The courtroom was silent except for the low panicked breaths of the people in the room everyone was staring at the judge who was sitting in his high chair looking down at the defendant his eyes cold and filled with anger the defendant a tall broad shouldered black man named Marcus stood before him his hands tightly Shackled his eyes filled with confusion and disbelief the gavel had just struck and the judge's voice rang Out in a chilling tone sentenced to 25 5 years in prison for your crimes the judge declared his voice echoing in the room you
are a danger to society and you will spend the rest of your life Behind Bars the words were like a punch to Marcus's gut he had expected to be sentenced but not like this he had been wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit the trial had been a blur filled with lies Prejudice and a corrupt system that seemed to want to put him away no Matter what he could feel the anger building up inside him he couldn't just stand there and take it anymore he couldn't let this racist judge get away with sentencing him
to a life he didn't deserve without thinking he lunged forward his shackles clanging against the floor as he jumped toward the judge eyes burning with Fury the entire courtroom gasped but Marcus didn't care his fists clenched and with a roar he charged knocking over chairs and Knocking down anyone in his path the judge startled and unprepared barely had time to react before Marcus reached him grabbing the collar of his robes and pulling him toward him the room erupted in chaos with people screaming and rushing to stop Marcus a guard tried to intervene but Marcus was
too fast his rage pushing him forward the judge trembling in fear tried to push him away but Marcus was Unstoppable his mind was clouded with a mix of anger Frustration and a desperate need for justice the judge's face turned pale as Marcus yanked him from his chair and threw him against the desk the entire room seemed to freeze time stretching as the judge once so powerful and Untouchable lay there helpless and then everything went black the scene was a blur of shouts sirens and frantic voices but Marcus couldn't remember anything after that his body was
numb and his mind was a Fu The last thing he remembered was that moment when his anger had boiled over and now he was paying the price but he had no idea what was coming next the repercussions of this act were only just beginning to unfold and as the tension in the courtroom reached its peak it became clear that this was just the beginning of something much larger the judge had been attacked but what would happen now would Marcus face even worse punishment for what he had done would The truth ever come to light and
most importantly who was truly guilty in this Twisted game of Justice Marcus had been walking in circles in his small prison cell for what felt like hours the walls seemed to close in on him the faint flicker of a single light bulb overhead the only sign of time passing he hadn't spoken to anyone since the incident in the courtroom and the silence weighed heavily on him he couldn't get the image of the judge's face out of his mind the Look of Terror that had been in his eyes when Marcus attacked him haunted him and now
Marcus was wondering what kind of punishment awaited him he had been thrown into solitary confinement right after the chaos in the courtroom they called it punishment for his violent Outburst but Marcus knew it was more than that they wanted to break him they wanted to make sure he would never rise up again and yet there was a fire inside him a part of him that refused to give In days passed and Marcus was left to his thoughts his anger simmering beneath the surface his mind wandered back to the trial the unfairness of it all he
had been falsely accused ACC used of robbing a store a crime he didn't commit and yet the evidence against him had been overwhelming it didn't matter that he had an alibi or that he had Witnesses who could vouch for his innocence all that mattered was that he was black and the judge the prosecutor and the jury Were all too willing to believe the worst of him but Marcus wasn't the only one who had suffered at the hands of a broken system he had seen it happen to others before in the streets in the courts in
the neighborhoods where people like him were treated as less than human and now he had become part of that system a small Pawn in a game that seemed impossible to win as Marcus lay on the cold concrete floor of his cell that night he heard the sound of Footsteps approaching it was a familiar sound one that made his heart race he had heard it before countless times the footsteps of the guards who came to check on him to make sure he wasn't planning an escape to remind him that he was trapped but this time the
foot steps stopped outside his cell the sound of a key turning in the lock echoed through the empty hallway Marcus sat up his heart pounding in his chest who was it why were they coming for him now the Door creeped open and a tall figure stepped inside it was a guard but not one Marcus recognized the man's face was obscured by a dark Hood his hands hidden inside the folds of his uniform he didn't speak at first but there was something in his eyes that made Marcus uneasy get up the man ordered his voice low
and grally Marcus hesitated for a moment unsure of what was going on but then he stood up slowly his muscles aching from the hours he had spent lying On the cold floor the man reached for his wrist and cuffed it pulling him roughly out of the cell where are you taking me Marcus asked his voice shaky the guard didn't answer instead he shoved Marcus down the hallway his footsteps echoing in the the empty space the air felt thick with tension and Marcus could sense something was off this wasn't a routine check this was something more
the guard led him through a maze of hallways and down staircases Each turn more confusing than the last Marcus couldn't figure out where they were going but he knew it wasn't the direction of the prison yard they were heading deeper into the bowels of the facility finally they reached a large steel door and the guard stopped he knocked twice on the door and it swung open revealing a dark room Beyond inside there were two men sitting at a long table their faces hidden in the shadows Marcus was shoved inside and the door Slammed shut behind
