Heather brushed her hands on her jeans as she stood before the farmhouse. The building was nothing like she had imagined. Its wooden exterior was splintered and weather-beaten, with shutters hanging crookedly from the windows. The paint, what little was left, had faded to an indistinct grey, peeling in uneven patches. Weeds surrounded the perimeter, pushing through cracks in the foundation, and the front porch sagged ominously, as though it might collapse under any weight. Nearby, an old, rusted mailbox hung precariously on its post, its door swinging in the breeze. The knocked-down sign at the entrance to the road had been her first clue that this place was a "no go."
She scoffed as she took in the desolation. Of all places in the world, Lily picks an abandoned farmhouse. Her lips curled in faint disdain. She couldn't have chosen something dramatic, like a yacht or a sleek city loft?
Heather adjusted the wire taped to her body and smoothed the microphone Marcus and his team had set up for her. The car carrying Marcus and his crew was parked discreetly a few miles away. They stayed there, ready to intervene if anything went awry. She surveyed the area cautiously before pushing the door open.
The inside was unexpectedly different. A metal detector, huge and imposing, stood just beyond the entrance. The size was starkly out of place against the dilapidated surroundings. A note taped to the machine caught her attention. Heather moved closer, her eyes darting around the room for any cameras or surveillance equipment. Nothing stood out, and she felt a small wave of relief.
Her gaze returned to the note. The handwriting was elegant. It read: Go in. If you are holding anything metal, it won't let you through.
Heather sighed, a knot tightening in her stomach. Her sigh was loud enough for the crew to hear. Sheng's voice crackled through her earpiece. "What's wrong?"
She hesitated before responding. "I can't proceed without removing the wire and everything."
Marcus's voice cut in. "You can't go in alone. It's too dangerous."
Heather's jaw tightened. He wasn't wrong, she didn't know what awaited her beyond that door. Lily had been clear: Come alone. This setup felt calculated. And she didn't know why, but she couldn't resist the urge to see what was behind the door. Perhaps, Alex?
Marcus called her again."Ma'am?"
Heather inhaled deeply. "If I don't come out in five minutes, come for me." She didn't wait for objections or arguments. She removed the wire, microphone, and earpiece in a single fluid motion.
"This is for Alex," she murmured to herself. Her fingers brushed against the door, and the metal detector scanned her. A green light blinked, and the door slid open.
The room beyond was eerily quiet. Heather stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim lighting. A single lamp illuminated a desk in the center of the room. The glow was confined, casting long shadows along the walls.
Heather approached the desk cautiously. A piece of paper lay facedown beneath the lamp. She reached for it, her pulse quickened as she flipped it over. In bold letters, it read: Don't panic, it will all be over soon.
"What the hell?" she muttered under her breath.
...
"What happens if you put an egg in a microwave?" Sheng leaned towards Wie Jian.
Wei Jian frowned, shrugging. "No idea."
Sheng turned to another crew member, Jin, grinning slightly. "What about you? Know anything?"
Jin laughed and shook his head. "Why are you even asking?"
"It's been five minutes." Marcus said, barely taking his eyes off his watch.
Wei Jian's face tensed. "She's not out yet."
Marcus stood abruptly. "We're going in."
...
Heather froze as she heard a faint sound, like a hiss, above her. Her eyes snapped to the vents along the walls. Gas began billowing out, curling into the room in ominous white clouds. Panic surged through her. She spun toward the metal detector door just as it began to slide shut.
"No!" she cried, sprinting toward it. But it was too late. The door sealed, trapping her inside.
...
Marcus moved swiftly with his team, gesturing silently for them to surround the farmhouse and secure the area. Their movements were precise, coordinated, their weapons drawn but held low as they scanned for threats.
...
Heather pulled her shirt over her nose in a desperate attempt to block out the toxic gas. But it wasn't enough. Dizziness overtook her almost immediately. No, she couldn't let herself get unconscious. She needs to find her baby. Alex needs her.
Heather staggered as she tried reaching for the door. Her vision blurred, but she knew where it was, could see it through the haze. Her body betrayed her, her legs weakened and she fell to her knees. Her trembling fingers brushed the door's edge. Even that small victory slipped away as she collapsed completely.
Heather laid flat on the floor as she fought to stay conscious. Her eyelids were heavy, her breaths shallow, and all she could think about was how she'd failed Alex.
"I'm... sorry... Baby..." The words escaped her lips in a fragile whisper.
The last thing she saw before darkness finally claimed her was the faint outline of the desk under the lamp. Then, silence.
...
Marcus kicked the farmhouse door open, his team close behind. His eyes caught sight of the wire and microphone discarded on the floor. Picking them up, he rushed to the metal detector door. The light blinked red, and an alarm blared. He dropped the metal objects and tried again. This time, the door opened, letting out wisps of residual gas.
He stepped inside cautiously, taking in the empty room. There was no sign of Heather or Lily. Or even a back door. The room was sealed. The only thing that stood out was the helipad embedded in the ceiling.