Chapter 4: Explosion

Evan’s hands were still trembling as he shut off the tablet, but his resolve was unshaken. The cold detachment of EVE’s words echoed in his mind. They were on her radar now.

Evan stood with a sigh, pausing to think for a few seconds before leaving his room and heading toward the kitchen. He went straight to the fridge, pulling out a carton of orange juice. A quick swig straight from the bottle was his form of self-care. He paced the room as he drank, his eyes darting to the details of his cramped yet meticulously organized kitchen.

Stopping in front of a framed painting—a serene landscape of distant mountains and a winding river—he smirked. “So much for peaceful scenery.”

With a practiced motion, he lifted the painting, revealing the dull brown wall behind it. His fingers searched for the faint groove, and after a bit of effort, he pried open a hidden panel. Inside, a key holder gleamed under the dim light.

Sliding the key from his pocket, he twisted it into place, revealing a compartment filled with cash and weapons. The sight was oddly comforting.

“Seriously,” he chuckled, pulling out a small pistol and a roll of bills. “Might’ve just set a record for fastest Nexus defection.”

Finishing his orange juice with an exaggerated gulp, he let the empty glass slip from his hand. The sound of shattering glass on the floor was oddly satisfying. “Whoops,” he said dryly, stepping over the shards.

He moved to the fridge, gripping its edges. With a grunt, he pushed it aside, revealing a patch of mismatched tiles beneath. Pulling a hammer from under the sink, he swung it down. Each strike chipped away at the tiles, revealing a concealed hatch below.

Evan stepped back, inspecting his work. “Good thing I spent all that time making this,” he said, half-proud, half-amused. He chuckled softly to himself, the sound echoing in the now-quiet room.

But the silence didn’t last.

A faint hum, growing louder. Then the distinct whirrrrr of drones closing in. Moments later, red and blue lights painted the walls as sirens blared outside.

Evan froze, his smirk fading. “Well, that was quick.”

Through the narrow blinds, he caught glimpses of black armored vehicles surrounding the building. Drones hovered menacingly, their searchlights scanning the exterior.

He shook his head. “Drones, I get. But how are these guys so fast only when it’s inconvenient for me?” He snorted. “Whatever. Hope they enjoy my little surprise.”

He descended the hatch, pulling the door shut behind him.

The commander stepped out of the lead vehicle, his polished boots crunching against the gravel. His soldiers fanned out, weapons drawn, as they surrounded the house.

“Send in the drones,” he barked, his tone clipped and efficient.

Five sleek drones zipped forward, entering through open windows and doors. Officers monitored their feeds from handheld screens, scanning every corner of Evan’s apartment.

It didn’t take long for the drones to discover the exposed tunnel in the kitchen.

“Commander, he’s gone underground,” reported one officer.

The commander clenched his jaw. “Of course he did,” he muttered. “Move in! Secure the area and follow him. This one’s on the very dangerous list.”

The team entered the house with synchronized precision, their boots thudding against the floor. The kitchen was cleared in seconds.

“Commander, main level secure,” came a crisp report.

“Good. Proceed down the tunnel. No mistakes,” the commander replied through the comms.

Evan jogged through the dimly lit tunnel, the weight of his bag pulling at his shoulder. The red emergency light running along the walls cast eerie shadows, making the narrow space feel even more claustrophobic.

When he reached the red line painted across the floor, he skidded to a stop.

“Right on schedule,” he muttered, pulling a small, square device from his bag. Its oversized red button gleamed ominously under the light.

He glanced back, his sharp ears catching the faint sound of boots entering the tunnel.

“Hope you guys brought an iron umbrella,” he quipped, a dark grin spreading across his face. His thumb hovered over the button. “As they say, death is a great equalizer.”

With a flick of his thumb, he pressed it.

The explosion was deafening, a thunderous roar that reverberated through the ground. Above, the house disintegrated in a fiery blast, sending debris flying in all directions.

Inside the tunnel, the shockwave ripped through the narrow passage, causing the walls to crumble. Dust and smoke filled the air as chunks of concrete crashed down.

Screams echoed from the officers trapped inside as the tunnel collapsed behind them, cutting off any chance of escape.

Outside, the commander stared in stunned silence, watching the house crumble into a pile of smoldering rubble.

“Sir…” one of his subordinates stammered.

The commander didn’t respond, his face a mask of disbelief and fury.

Farther down the tunnel, Evan paused, leaning against the wall to catch his breath. He felt the vibrations of the explosion and allowed himself a small, grim smile.

“Guess that’s one way to send a message,” he muttered, adjusting his bag and heading deeper into the labyrinth.