present. They're still searching, getting closer. I need to move.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. There's a service elevator at the end of this corridor. If I can reach it, I might have a chance.

Slipping out from behind the tanks, I creep forward, every sense on high alert. The weight of my discovery presses down on me. I'm not just running for my life now; I'm running to expose a truth that could change everything.

I freeze as a shout pierces the air.

"There she is!"

Adrenaline surges through my veins. I bolt down the corridor, my feet pounding against the concrete. The service elevator's just ahead, but I'll never make it before they catch up.

Think, Aria, think!

My eyes dart around, searching for anything I can use. A fire extinguisher catches my attention. I snatch it off the wall, spinning to face my pursuers. The nozzle hisses as I spray a thick cloud of white powder, obscuring their vision.

"Can't see shit!"

"Don't let her get away!"

I drop the extinguisher and dash toward a nearby junction. Left or right? My instincts scream left, but I know better. Always go against the grain.

I veer right, my shoes squealing on the slick floor. The corridor stretches before me, lined with unmarked doors. I need to buy time, create confusion.

A memory flashes – an old interview technique. Misdirection.

I grab the handle of the nearest door, yanking it open. The hinges screech, echoing down the hall. I slam it shut without entering, then sprint to the next door. Open, slam. Open, slam. A cacophony of banging doors fills the air.

"Check every room!"

Perfect. Let them waste time searching empty spaces.

I race on, my lungs burning. A stack of empty barrels looms ahead. With a grunt, I shove them over. They clatter across the floor, blocking the path behind me.

The pursuit slows, but doesn't stop. I need more.

A maintenance cart sits abandoned nearby. I grab it, wheeling it furiously down the hall. My eyes lock onto a T-junction ahead. As I reach it, I give the cart a hard shove to the left, sending it careening down the corridor.

I dart right, pressing myself against the wall. Heavy footsteps approach. I hold my breath, praying my gambit pays off.

"The cart! She went that way!"

The footsteps recede, following the false trail. I allow myself a small smile. Years of chasing leads and dodging corporate security are finally paying off.

But I can't relax yet. I push off from the wall, my legs protesting as I force them into a run once more. The service elevator can't be far now.

As I round another corner, my heart leaps. There it is – the battered metal doors of my escape route. I slam my palm against the call button, willing it to arrive faster.

"Come on, come on," I mutter, glancing over my shoulder.

The elevator dings. I practically dive inside, jabbing at the ground floor button. As the doors start to close, I hear shouts in the distance.

"There! By the elevator!"

My pursuers round the corner, their faces contorted with rage. But it's too late. The doors slide shut, and I feel the lurch of ascent.

I slump against the elevator wall, my heart pounding in my ears. The gentle hum of machinery feels surreal after the chaos below.

The elevator dings, doors sliding open to reveal the quiet lobby. It's late, only a lone security guard at the desk. I straighten my rumpled clothes, forcing a calm expression as I stride past him.

"Long night?" he asks, eyebrow raised.

I manage a weak smile. "You have no idea."

The cool night air hits me as I exit the building, a stark contrast to the stifling heat of the industrial complex below. I resist the urge to run, instead adopting a brisk walk. Can't draw attention now.

I turn a corner, ducking into a narrow alley. Only then do I let myself breathe, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away. My legs shake, threatening to give out. I lean against the rough brick wall, closing my eyes for a moment.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

The gravity of the situation crashes over me. I've seen things I was never meant to see, uncovered secrets that powerful people would kill to keep buried. And now they know who I am.

I'm no longer just a journalist chasing a story. I'm a target.