him he looked around trying to make sense of the situation this was no ordinary interrogation room this was something more secretive more dangerous one of the men at the table leaned forward his face partially illuminated by the dim light he had the cold calculating look of someone who had seen too much in this world his eyes locked onto Marcus and for a moment Marcus felt a chill run down his spine you've caused quite a stir Marcus the Man said his voice smooth almost too calm but the real question is it why why did you attack
the judge Marcus's heart raced the judge he hadn't thought about him in days but now the man's question brought everything rushing back the anger the the fear the Injustice it was all too much and now here he was standing in this dark room facing an unknown future I did it because he was wrong Marcus said his voice trembling he was racist and he sentenced me to prison For something I didn't do I couldn't just let him get away with it the man at the table nodded slowly as if he had been expecting that answer then
he leaned back steepling his fingers we know that Marcus we know everything Marcus frowned confused what do you mean the man smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes we know exactly why you did it but what we need to know is how far you're willing to go to make things right and just like that Marcus realized That this was no ordinary conversation there was something much bigger Happening Here something that he had no idea about and he was about to be drawn into it whether he wanted to be or not the man's next words
sent a shiver down Marcus's spine you see Marcus this isn't just about you this is about a system that needs to be destroyed and we need someone like you to help us do it Marcus stood in the dimly lit room his mind spinning from the sudden shift in the Conversation what was happening who were these people and why did they care about him he didn't know if he should be relieved or terrified he felt like a pawn in a game much larger than he could understand and the weight of the unknown pressed down on him
the man who had spoken before leaned forward again his cold eyes fixed on Marcus you've got a choice Marcus you can stay here rot in this cell and waste away or you can work with us help us tear down a system That's broken a system that's kept people like you in the dark for far too long Marcus's heart raced as the words settled in what did this mean the chance to do something about all the pain all the Injustice he had suffered and others like him had suffered it was tempting but was it real or
was this just another trap another game where people like him always lost he opened his mouth to respond but the man held up his hand before you say anything understand this We've been watching you for a long time Marcus we know you're angry we know you've been wronged but what you did in that courtroom was only the beginning of something much bigger we've been waiting for someone to rise up someone to make a real impact and you Marcus are that someone the words hung in the air and for a moment Marcus's mind raced as he
tried to make sense of it all he thought of his family his friends the people in his neighborhood who had been stuck in The same cycle of Injustice their lives crushed under the weight of a corrupt system could this really be the chance to change things the other man at the table who had remained silent until now leaned forward his face was shadowed but Marcus could feel the intensity of his gaze what we're offering you is more more than just Revenge this is bigger than personal payback this is about exposing the system we can't do
it without you we need someone on the Inside someone who understands what it's like to live under that system Marcus swallowed hard what do you want me to do the man's smile deepened but it wasn't kind we need you to become a part of something larger we need you to Infiltrate The System you'll be the one who exposes the corruption the racism the lies that Run Deep you'll be the one who brings it all down Marcus's breath caught in his throat it sounded impossible he had just been sentenced to 25 years in prison for a
crime he didn't commit and now they were asking him to risk everything for some sort of underground Mission it felt like too much to handle too overwhelming to take in why me Marcus asked trying to keep his voice steady why do you think I'm the one who can do this the man at the table chuckled Darkly you've already proven that you're not afraid to stand up you've already attacked the judge you have the courage to take risks and That's exactly what we need we're looking for someone who's willing to fight back no matter the cost
Marcus stood there in stunned silence his mind was still reeling and the weight of the decision pressing down on him felt suffocating it was like standing on the edge of a cliff with no idea what lay Beyond but deep down a part of him knew that he couldn't go back he couldn't just sit there and let the the world continue to turn letting others suffer The same fate he had he had to make a choice and this was it I'll do it Marcus finally said his voice quiet but firm the two men exchanged a look
and the one who had spoken before nodded a sense of satisfaction on his face good we knew you would the days that followed were a blur of confusion and intense secrecy the guards who had been watching Marcus seemed to have a different attitude toward him now almost as if they didn't know what to do with him he was no Longer just another prisoner he was now part of something much larger than himself his cell was still his home but it felt different now the walls which had once seemed cold and suffocating felt more like a
