Chapter 56

The soldier continues his taunting, his voice a harsh whisper in the tense air. "Look at you, Zero. Reduced to hiding in a pit with these misfits. Did you really think you could escape the Germinal Organization forever? You're better off dead like you were meant to be, but luckily for you, we were given the order to bring you back alive." He spat.

As he spoke, his eyes flick to Maya. Without warning, he lunges and grabs her gruffly, pulling her close and pressing a knife to her neck. Maya's eyes widen with shock and fear, her breath catching in her throat. Drake feels his heart pound in his chest, a sudden surge of rage threatening to overwhelm him.

"Let her go!" Drake shouts, stepping forward instinctively.

The soldier tightens his grip on Maya, the blade pressing harder against her skin. "Ah, ah, ah," he sneers, eyes glinting with malice. "One more step, and she gets a new smile. Here's the deal, Zero: you come with us silently, or she dies right here, right now."

Drake's mind race