In a dark alley…
Tracy ran as fast as she could, her heart pounding — thump… thump… thump… — as she tried to get away from the group of men chasing her.
Suddenly, she slipped, rolling hard against the ground.
Before she could even get up, a boot slammed into her face.
The men, dressed in CODE uniforms, surrounded her. One of them began punching her stomach —
1… 2… 3… 4… 5…
— each blow stealing her breath.
He grabbed her by the neck.
"You… fucking bastards," Tracy spat weakly.
The men laughed darkly. One started unzipping his pants, belt clinking. Tracy's eyes widened in terror as she screamed —
> "Stop! Don't do this! Please… I'm just a kid!"
They didn't listen. Hands gripped her legs—
Suddenly—
GASP!
Tracy jolted awake, heart racing, drenched in sweat. Her breath came in ragged bursts.
---
The Nightmare Returns
Her roommate, Betty, turned from her desk.
"Hey, you good? You were screaming again."
Tracy trembled, voice shaking.
"Betty, I can't do this anymore. The same dream… again. I hate myself. I can't move on."
Betty walked over, concern in her eyes.
"Hey, it's okay. It just takes time. When we finally start having a normal life… things will be good. You'll forget."
Tracy screamed back, voice breaking —
> "I can't forget! Why should I? I was abused constantly… and the people who did it — even in death — are being praised!"
Betty folded her arms.
"So what now, huh? What are you planning to do? ¡Ya déjalo en paz! You saw Divenchy's power, you heard what he said!"
Tears rolled down Betty's cheeks.
"I have trauma too… but I'm trying to push it away. We can't fight the GLDs."
Tracy's tone softened, guilt washing over her.
"Hey, I'm sorry, okay? I don't want to go after the GLDs… but I want to stop people like them — the ones involved in trafficking, abusers… so no one goes through what I did."
Betty smiled faintly — then suddenly hugged her tight.
Tracy blinked, surprised.
"What are you doing, Betty?"
Betty chuckled through her tears.
"You stubborn badass chick. Acting like you don't care, but you're a softy inside."
Leaning back, she said, "Fine, I'll help. I've got info, gadgets, and weapons. You've got the guts and combat skills."
Tracy's eyes lit up — until—
BANG!
The door swung open.
Juice's head peeked in.
"Oops, wrong room. Oh hey ladies, what's poppin'?"
Betty hurled a bottle at him.
"¡Eres un pedazo de mierda! Can't you see we're having a moment here?!"
Juice stumbled back, rubbing his forehead.
"Ah geez, sorry—"
---
A Loud Morning
Lawrence appeared, wrapping his hand around Juice's shoulder.
"You okay?"
Winner, perched on Lawrence's shoulder, shouted, "Of course he's fine! Now c'mon — we're supposed to be at the mall by nine! It's 7:30 already!"
Lawrence sighed.
"Ah, God… what a day this is gonna be."
Juice grinned.
"Don't worry, man. I got your back."
Winner snapped, "No! He's not coming! It's supposed to be me and De!"
Just then, War's door burst open.
"Did someone say going out?"
Winner's eyes widened.
"NO! NOT YOU!"
War chuckled.
"Relax, you won't even know I'm there."
The four of them — with Winner still on Lawrence's shoulder — walked down the hall as Winner continued to complain.
Their footsteps echoed — tap tap tap — down the metallic corridor of the Unknown base.
---
New York — A Waiting Convoy
Meanwhile…
In the quiet suburb of Westchester, a convoy gathered. A limousine sat parked in front of a small mansion.
Inside, the men murmured to one another as they waited.
> "Hey, why are we still waiting? I'm getting bored here."
Another voice came through the radio — deep, steady.
> "Chill. The boss said he's expecting important guests. We're here to pick them up."
A rookie scoffed.
> "Pick them up? Don't tell me it's one of Bahlah's side chicks."
Laughter filled the cars.
The leader, Yang, who bore a scar running from his chin, smirked.
> "Side chick? You wish. Just keep your eyes open, rookie."
The third car spoke up.
> "C'mon man, what's the gist? Who we pickin' up?"
A voice replied,
> "Guess we're about to find out. Look—"
Everyone turned as the mansion doors swung open.
Out stepped War, Lawrence, Void, and Winner.
The rookies stared, jaws dropping.
> "Kids?! Don't tell me Bahlah's got kids!"
Yang sighed.
"Shut up and open the door for them."
As Lawrence and the others approached, Winner muttered, "De, why didn't we just use a private jet instead of the teleportation gate?"
Lawrence shrugged.
"Because this way's faster."
War chuckled softly.
"Nice convoy. Bahlah really knows how to make an entrance."
A rookie opened the limousine door without greeting them. Lawrence didn't even acknowledge the disrespect as he entered.
Yang shook his head, muttering,
> "Bastard. He really doesn't know how dangerous those four are."
---
Florida — Temptation and Tension
Meanwhile, at an estate in Florida…
A grand party was in full swing — the celebration of a successful movie launch.
Music filled the air, champagne sparkled in glasses, and laughter echoed through the hall.
Actor Lavigne sipped his wine, watching a beautiful actress, Michelle, chatting with others.
His colleague, Lee, approached.
"Wow, looks like it's not working out between you and Michelle, huh?"
Lavigne smirked bitterly.
"Yeah, she's way out of my league… even if we starred in the same show."
Lee chuckled, leaning in.
"Cheer up, man. I know a place to help you forget her. Downtown. Best place in Miami — full of ladies, top class."
Lavigne glanced at Michelle one more time, sighed, and downed his wine.
"Fine. I'll try it out."
Lee grinned. "Good man. You won't regret it."
---
Downtown Miami — The Private Lounge
A helicopter thundered across the Miami skyline, its lights flashing over the private lounge below — a den of power, money, and sin.
Inside were rich elites, gang leaders, and celebrities, indulging in gambling, drinks, and darker pleasures.
In the helicopter sat Tracy, suiting up, eyes sharp and focused.
She spoke into her comms.
"Betty, you sure this is the place?"
Betty's voice came through with static.
"Yeah, I'm sure. But when I said I'd help stop trafficking, I didn't think you'd go solo today!"
Tracy smirked, adjusting her mask.
"The earlier the better."
Betty groaned.
"Just remember — no one in the Unknown knows about this mission. You're on your own. The King — the gang boss — left for New York. Be careful."
Betty replied, "I know. And if things get—"
Tracy interrupted, "—Hard, you leave! Geez, is this how you act when running Demon's ops in Bangalore?
Betty laughed softly.
"Shut up and go."
Without hesitation, she leapt from the helicopter — whoosh! — descending fast through the Miami night as the chopper veered away.
At that same moment, Lee and Lavigne stepped out of a car near the lounge.
Lee smirked.
"Man, I've been waiting to take someone here. Let's go in."
The bass thumped. The lights glowed red. And somewhere above — Tracy's boots hit the rooftop with a silent thud.
Her heart raced.
Thump… thump… thump.
The hunt had begun.