Lena's pov
I crouched in the shadow near the corner, heart pounding as I watched the two figures lean closer, their voices low but urgent. Between them, a small USB stick exchanged hands — the data I needed.
Before I could move, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?"
I whipped around, just in time to see a third man charging at me with a flash of cold intent in his eyes.
There was no time to think.
I dodged to the side, but he was fast, swinging a heavy fist that grazed my shoulder.
Pain flared, but adrenaline took over.
I pushed off the wall, landing a quick jab to his ribs. He grunted, stumbling back.
The other two turned, eyes wide, realizing the situation had escalated.
One lunged at me, and I barely dodged, feeling his breath close on my neck.
Fighting wasn't just about strength — it was speed, awareness, survival.
I grabbed a nearby metal chair and swung it, catching the man off guard.
He crashed to the floor, groaning.
But the first man recovered quickly and charged again.
I ducked under his punch, twisting my body and delivering a sharp elbow to his jaw.
He staggered.
The two others regrouped, moving to surround me.
My mind raced — I needed to get that USB stick, needed to get out.
In the chaos, the man holding the data cursed and tried to pull away.
I lunged, knocking the USB from his grasp.
It skittered across the floor.
I dove after it, fingers closing around the cold plastic just as the men tackled me to the ground.
Fists rained down, but I twisted, elbowing one in the ribs and shoving the other off.
I scrambled to my feet, clutching the USB like my life depended on it — because it did.
Sirens blared faintly in the distance, and I knew I had to disappear before backup arrived.
Heart racing, breath ragged, I slipped into the shadows and melted into the crowd.
Mission halfway done.
But the fight was far from over.