Chapter Twenty-five

As Lola and Lily vanished into the depths of the Comic-Con, the clones tasked with keeping an eye on Lola were left perplexed.

They scanned their surroundings, their expressions filled with disbelief, as they realized they had lost track of her.

Clone 1, the leader of the group, furrowed his brow in confusion. "Where did she go? I can't see her anywhere! Has anyone spotted Lola?"

Clone 2, stationed at a different vantage point, shook his head. "No sign of her here either. It's like she vanished into thin air. How is that possible?"

Clone 3, who had been monitoring another section of the convention centre, spoke up with growing concern. "I've searched every possible exit, but there's no trace of Lola. She's completely gone."

Worry and frustration crept into Clone 1's voice as he relayed the disheartening news to the real Jayden. "Jayden, we've lost visual of Lola. We don't know where she went. It's as if she disappeared without a trace."

Jayden's face turned grim as he listened to the report, a sense of urgency took hold.

"Oh, por el amor de Dios, es lo que más necesito. Tenías un maldito trabajo..."(Oh for fucks sake, just the thing I needed to hear most. You had one fucking job...)

' No now isent the time to curse the Clones which are basically me, so I'm only cursing myself.'

"This can't be happening...but it is," he muttered to himself, his mind racing to understand the situation. "We need to find her. Keep searching! Leave no stone unturned."

Clone 2's voice crackled with anxiety. "But Jayden, we've scoured the area. There's no sign of Lola or any clues to her whereabouts."

Jayden clenched his fists, frustration seeping into his tone. "We can't afford to lose her now. Lola's safety is paramount. We need to regroup and come up with a plan."

Clone 3's voice was filled with uncertainty. "What if she's in danger? Shouldn't we act now?"

Jayden took a deep breath, his mind racing through the possibilities. "We can't rush blindly into the unknown," he said, his voice firm yet filled with concern. "Our priority is to ensure Lola's safety. Set up a perimeter around the area. Keep a close eye on any potential exits. Notify me immediately if you spot any suspicious activity or if Lola reappears."

" And one of you go to the security area and look through the camera footage."

The clones acknowledged the orders, and their determination renewed.

They dispersed, positioning themselves strategically around the convention centre, hoping to catch any glimpse of Lola's return.

Jayden paced back and forth, his worry evident. He couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that time was slipping away, and he needed to find Lola before it was too late.

" I should have just left with her the moment I came back, I wasn't thinking clearly...but what's done is done, I don't know if I have a do-over so need to do the best with what I have."

But now he was really wishing that the stone had been sent him to before the comic Con event even started.

As the clones stood watch, their gazes fixed on the convention centre, Jayden's mind raced with thoughts of Lola's well-being.

The unknown dangers that surrounded her and the mysterious circumstances of her disappearance only fueled his determination to find her.

...

As Lola and Lily fled from the pursuing terrorists, their desperate escape led them through a labyrinth of corridors within the Comic Con centre.

Every turn seemed to bring them closer to danger, with the menacing footsteps of their pursuers growing louder.

Panic welled up inside Lola as she scanned the area for any possible escape route. Her eyes darted from one door to another, searching for a way out. But fate seemed to have a different plan for them.

In their frantic attempt to evade capture, Lola and Lily stumbled upon an unexpected sight—a partially concealed entrance tucked away behind a large bookshelf.

It was as if fate had led them to this hidden passage, an escape route they couldn't ignore.

Without hesitation, Lola grabbed Lily's hand and hurriedly pulled her through the secret entrance. They entered a narrow, dimly lit tunnel that snaked its way into the depths of the building's foundation.

The air inside the tunnel was musty and filled with a sense of ancient secrecy. The walls were lined with fading murals and inscriptions, hinting at a history long forgotten. Lola's heart raced as she realized they were venturing into uncharted territory, away from the chaos above.

With each step deeper into the tunnel, the sound of their pursuers faded into the distance. It was a temporary respite, but Lola knew they couldn't stay there forever. She had to find a way to keep Lily safe and find help.

Carefully guiding Lily along, Lola pressed on, her senses heightened and alert for any signs of danger. The flickering light of her compass keyring illuminated the path ahead, casting eerie shadows on the ancient walls.

As they continued deeper into the tomb-like tunnel, the atmosphere grew heavier, as if the very air whispered warnings of the tomb's hidden secrets.

In the depths of the underground labyrinth, Lola knew they were at the mercy of the unknown.

She could only hope that within the shadows of the tomb, they would find not only a means of escape but also the answer she sought—the truth behind the Black Mask's men being at the convention and the significance of this excavation site.

....

(Midtown - Gotham City Convention Centre: Time before Destruction - 0 hours 56 minutes remaining)

Deep within the hidden tomb, Black Mask and Penguin found themselves confronted with a harsh reality.

The allure of untold treasures had blinded them to the dangers that lurked within these ancient chambers.

The room they had entered was filled with a sense of foreboding as if the very air whispered warnings of impending doom.

Black Mask, his mask reflecting a glimmer of unease, surveyed the surroundings.

The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of ancient rituals and mythical creatures. It was evident that this place held more than just material wealth—it guarded its secrets with lethal intent.

Penguin, his usually confident demeanour faltering, realized the grave mistake they had made.

The treasure they sought was indeed present, but it came at a heavy price. The tomb was rigged with a series of deadly traps, poised to eliminate any intruders foolish enough to disturb its sanctity.

The remnants of their once formidable gang stood before them, depleted and battered.

Half their men had already fallen victim to the treacherous traps, their bodies lying motionless on the cold stone floor.

Their blood slowly seeped into the crackled floors of the tomb.

Fear and desperation gripped the surviving henchmen as they searched for a way out, their eyes scanning the room for any signs of escape.

Black Mask's voice wavered slightly as he addressed his remaining men, his authority now tainted with uncertainty. "We underestimated the true nature of this place. The treasure we sought comes at a price far steeper than we anticipated. Our path to wealth has become a treacherous maze of death traps."

Penguin, his face etched with frustration and regret, joined the discussion. "We must not allow fear to consume us. There must be a way out of this accursed tomb. Search every nook and cranny, every hidden passage. We cannot afford to lose any more lives."

The henchmen, their spirits dampened by the loss of their comrades, reluctantly followed their leaders' instructions.

They moved cautiously, stepping over the fallen traps and examining the surroundings for any signs of escape.

Every sound and every movement filled the air with tension as if the tomb itself was aware of their presence and revelled in their demise.

Black Mask and Penguin exchanged glances, their eyes betraying the realization that their grand scheme had backfired spectacularly.

The allure of untold riches had blinded them to the perils of this cursed tomb. Now, they were trapped in a deadly game with only one outcome—escape or perish.