Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTYKE0DNNJP9PWPQXY1F313

Aurora hid her left wrist beneath the sleeve of her damp jacket. The glass in front of her stayed full. Condensation pooled around the base, wetting her fingers. She wiped them on her jeans. Silas stopped polishing the tumbler. He set the cloth down. The fabric made a soft slap against the mahogany counter. He looked at her hands, then at her face. His hazel eyes narrowed. The grey streaks in his auburn hair caught the low light of the pendant lamps. You are a long way from Cardiff. Aurora kept her gaze on the beer mat. She peeled a corner up. The cardboard resisted. People move. Not people like you. Not without reason. She let the corner fall. The neon green sign from the window cast a sickly glow across the bar top. Dust motes danced in the beam. The air smelled of stale ale and lemon polish. Old maps lined the walls, their edges curling with age. Black-and-white photographs watched from the dark wood panelling. Faces of men who looked like they knew where bodies were buried. I need a room. Silas leaned forward. His left knee clicked. He rubbed the joint through his trousers. The silver signet ring on his right hand glinted. I run a bar, not a hotel. You have space upstairs. Who told you that? Does it matter? Silas picked up the glass again. He held it up to the light. A smear remained on the rim. He polished it away with his thumb. Your father sent you. My father does not know I exist. That carries a heavy price tag. I can pay. With what? You look like you slept in that jacket. Aurora pulled her sleeve down further. The fabric covered the crescent scar. She remembered the bike chain. The gravel. The blood. That was a lifetime ago. Before the law degree. Before Evan. Before the bruising started. I have cash. Cash buys silence. It does not buy safety. I need both. Silas set the glass down. He walked around the bar. His limp was more pronounced on the worn floorboards. He stopped beside her. He smelled of tobacco and old paper. He reached out. She flinched. He paused. His hand hovered near her shoulder. He dropped it to his side. Show me. Aurora hesitated. She pushed her sleeve up. The white scar stood out against her skin. Silas traced the line with a rough finger. He did not touch her skin. He hovered over the mark. Brendan's daughter had a scar like this. Brendan's daughter is dead. Are you sure? I buried her. Silas stepped back. He crossed his arms. The movement pulled his jacket tight across his shoulders. Then who sits at my bar? Someone who wants to stay buried. You brought trouble with you. I can smell it. It is behind me. Trouble does not stay behind. It follows. Like a shadow. Aurora stood up. The stool scraped against the floor. The sound echoed in the quiet room. She reached into her pocket. Her fingers brushed the cold steel of the key Silas had slid across the counter earlier. She had not noticed him do it. I will take the room. I did not offer it. You slid the key. I slid it to see if you were still honest. And? You kept it. That counts for something. Aurora pocketed the key. She turned toward the door. The green neon sign buzzed. A car engine revved outside. Headlights swept across the ceiling. The beams cut through the smoke haze. Stay here. Silas moved toward the window. He peeked through the blinds. His hand went to the small of his back. Who is it? Men in suits. Not locals. Aurora's breath hitched. She moved to the back of the bar. The hidden bookshelf stood against the rear wall. She knew the mechanism. She had watched Silas use it once before. She pressed the spine of a thick atlas. The shelf clicked. It swung inward. Get in. I am not hiding. You are dead, remember? Dead people do not stand in the light. Aurora stepped into the dark room. The air inside was cold. It smelled of metal and gun oil. A single bulb hung from the ceiling. It flickered. Silas closed the shelf. The latch clicked. She was alone. Voices filtered through the wood. Muffled. Angry. We know she is here. This is a private establishment. Do not play games, Blackwood. We have witnesses. Witnesses lie. Not when they are paid enough. Footsteps approached the back wall. Aurora pressed herself into the shadows. Her hand found the table in the centre of the room. Her fingers traced the surface. Dust. She wiped it away. The bookshelf moved. Light spilled in. Silas stood there. He held