The wind howled across the cliff.
Below them, the headlights of several vehicles cut through the darkness as they stopped at the base of the hill. Car doors slammed shut one after another, echoing across the rocky landscape.
Nader stared down at the road.
Dark figures were already moving.
"They're coming up," Kareem said quietly.
Jahan crossed her arms, her gaze sharp as she watched the shadows climbing the path.
"They're faster than I expected."
Nader turned toward his father.
"You said an organization was after you… who are they?"
His father's face was serious now, the calm expression replaced by something heavier.
"They call themselves The Circle."
Kareem let out a dry laugh.
"Nice name for a group of professional killers."
Nader frowned.
"What do they want with you?"
His father hesitated.
"Something I took from them."
Jahan shook her head slightly.
"You didn't just take it… you exposed it."
Nader looked between them.
"What are you talking about?"
His father's voice lowered.
"A document."
"A document?"
"The kind that can destroy powerful people."
Nader blinked.
"And that's why they tried to kill you?"
"Yes."
Nader ran a hand through his hair, trying to process everything happening at once.
"So instead of fighting them… you disappeared."
His father nodded.
"I had to."
"And now they're hunting you again."
"No," his father corrected.
"They're hunting us."
The First Movement
Kareem stepped closer to the edge of the cliff and looked down.
"They're splitting into groups."
Nader joined him.
Below them, at least eight men were climbing the hill from different directions.
Each one carried flashlights and dark bags slung over their shoulders.
"They're professionals," Kareem said.
"How can you tell?" Nader asked.
"They're not rushing."
Jahan nodded.
"They're surrounding the hill."
Nader looked back at his father.
"What's the plan?"
His father took a slow breath.
"We don't fight them here."
Kareem raised an eyebrow.
"You sure about that?"
"There are too many."
Jahan pointed toward a narrow path along the cliff.
"There's another route down the east side."
Nader followed her gaze.
The path looked dangerously steep.
"You expect us to climb down that?"
Jahan shrugged.
"Unless you want to stay here and introduce yourself to The Circle."
Nader sighed.
"Fine."
But before they could move—
A bright beam of light suddenly swept across the hilltop.
"Stop right there!"
A deep voice echoed through the night.
Everyone froze.
At the edge of the rocks below stood a tall man in a black coat.
Behind him, three others held flashlights aimed directly at them.
Kareem muttered under his breath.
"Well… that didn't take long."
The Leader
The tall man slowly climbed the last few steps toward the hilltop.
His movements were calm.
Confident.
Like someone who already knew he had the upper hand.
When he reached the top, the light revealed his face.
Sharp features.
Cold eyes.
He smiled slightly when he saw Nader's father.
"Well… this is nostalgic."
Nader's father's expression hardened.
"Still working for them, Viktor?"
The man chuckled.
"Of course."
Viktor's gaze shifted toward Nader.
"And this must be the son."
Nader felt the weight of that stare immediately.
"So you're the one who's been hiding behind stories and rumors."
Nader stepped forward slightly.
"And you're the one hunting my family."
Viktor smiled.
"Family is such a sentimental word."
Jahan moved closer to Nader's side.
"You shouldn't have come here tonight, Viktor."
Viktor tilted his head.
"Oh?"
"Because now you've made it personal."
Viktor laughed softly.
"Trust me… it was always personal."
The Truth Approaches
Viktor slowly reached into his coat.
Nader tensed.
But instead of a weapon, Viktor pulled out a small device.
He pressed a button.
A red light began blinking.
Kareem frowned.
"What is that?"
Viktor looked amused.
"Insurance."
Jahan's eyes widened slightly.
"A tracker…"
Viktor nodded.
"Exactly."
He looked back toward the hill below.
"You see… my team is already surrounding this place."
As if on cue, more lights appeared along the slopes.
At least a dozen now.
Nader's stomach tightened.
"We're trapped."
Viktor smiled wider.
"Finally someone understands the situation."
A Father's Choice
Nader's father stepped forward.
"Let them go."
Viktor raised an eyebrow.
"You think you can negotiate?"
"They have nothing to do with this."
"Wrong."
Viktor pointed at Nader.
"He's your son."
Then he pointed at Jahan.
"And she's been helping you."
Finally he nodded toward Kareem.
"And him… well, he made the mistake of standing with you tonight."
Viktor shrugged.
"That makes all of them involved."
Nader clenched his fists.
"So what now?"
Viktor looked at him calmly.
"Now…"
He snapped his fingers.
Metal clicks echoed around the hill.
Several of the men below raised rifles.
"…you all come with us."
The Unexpected Move
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Kareem sighed loudly.
"You know something, Viktor?"
"What?"
"You talk too much."
Viktor frowned.
Before he could react—
Kareem suddenly kicked a loose rock off the edge of the cliff.
The stone crashed loudly down the slope.
In that split second of distraction—
Jahan grabbed Nader's arm.
"Now!"
She pulled him toward the narrow path on the eastern side of the cliff.
His father followed immediately.
Gunshots exploded behind them.
Bullets struck the rocks as they ran.
"Move!" Kareem shouted, running beside them.
They reached the narrow path and began descending quickly.
The slope was steep and dangerous.
Loose stones slid under their feet.
But stopping meant death.
Behind them, Viktor's voice roared with anger.
"After them!"
Flashlights swept across the darkness as the hunters began chasing them down the hill.
Nader's heart pounded as he ran.
This night had changed everything.
Ten minutes ago he thought he was meeting his father.
Now—
They were all running for their lives.