The Handler's body hit the floor with a heavy thud. Stone fired into the darkness, his shots wild, his heart pounding. The lights flickered back on, revealing chaos. Hayes was on the ground, the Handler on top of him, blood pooling beneath them. Marcus was gone. The Architect was gone.
Stone moved to the Handler's side, rolling him off Hayes. The Handler's eyes were open, his breathing shallow, a bullet wound in his chest.
"Stay with me," Stone said, pressing his hands to the wound. "Stay with me."
The Handler coughed, blood flecking his lips. "He's gone. The Architect. He escaped."
"I don't care about him." Stone's voice was raw. "I care about you."
The Handler's eyes met his. "I've been a soldier my whole life. I knew this day would come." He reached up, his hand gripping Stone's ar
