Ethan didn't sleep.
Didn't rest.
Didn't hesitate.
The moment he made his decision—
Everything changed.
The underground room was dimly lit.
Maps spread across the table.
Screens glowing faintly.
The girl stood across from him, arms crossed.
"You're serious about this," she said.
"Yes."
"You're going to break into one of their facilities…"
"Yes."
"…alone?"
Ethan didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
She sighed.
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
Silence.
Then—
"But I'm not wrong."
She studied him carefully.
"You really think you can take them on?"
"No."
That answer surprised her.
"Then what's your plan?"
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"I don't need to take all of them."
He leaned slightly over the table.
"I just need to get to her."
The girl exhaled slowly.
"You haven't changed," she said.
"I have."
She raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
Ethan looked at her.
Cold.
Focused.
"I don't hesitate anymore."
That statement lingered.
Heavy.
Because she knew what it meant.
No hesitation meant—
No mercy.
"Alright," she said finally. "I'll help you."
Ethan didn't thank her.
Didn't react.
He just waited.
"Here's what I know," she continued, pointing at the map.
"They move people between facilities."
Ethan's eyes sharpened.
"She's not staying in one place?"
"No."
His jaw tightened.
"Then we find the next transfer."
She tapped a location.
"Here."
Ethan looked at it.
Memorized it.
Locked it in his mind.
"Ethan," she said suddenly.
He paused.
"If you do this…"
Her voice softened slightly.
"…you won't be the same person after."
He didn't hesitate.
"I'm already not."
Meanwhile—
Inside the facility—
Maya stood in front of a mirror.
But she didn't recognize the girl staring back.
Her eyes were different.
Stronger.
Colder.
More aware.
A guard stepped in.
"Time."
She turned.
Calm.
Controlled.
"Another test?" she asked.
"Yes."
She nodded.
"Fine."
As she walked out—
Her fingers brushed lightly against the wall.
And suddenly—
A vision flashed.
Quick.
Sharp.
A memory.
A route.
A weakness.
Maya stopped.
Her heart skipped.
That wasn't random.
That was…
Useful.
Slowly—
A realization formed.
If she could control what she saw…
If she could choose what to focus on…
If she could use it—
Then maybe—
Just maybe—
She wasn't as trapped as they thought.
Back outside—
Ethan loaded his weapon silently.
His movements precise.
Controlled.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
His eyes darkened.
"They took the wrong person," he said quietly.
And far away—
Maya whispered something almost identical.
"They chose the wrong girl."