#23: Fragments of Hope

The sound of alarms still echoed in the distance as Lara and Dante walked through the dimly lit hallways of the building. The remnants of the explosion made the air thick and dusty, but they continued forward, side by side, as if the world around them was incapable of separating them now.

“What’s the plan now, genius?” Lara asked, quickening her pace to keep up with Dante, who seemed to know exactly where to go.

“We need to find a way out before they block everything off,” he replied, holding her wrist for a moment and indicating an emergency staircase. “This way.”

Lara took the stairs two at a time, feeling her adrenaline begin to give way to fatigue. The wound in her side throbbed, but she knew she couldn’t stop. Not now.

“Dante, what if they’re already waiting for us outside?” she asked, breaking the tense silence as they continued up.

“Then let’s improvise.” — He replied, his tone almost casual. — It wouldn’t be the first time, would it?

She smiled, though it wasn’t exactly comforting.

The Unexpected Encounter

When they reached the top of the building, the sight of the open sky greeted them with a mixture of relief and dread. Helicopters flew overhead, and lights flashed in the distance, indicating that the corporation’s security was approaching.

“Is this what you call improve?” Lara grumbled, looking at the scene.

Dante pulled something out of his pocket: a small, compact device.

“Trust me.”

She arched an eyebrow.

“I do, but you need to stop giving me reasons to question this choice.”

He chuckled, adjusting the device as he looked around.

“See that building over there?” He pointed to a lower structure a few hundred meters away.

Lara looked at him in disbelief.

“You’re crazy if you think we’ll make it there.”

“We won’t.” He responded, activating the device, which began to emit a constant high-pitched sound. “But this will give us enough time.”

Suddenly, drones began to appear, dodging the helicopters and flying over the area at high speed. Lara watched in surprise as chaos took over the airspace.

“You… hacked the drones?” She asked, impressed.

“Let’s just say I gave them a tip to change their course.” He replied with a smile.

Calculated risk

The distraction worked, but time was short. Dante grabbed Lara’s hand again, pulling her towards a cable connecting the building they were in to the other side.

“I can’t believe I’m going to do this.” She muttered, attaching the makeshift safety equipment he had prepared.

“If it’s any consolation, I can’t believe it either,” he replied, laughing as he attached his own equipment.

They slid down the cable, the wind cutting their faces as the ground seemed to approach too quickly. Lara felt her heart in her throat, but she didn’t dare scream. When they finally reached the other side, she fell to her knees, gasping for breath.

“That was… insane,” she said, trying to catch her breath.

“Are you okay?” Dante asked, kneeling beside her.

“I’ll stay,” she replied, struggling to her feet.

The Final Confession

Before they could move again, a deep voice echoed around them.

“Do you think you can escape that easily?”

They both turned, their eyes meeting the imposing figure of a police officer, armed and clearly determined not to let them leave.

“You made a big mistake messing with us,” he said, pointing his gun at Dante.

Lara looked at Dante, who seemed ready to react, but before he could do anything, she took a step forward.

“Wait!” she shouted, raising her hands. “You don’t have to do this.”

The man hesitated, confused by her sudden submission.

Dante frowned.

“Lara, what are you doing?”

She looked at him, her eyes filled with a determination he had never seen before.

“Trust me, okay?”

Before he could protest, Lara stepped forward, facing the officer.

“Do you want to know where the data for Project Aurora is?” she asked, her voice firm. “Then let him go.”

The tension was almost unbearable, but Dante finally understood what she was doing. He didn’t know whether to hate her for it or admire her even more.