RAVENS WARNING
562 Words
The old church erupted into chaos.
The moment Raven raised her pistol, Ryder shoved Ava behind a thick stone pillar.
"Stay down!" he ordered.
A gunshot echoed through the sanctuary.
The bullet shattered a stained-glass window instead of hitting its target. Colored fragments rained across the dusty floor.
Mason fired back from behind a broken pew.
Samuel kicked over a heavy wooden bench, creating cover for the group.
Outside, motorcycles roared as Raven's mercenaries surrounded every exit.
"We're trapped," Ava whispered.
Ryder's eyes swept across the church.
"No."
He pointed toward a narrow staircase leading beneath the altar.
"There's always another way."
Samuel forced open the old trapdoor hidden beneath the church floor.
A damp tunnel stretched into darkness.
"This place was built nearly two hundred years ago," Samuel explained. "The priests used these tunnels during the civil war."
Ryder turned to Ava.
"You go first."
She hesitated.
"What about you?"
"I'm right behind you."
She nodded and climbed into the tunnel. Mason followed, carrying the journal they had found.
Just as Ryder prepared to descend, Raven stepped into the doorway.
"Running away again?"
Her cold smile hadn't changed.
Ryder stood still.
"I don't have time for this."
"You never had time for me."
Ava looked back.
"You know her?"
Raven laughed bitterly.
"We were partners once."
The words caught everyone by surprise.
"We trained together. We fought together." Her eyes never left Ryder. "Then he chose Iron Haven over me."
Ryder's voice remained calm.
"I chose the right path."
"You chose weakness."
Raven fired again.
Ryder ducked behind a stone column as the bullet chipped away part of the wall.
He returned two quick shots, forcing Raven back outside.
"Move!" he shouted.
He jumped into the tunnel and slammed the trapdoor shut behind him.
The tunnel was cold and smelled of damp earth.
Only the beam from Samuel's flashlight guided their way.
Water dripped from the ceiling.
Their footsteps echoed through the narrow passage.
Ava clutched the silver locket in one hand.
"So Raven used to be your friend?"
Ryder didn't answer immediately.
"We grew up together."
"What happened?"
"She believed power was worth any price."
"And you didn't?"
"I've seen what happens when people choose power over people."
His thoughts drifted to Lucas.
His brother had paid that price.
No one spoke again.
After nearly fifteen minutes, fresh air drifted through the tunnel.
Samuel smiled.
"We're close."
They climbed a rusted ladder and emerged inside an abandoned barn several miles from the church.
Morning sunlight poured through the broken roof.
For the first time that day, Ava felt she could breathe.
Then Mason's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed.
"Boss..."
"What is it?"
"Our clubhouse."
Ryder frowned.
"What about it?"
Mason swallowed.
"It's under attack."
Ava's heart dropped.
"But everyone was still there."
Claire.
The mechanics.
The younger club members.
Families.
Ryder climbed onto his motorcycle without another word.
"We're going home."
The engines roared to life.
As they sped toward Iron Haven, none of them noticed the small tracking device hidden beneath Ava's motorcycle boot.
Far behind them, Raven watched a blinking signal on her phone.
She smiled.
"Run as far as you like."
Her finger traced the moving dot on the map.
"You'll lead me straight to Iron Haven."
She slipped on her helmet and started her motorcycle.
"The hunt has only just begun."
- Writer
