(Keifer's POV)
We rolled out in two cars.
Adrian and I in front, Ciel, Yuri, Percy, and Aries following close behind.
Ciel's laptop sat open on her knees, a small blip tracking the van's last location.
"Abandoned house in the west district," she said over the coms. "Used to be a factory ten years ago."
Aries' voice came through. "Let's move fast. Every minute counts."
My hands gripped the wheel so tight my knuckles ached.
Jayjay's face flashed in my head — her laugh, her eyes, the way she'd say 'bye-bye kiss' each morning.
"Hang on, baby," I muttered. "We're coming."
The building stood alone in the dark, its windows shattered, rust staining the walls.
The wind howled through the broken doors as we stepped inside.
Ciel checked her device. "The signal is still inside."
"Split up?" Yuri asked.
I nodded. "Pairs. Stay on coms."
The air was cold, smelling of dust and metal. Each step echoed.
We moved quietly until Adrian stopped abruptly, hand raised.
"Do you hear that?" he whispered.
A muffled sound — breathing, weak and uneven.
I tightened my grip on the flashlight.
We turned a corner, and then we saw her.
Jayjay.
She was tied to a chair in the center of the room, head leaning to the side, hair messy, a bruise on her arm.
My heart nearly stopped.
"Jayjay—!" I moved forward, but Adrian grabbed my arm.
"Wait."
And then a shadow moved from behind her.
Tall, cold, and familiar.
He stepped into the light, a knife glinting in his hand, his eyes sharp and calculating.
Adrian froze.
"삼촌… ( Samchon… — Uncle ...) Victor?" he breathed.
Victor Voss Delacruze smiled slowly.
"Well, well," he said smoothly, switching to English. "I was wondering how long it would take the prodigy of Section E to arrive."
The knife hovered near Jayjay's neck.
I felt rage burn in my veins. If he hurt her—
Adrian's eyes darkened with a mix of shock and fury.
"Why are you doing this?"
Victor's smile widened. "Because, my dear nephew… she's the key to everything you've been kept from."
Jayjay's head moved slightly — a groan, a sign of life.
My heart pounded harder.
This was just the beginning.
To be continued…