sanctuary the guards who passed by were instructed not to speak to him or look at him as if he was a ghost Marcus couldn't help but feel like a puppet being controlled by invisible strings every move he made every decision he took was being watched By someone someone who had a hand in shaping his future the man with the cold eyes the one who had spoken to him before came to see him again this time there was no hiding behind the Shadows the man was in full View and he looked even more imposing up close
we've got a job for you the man said his voice calm like he was giving Marcus an assignment for a school project there's a leak in the prison someone inside has been feeding information to the outside world And we need to know who it is we need you to find them Marcus blinked in surprise you want me to be a snitch the man shook his head no we want you to do the opposite we want you to find out who's working against us from within and eliminate them you're part of our team now you've got
a role to play and this is it it wasn't what Marcus had expected but then again nothing about this situation was what he had expected he had signed up for something bigger and Now now he was getting his first real task fine Marcus said swallowing his uncertainty how do I start we'll arrange a meeting with one of our inside contacts the man said they'll give you everything you need but remember trust no one everyone is a potential enemy everyone is trying to survive and you can't afford to make mistakes as the man turned to leave
Marcus felt a surge of unease his heart pounded in his chest as he realized just how deep this way was He had walked into something far darker than he had anticipated and there was no turning back now the door to his cell opened once again and the guard appeared his eyes cold and unreadable Marcus's heart skipped a beat this was it the moment when everything changed the cold air hit Marcus like a slap as he was pulled out of his cell the guard's hand was firm on his arm guiding Him Down The Long Dark hallways
every step felt heavy like the weight of the situ situation Was sinking deeper into his bones he had agreed to play his part in this shadowy Mission but now that it was real it was starting to feel more dangerous than ever he tried to steady his breathing the air was thick with tension and he had no idea where they were taking him he could feel his heart pounding each beat a reminder that his life as he had known it was changing beyond recognition there was no turning back now they reached the same steel door from
before The guard knocked twice and the door creaked open inside two men were waiting for him seated at a long Barren table the room was dimly lit the light flickering like an old film reel the man with the cold eyes who Marcus was starting to recognize as the leader of this operation sat at the table his hands steepled in front of him his expression unreadable you're here he said his voice smooth but carrying a weight that made Marcus feel small have You thought about what you're getting in to Marcus swallowed feeling a mix of fear
and determination I'm Ready the man at the table smiled slightly but it was a smile that didn't reach his eyes you'll need to be what we're asking of you is dangerous you'll need to trust no one but us Marcus we've been watching the prison for a while and there are people here you need to be cautious of not all the guards are on our side not all the prisoners either Marcus nodded He was starting to understand the kind of world he was stepping into the man continued your first job is to find the leak we
have reason to believe that someone inside is working against us giving information to people outside the prison if we don't stop them now everything will be ruined Marcus's gut Twisted with unease how do I find this person that's where you come in the man said a glint of something sharp in his eyes you've been in this prison for a While now you know the routine you know the players we need you to observe be discreet look for the Small Things the odd behaviors The Whispers the ones who seem too calm too confident when you find
the leak we handle the rest Marcus felt the gravity of the situation weighing down on him this wasn't just about Survival anymore this was about taking down a system pulling apart the layers of corruption and finding a way out but he couldn't shake the feeling That the deeper he got involved the more dangerous it would become still what choice did he have there was no turning back before he could ask any more questions the door opened again and a familiar face stepped into the room it was one of the guards but this one had a
strange look on his face almost like he was a messenger sent from somewhere far beyond Marcus's reach the guard didn't speak just nodded to the man at the table the leader's expression hardened And he stood up gesturing for Marcus to follow him your contact is ready the leader said his voice low and almost secretive the meeting's set for tonight you'll get all the details you need then Marcus followed the man out of the room his mind racing the guard who had led him out of the cell had disappeared into the shadows and now the corridor
was silent again they moved quickly as though every second counted as they neared a door at the end of the hallway The man stopped and turned to face Marcus remember he said his eyes narrowing trust no one but us the leak is dangerous if you're caught everything's over not just for you but for all of us Marcus nodded grimly he was beginning to understand the gravity of his situation it was no longer just about surviving his sentence it was about making sure that what was happening in this place didn't spread outside its walls the door
opened and Marcus stepped into a small dimly lit room it smelled of dust and old wood the air thick with the weight of Secrets a figure sat in the corner facing away from Marcus his silhouette barely visible in the low light for a moment Marcus felt his pulse Quicken who was this person what kind of game was being played the figure shifted and the dim light caught the edge of a scar running down the man's neck it was a scar that had clearly been earned through years of Hard living a mark of someone who had
