NARROW ESCAPE

CHAPTER THREE: HUNTED

The floodlights blinded him.

Benjamin raised his arm instinctively, shielding his eyes as boots hit the pavement all around him.

“Don’t move!” one of the agents barked.

Too late for that.

Benjamin’s heart was still racing from the fight. His energy was drained. His body hurt.

And now…

Guns.

A lot of guns.

At the center of it all stood the man in the dark coat.

Calm. Unshaken.

Watching.

“Benjamin Freed,” the man said, his voice steady. “You’re coming with us.”

Benjamin froze.

“…You know my name?”

The man stepped forward slightly.

“We know everything we need to.”

System Alert:

Threat Level: Moderate → Increasing

Benjamin’s jaw tightened.

“Yeah… I don’t think so.”

The agents raised their weapons.

A faint hum filled the air — not normal guns.

Advanced.

The man in the coat spoke again.

“My name is Kade. Agent Kade.”

He studied Benjamin carefully.

“You displayed abnormal abilities. That makes you a risk.”

Benjamin let out a dry laugh.

“A risk? I just saved people.”

Kade didn’t react.

“And destroyed public infrastructure. Engaged an unidentified entity. Exhibited unknown energy discharge.”

Pause.

“You’re coming with us.”

Benjamin glanced around.

Surrounded.

No energy left.

Injured.

“…System,” he muttered under his breath. “Any ideas?”

System Response:

Energy insufficient for combat abilities.

Alternative suggestion: Evade.

“Yeah, no kidding.”

One of the agents stepped forward.

“Last warning!”

Benjamin’s mind raced.

Think.

Think.

Think.

Then—

He noticed it.

A narrow alley to his left.

Dark.

Unwatched.

System Prompt:

Reflex Acceleration available (low energy mode)

Benjamin exhaled slowly.

“One shot…”

He looked back at Kade.

“…Sorry.”

He moved.

Everything snapped into slow motion again.

Not as strong as before — but enough.

Benjamin ducked low and sprinted toward the alley.

“Stop him!”

Gunfire erupted.

Energy rounds tore through the air.

Benjamin twisted, barely dodging.

One grazed his arm.

“Ahh—!”

He stumbled — but didn’t stop.

System Feedback:

Minor damage detected

Reflex mode unstable

“Of course it is…”

He turned into the alley—

—and immediately vaulted over a dumpster.

Footsteps thundered behind him.

They were fast.

Too fast.

“These guys don’t play…”

A shadow dropped in front of him.

Benjamin skidded to a halt.

Another agent.

Blocking his path.

“End of the line.”

The agent raised his weapon.

Benjamin’s breathing slowed.

“…No.”

The world sharpened again.

Every detail.

Every movement.

Every possibility.

The agent fired.

Benjamin moved.

He stepped inside the shot.

Grabbed the agent’s arm.

Twisted.

The weapon discharged upward.

Benjamin drove his shoulder forward—

SLAM!

The agent hit the wall and dropped.

Unconscious.

Benjamin stared for half a second.

“…I did that too.”

“Impressive.”

The voice came from behind him.

Cold.

Controlled.

Benjamin turned.

Agent Kade stood at the alley entrance.

Alone.

No weapon raised.

Just watching.

“You’re adapting quickly,” Kade said.

Benjamin backed up slightly.

“Yeah… survival does that.”

Kade tilted his head.

“You’re inexperienced. Injured. And surrounded.”

Pause.

“You won’t escape.”

Benjamin smirked faintly.

“Wanna bet?”

System Prompt:

New function detected…

Benjamin blinked.

“…What?”

System Response:

Emergency Mobility Option Available

Cost: All remaining energy + physical strain

“…Define ‘strain.’”

Potential loss of consciousness.

“…Great.”

Kade stepped forward.

“This is your last chance.”

Benjamin looked at him.

Then at the alley behind him.

Then at the system interface.

“…Do it.”

System Response:

Activating… Burst Movement

Energy surged through his legs.

Violent.

Unstable.

Benjamin launched forward.

Like a bullet.

Kade’s eyes widened slightly—

—but not enough.

Benjamin shot past him, faster than anything he had done before.

Out of the alley.

Into the night.

Behind him—

Silence.

Then Kade’s voice, calm as ever:

“…Track him.”

Benjamin didn’t stop running.

Couldn’t.

Everything blurred.

His vision darkened.

His body screamed.

“Just… a little… further…”

He turned a corner—

Then another—

Then—

He collapsed.

Darkness swallowed him.

System Status:

Energy: 0/10

Host Condition: Unconscious

System Log:

Host survival… maintained.

Far away…

Something watched.

And for the first time—

It spoke.

“Interesting…”

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