a pistol. It was not pointed at her. He aimed it at the door behind him. Get down. Aurora dropped. Glass shattered. A bullet sparked off the doorframe. Silas fired twice. The shots were deafening in the small space. The smell of cordite filled the air. They are leaving. For now. Silas lowered the gun. He checked the chamber. He clicked it shut. You owe me a door. I told you. I can pay. Silas looked at her. His face was hard. The lines around his eyes deepened. Money is not the currency here, Rory. He used her nickname. The sound of it hit her like a physical blow. She stood up. Her legs shook. She steadied herself on the table. What do you want? Information. About what? About why men with silenced pistols are looking for a dead girl. Aurora walked past him. She stepped into the main bar. The front door hung open. The night air rushed in. Cold. Sharp. She looked out at the street. The car was gone. Only the exhaust fumes remained. They will come back. Yes. Then I need more than a room. Silas joined her. He locked the door. He turned the sign to Closed. The green neon buzzed and died. Then you need to start talking. Aurora looked at her wrist. The scar throbbed. Where do we start? Start with the name of the man who put the scar there. Aurora turned away. She walked toward the stairs. The wood creaked under her feet. Evan. Silas went still. He did not follow. Evan who? Evan who owns the city. Silas laughed. It was a dry, humourless sound. There are many men who think they own the city. Not like him. Silas walked to the bar. He poured two drinks. He slid one across the counter. Aurora did not take it. Drink it. It will help. I do not need help. You need to stay alive. There is a difference. Aurora picked up the glass. She swallowed the liquid. It burned her throat. She set the glass down. Hard. He knows I am here. Then we move you. Where? Somewhere he does not look. There is no such place. Silas picked up his own glass. He swirled the amber liquid. There is one. Where? Silas looked at the ceiling. Then at the floor. Then at her. Underground. Aurora frowned. You mean the tube? I mean the tunnels. The old ones. The ones not on the map. Why there? Because rats survive where lions starve. Aurora grabbed her jacket. She pulled it tight. Show me. Silas finished his drink. He set the glass in the sink. He walked to the back room. He moved the atlas again. The shelf swung open. But this time, he did not stop. He walked into the dark. Follow me. Aurora followed. The room led to a corridor. The walls were brick. Damp seeped through the mortar. A single light bulb hung at the far end. It swung gently. How do you know about this? I built half of it. When? Before you were born. They reached the end of the corridor. A steel door stood before them. It had no handle. Silas pressed his signet ring against a panel. The metal groaned. The door unlocked. Silas pushed it open. A rush of cold air hit them. It smelled of earth and rust. Welcome to the nest. Aurora stepped through. The ground beneath her feet was not concrete. It was dirt. She looked up. The ceiling was low. Pipes ran along the walls. Water dripped. Somewhere in the distance, a train rumbled. Silas closed the door. The lock engaged with a heavy thud. You are safe here. For how long? Until I say otherwise. Aurora walked deeper into the tunnel. Her shoes squelched in the mud. She stopped. She turned back. Silas stood in the doorway. He was half in shadow. Why help me? Silas touched his knee. He grimaced. Because I owe Brendan a debt. He is not here to collect. I know. Silas reached into his jacket. He pulled out a phone. He tossed it to her. She caught it. It was heavy. Old. Only one number in there. Who? Me. What if I need something else? Then you wait. Aurora looked at the phone. The screen was black. Go to sleep, Rory. We move at dawn. Aurora turned away. She walked into the darkness. The dirt floor felt soft. She found a cot in the corner. It smelled of mould. She sat down. Silas remained at the door. He watched her. He did not blink. Sleep with one eye open. Aurora lay down. She closed her eyes. She listened to the dripping water. