Every Exit Burns

The wind howled as Jessica’s feet slammed onto the rooftop of the adjacent industrial structure hard enough to rattle her teeth. The zipline swayed violently behind her as Olivia, Leanna, and Daniel landed in quick succession. Below them, Vanguard’s forces were spreading out, combing the complex for any trace of the intruders.

Jessica crouched behind a rusted ventilation unit, catching her breath. "That was way too close."

Leanna exhaled sharply. "We need to get out of here before they lock down the perimeter."

Olivia peered over the edge of the building. "There’s a drainage pipe on the south side. Leads straight to the train yard."

Daniel adjusted his gear, scanning their surroundings. "If we reach the train yard, we disappear like we were never here. Vanguard won’t risk exposing themselves in public."

Jessica nodded. "Then we move."

They crept across the rooftop, keeping low as the searchlights from below swept the area. As they reached the drainage pipe, a distant helicopter roar sent a shiver down Jessica’s spine.

"They’re bringing in air support," she muttered.

Leanna swung her legs over the side and slid down the pipe first. Jessica followed, heart pounding as she hit the ground in a crouch. Olivia and Daniel landed behind her.

The train yard was just ahead, a labyrinth of rusted cars and abandoned tracks. Olivia checked her wristpad. "Next freight train departs in six minutes. We need to be on it."

They sprinted across the gravel, ducking between cargo containers. As they neared the loading platform, headlights flared in the distance.

"Shit," Daniel whispered. "They’re here."

Jessica pressed against the cold steel of a shipping container, signaling for silence. Vanguard operatives fanned out along the yard’s perimeter, their weapons scanning the darkness.

A train horn blared in the distance, its massive engine groaning as it began to roll forward.

Jessica made a split-second decision. "Run."

They bolted from cover, feet pounding against the dirt. The train was picking up speed. Olivia lunged first, grabbing onto a ladder and hauling herself onto a freight car. Leanna followed, her fingers scraping for purchase as Daniel pushed her up.

Jessica’s muscles burned as she sprinted alongside the train. A gunshot cracked through the night. Sparks flew from the gravel as a bullet ricocheted nearby.

Daniel reached out. "Jessica, jump!"

With one last burst of speed, she leaped, Daniel hauled her onto the freight car just as another gunshot cracked through the night. He didn’t even flinch. They collapsed onto the metal surface, gasping for breath as the city lights faded into the distance.

"They won't fire on a civilian train unless they have no choice," he said, voice low, grim.

Jessica spat dust and adrenaline from her mouth. "Let's not give them a reason."

Leanna wiped sweat from her brow. "That was too damn close."

Jessica forced a tired smile. "We don’t get offices. We get exits."."

Olivia sat up, checking her wristpad. "We got what we came for—Project Veil’s files. But Vanguard won’t stop hunting us now."

Jessica exhaled, staring up at the night sky. "Then we make sure we hit them first."

The train rattled forward, carrying them toward the next battle, the next fight. Vanguard wasn’t finished.

And neither were they.