Story 338: Shadows of the Syndicate

Zara paced the safehouse, her nerves fraying with every step. Vera sat casually at a desk covered in maps, weapons, and encrypted data chips, her demeanor calm and self-assured. Callum rested on a makeshift cot, his face pale but his breathing steadier. The hidden safehouse felt secure, but Zara knew better than to relax. Safety was fleeting, especially with the Syndicate involved.

“You said you’ve been tracking them,” Zara began, her voice sharp. “If that’s true, what’s their next move?”

Vera glanced up from a monitor. “They’re closing in on the forest perimeter. Standard Syndicate tactics—tighten the noose and leave no room for escape. But I’ve been feeding them false leads for weeks. They think you’re heading west.”

“And you think that’ll hold them off?” Zara asked skeptically.