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. A noise came from the tunnel ahead. A footstep. Aurora opened her eyes. She reached for the knife in her boot. Silas raised his hand. He held a finger to his lips. He was not alone. Someone else was in the tunnel. Aurora gripped the knife. The metal was cold. She slid off the cot. She moved silently. Silas moved with her. They crept toward the sound. The footsteps stopped. A voice whispered from the dark. Found you. Aurora tightened her grip on the knife. She stepped forward. Show yourself. A figure emerged from the shadows. He wore a mask. He held a phone. He recorded them. Evan sends his regards. Silas raised his pistol. Drop it. The man laughed. He did not drop the phone. You cannot shoot me. Watch me. If I die, the video uploads. Aurora froze. What video? The man tapped the screen. Everything. Where you are. Who you are. Who you are with. Silas lowered the gun slightly. Delete it. Make me. The man lunged. Silas fired. The shot missed. The man ran. Aurora chased him. Her boots slapped against the wet earth. The tunnel curved. The light faded. She lost him in the dark. She stopped. She listened. Nothing. Only the dripping water. Silas caught up. He was breathing hard. His limp was worse. He got away. He has the location. We move. Now. Where? Silas looked at the ceiling. Water dripped onto his face. Higher. Aurora looked at the tunnel. It went deep. How do we go higher? Silas pointed to a ladder on the wall. It rusted. It led up into the darkness. Climb. Aurora grabbed the rung. The metal was cold. She pulled herself up. Silas followed. Halfway up, the ladder shook. Someone was climbing below them. Aurora looked down. She saw nothing. She looked up. The hatch was closed. It was locked. Silas reached the top. He pushed against the metal. It did not move. We are trapped. Aurora looked down. The footsteps below were closer. Silas pulled a device from his pocket. He attached it to the hatch. Stand back. Aurora pressed herself against the wall. Silas triggered the device. An explosion rocked the ladder. The hatch blew open. Light flooded in. They climbed through. They were in a basement. Boxes stacked high. Dust everywhere. Silas sealed the hatch. Where are we? Camden. Aurora looked around. How? Tunnels connect the city. Like veins. A phone rang. Silas answered. He listened. He hung up. They know we are here. How? The video. Aurora clenched her fists. Then we destroy the source. Silas looked at her. He smiled. It was a dangerous smile. Now you sound like your father. Where is he? Silas walked to the door. He opened it. The street noise rushed in. Come with me. Aurora followed. They stepped onto the pavement. The rain started. It fell hard. Silas hailed a cab. Get in. Aurora got in. Silas gave the driver an address. Where are we going? To meet the devil. Aurora looked out the window. The city blurred. Is Evan there? No. Who? The man who pays Evan. Aurora felt cold. Why tell me? Because you need to know what you are fighting. The cab stopped. A large building loomed ahead. Glass and steel. Lights burned on every floor. Silas paid the driver. He got out. Aurora stayed in the car. Are you coming? Silas stood in the rain. He waited. Aurora opened the door. She stepped out. The rain soaked her hair. They walked to the entrance. Two guards stood by the door. They wore suits. They wore earpieces. Silas walked past them. They did not stop him. Aurora followed. The lobby was empty. A reception desk stood in the centre. No one sat behind it. Silas walked to the lift. He pressed the button. The doors opened. They stepped inside. Silas pressed the top floor. The lift rose. The numbers climbed. Ten. Twenty. Thirty. The lift stopped. The doors opened. A man stood there. He wore a white suit. He held a glass of wine. Welcome, Aurora. Aurora stepped out. Who are you? The man smiled. He took a sip of wine. I am the reason you ran. Silas stepped beside her. He raised his gun. The man did not flinch. Put that away, Silas. You know it will not work. Silas lowered the gun. Why are we here? To make a deal. Aurora looked at the man. She knew him. She had seen his face on the news. You are dead. Am I? The man walked to the window. He looked out at the city. Death is a matter of perspective. He turned around. He raised his glass. To new beginnings. Aurora looked at Silas. Silas shook his head. Do not drink it. The man laughed. He drank the wine. He set the glass down. Sit down, Aurora. We have much to discuss. Aurora did not sit. I want Evan. The man waved his hand. Evan is a tool. Tools break. Where is he? The man walked to a desk. He opened a drawer. He pulled out a photo. He slid it