Chapter 21: Echoes Vengeance not over,” Liam his voice edged with frustration. “Henry might be gone, this… this feels different. thoughts racing. Henry’s defeat had come at a cost, now, a new threat loomed. The message they had received was chilling. reached her pocket, pulling out the crumpled note. “It’s threat,” she said voice trembling. “It’s a promise. ‘Surrender or face consequences. ’ What kind of does this?” Liam and turned to face her. “Someone knows us. Someone from your past. Ava’s heart skipped a beat. The shadows of her past were dark and deep, filled faces she’d forget. She stood up, clutching note tightly. “We need to find out it is. Before late. The air cool against their skin they walked through the of the city. The moon hung low, casting eerie shadows the cobblestones. felt shiver run down spine, not from but from the weight of the unknown. Liam’s hand brushed hers, a brief moment of contact that sent a jolt through her. She glanced at seeing the determination in eyes. Despite everything, he had stood by her side. Her feelings for him were but so was the fear that with them. you it’s someone the crew?” Liam asked, the silence. This feels personal. More than just business. It’s a vendetta. They reached the abandoned windows dark, eyes staring at them. Ava pushed the door open, the creak in empty space. Inside, the air was thick with and memories. place had once been a haven, a of plans and dreams. it just a relic of a past that to let go. As they ventured deeper into the warehouse, they found a small table with a single, flickering candle. On it lay another note. picked it up, her shaking. “To find the truth, within,” she read aloud. “You have day. Liam cursed breath. “What does that even mean?” Ava looked around, the shadows playing tricks on eyes. “It means running out of time. Back at their safe Ava couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. She the small living cryptic message echoing in mind. Liam sat on the couch, his head in his hands. “We keep running,” he said finally. “We need to face this head-on. looked him. “And if it’s a trap?” Liam up, crossing the room to her. “Then we spring it. His words hung in the air, a promise and a challenge. Ava felt a of a mix of fear and longing. She reached out, her fingers cheek. “Liam, I…” Before she finish, a crash echoed through the room. They spun around, weapons drawn, to see a standing in doorway. The light from the street cast a shadow, obscuring the person’s face. “Hello, Ava,” the figure stepping forward. The voice was familiar, hauntingly so. Ava’s breath her throat. “It can’t be. You’re supposed dead. figure laughed, a sound. You shouldn’t be. You me for dead, I survived. And it’s watch suffer. Liam stand Ava, his eyes narrowing. “Who you?” The figure stepped into light, revealing a face that Ava had hoped to see again. “I’m the ghost your past, Ava. And I’ve come collect. mind raced. had buried this part of her life, thinking it over. But here it was, resurrected and for revenge. do you want?” The figure’s eyes gleamed malice. want you the pain I felt. Surrender, or face consequences. Ava’s pounded in her chest. She at Liam, seeing the same in eyes. Together, they face anything. But this was different. This personal. “You have one day,” the figure said, to leave. “Make your choice. shut, leaving and Liam in stunned silence. The heavy the a dark promise of was to come. new episodes on the “BunnyBookery”.