across the desk. Aurora picked it up. It was a picture of Evan. He was dead. His eyes were open. He is no longer a problem. Aurora dropped the photo. Who killed him? The man smiled. I did. Aurora lunged. Silas held her back. Let me go. No. The man watched them. He picked up his glass. You are free, Aurora. Go home. Aurora pulled away from Silas. This is not freedom. It is the only kind you will get. Aurora looked at the photo on the floor. She looked at the man. I will find out the truth. The man shrugged. Try. Aurora turned. She walked to the lift. Silas followed. They got in. The doors closed. Aurora leaned against the wall. She breathed hard. He lied. Yes. About what? About everything. The lift reached the ground. The doors opened. They walked out. The rain had stopped. Silas hailed another cab. Where now? Home. Aurora got in. Silas gave the address of the bar. The cab drove off. Aurora looked at her wrist. The scar itched. She pulled out the phone Silas gave her. It buzzed. A message. Unknown Number: Run. Aurora looked at Silas. He did not look at her. He looked out the window. The cab turned a corner. A black car followed them. Aurora tapped Silas on the shoulder. He saw the car. He nodded. Drive faster. The driver sped up. The black car stayed behind. Aurora gripped the seat. They are not letting us go. Silas checked his gun. No. They are not. The cab screeched around a bend. The black car clipped the bumper. Sparks flew. Hold on. The cab hit a pothole. Aurora slammed into the door. Silas rolled down the window. He leaned out. He fired. The black car swerved. It hit a lamppost. Glass shattered. The cab stopped. Silas threw money at the driver. Go. The driver drove off. Silas and Aurora stood on the street. The black car was wrecked. Smoke rose from the engine. A door opened. A man stumbled out. He held his side. Blood soaked his shirt. Aurora walked toward him. Who sent you? The man spat blood. You already know. Aurora kicked him. He fell. Tell me. The man laughed. He died. Aurora stood over the body. She looked at Silas. We need to leave London. Silas looked at the sky. The first light of dawn appeared. No. We need to end this. How? Silas walked to the body. He searched the pockets. He found a key. He held it up. This opens a locker. Where? King's Cross. What is in it? Proof. Proof of what? Of who really owns the city. Aurora took the key. It was cold. Let's go. They walked toward the station. The city woke up around them. People rushed to work. They did not see the blood on Aurora's shoes. They reached the station. It was crowded. Silas pointed to the lockers. Row four. Number twelve. Aurora walked to the locker. She inserted the key. It turned. She opened the door. Inside was a box. She picked it up. It was heavy. She opened it. It was full of money. And a passport. Her passport. But the name was different. Laila. Aurora looked at Silas. What is this? Silas walked toward her. He did not smile. Your new life. I do not want a new life. You do not have a choice. Aurora closed the box. Who is Laila? Someone who does not exist. Aurora threw the box at him. It hit his chest. Money flew everywhere. People stopped. They stared. Silas did not move. Pick it up. No. Pick it up, or I leave you here. Aurora looked at the money on the floor. She looked at Silas. You are no better than them. Silas bent down. He picked up a note. He handed it to her. Read it. Aurora took the note. It was a death warrant. For her. Signed by Evan. Dated yesterday. Aurora looked at Silas. He is dead. The signature is real. How? Silas looked at the crowd. They were watching. We need to go. Now. Aurora grabbed the box. She shoved the money back inside. Where? Silas pointed to the train platform. Anywhere but here. Aurora ran. Silas followed. They jumped onto the moving train. The doors closed. Aurora looked out the window. A man stood on the platform. He wore a white suit. He waved. Aurora sat down. She opened the box. At the bottom was a gun. She picked it up. Silas sat opposite her. You will need that. Aurora checked the chamber. It was full. Who is next? Silas looked out the window. Everyone. The train entered a tunnel. The lights flickered. Aurora held the gun. She waited. The train slowed. It stopped. The doors opened. No platform. Just darkness. Silas stood up. Welcome to the end. Aurora stood up. She raised the gun. Let's finish this. They stepped into the dark.