been through a lot slowly the man turned to face face him his eyes sharp and calculating you must be Marcus the man said his voice Gruff but with an air of authority Marcus nodded yeah that's me you've got the info I need the man smiled grimly I've got more than that I've been in this place longer than you I know the patterns The Whispers the faces of the ones who are hiding something and right now I can tell you That there's a leak in the system but finding them won't be easy you'll have to get
close you'll have to trust no one not even the guards Marcus felt the weight of the words settle deep within him this was real this was happening his mission was starting now and the stakes were higher than he could have imagined the man slid a small folder across the table and Marcus opened it cautiously inside were pictures names and a list of potential suspects they were all faces Marcus had seen around the prison some of them guards some of them inmates but one name stood out to him Jared he had been Marcus's cellmate when he
first arrived at the prison the man had seemed harmless just another victim of the system but as Marcus studied the file he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Jared knew more than he was letting on the man in the corner leaned forward start with him Jared's been acting strange recently he might be the leak But don't trust him he's smart and he's dangerous he won't hesitate to throw you under the bus if it means protecting himself Marcus's fingers tightened around the file as he glanced at the photo again it was strange he had always thought
of Jared as an ally someone who could help him navigate The Madness of prison life but now everything had changed there was no room for friendships in this game everyone was a Suspect with a deep breath Marcus closed The folder and stood up I'll get to work the Man's eyes watched him carefully as if measuring his every move good luck Marcus you'll need it as Marcus turned to leave the room a voice from behind him called out don't get too close to Jared it could be your last mistake Marcus paused his heart pounding in his
chest he couldn't afford to make mistakes not now he had a job to do and he wasn't going to let anything or anyone stand in his way but as he walked Back down the dark hallway a thought nod at him what if Jared wasn't the leak what if someone was watching him waiting for him to make his move as Marcus stepped back into the corridor a familiar figure emerged from the shadows and his heart skipped to beat Jared and just like that the game had begun Marcus froze his breath catching in his throat standing just
a few feet away from him was Jared his old cellmate the last person he had expected to see at this Moment the darkness of the hallway seemed to deepen around them and Marcus's pulse quickened he had barely gotten any time to process the meeting with the mysterious man before this confrontation and now here was Jared appearing from the Shadows like he had been waiting for Marcus all along for a moment neither of them spoke Jared's eyes flicked to the folder Marcus held in his hand then back to his face a faint but knowing smile tugging
at the Corner of his lips I see they've got you working already Jared said his voice low but not unkind they didn't waste any time did they Marcus's mind raced what was Jared doing here was he the one they had warned him about was Jared the leak the words of the man in the dark room echoed in his mind trust no one but Marcus couldn't just jump to conclusions he had to play this carefully he tried to keep his voice steady hiding the confusion and anxiety that threatened to Overwhelm him I'm just doing what I
have to do he said his voice casual and you what are you doing here Jared Jared chuckled softly a sound that didn't quite reach his eyes I could ask you the same thing you don't strike me as the type to get involved in whatever's going on in the shadows of this place but here you are looking like a man on a mission Marcus's heart raced there was something about Jared's tone that felt too smooth too practiced was he trying to read Marcus or was he simply pretending to be casual to throw him off I could
say the same about you Marcus replied trying to keep his expression neutral you've been acting strange lately something on your mind Jared's gaze didn't waver and for a moment Marcus thought he saw something flicker in his eyes a hint of nervousness maybe but then it was gone replaced with the same calm unreadable expression that had always been Jared's mask I don't know what you mean Jared Said shrugging nonchalantly I'm just here doing my time like everyone else but you you've got a different look about you Marcus something's changed you've got that look in your eyes
the look of a man who's up to something Marcus swallowed hard the words hit closer to home than he wanted to admit Jared was right something had changed Marcus wasn't just trying to survive anymore he was trying to bring down the system he had agreed to be a part of Something bigger but now standing here in the hallway with Jared it felt more real than ever the stakes had been raised before Marcus could respond Jared took a step forward listen man he said his voice dropping to a whisper I've been in this place a long
time I know how things work around here if you're going to be part of whatever this is this little Rebellion or whatever you want to call it you need to watch your back there are Eyes everywhere Marcus narrowed his eyes Jared was acting like he knew exactly what was going on too much but how much of it was true was Jared trying to warn him or was he trying to throw him off confuse him make him second guess everything Jared took another step closer lowering his voice even further I've been watching you Marcus you're not
as invisible as you think you are they're keeping a close eye on you you're not the only one in this game Marcus's stomach Twisted what did he mean by that who else was involved was there someone else watching him you're not the only one who's trying to change things Jared said almost as if he had read Marcus's mind but if you want to make it out of here alive you need to be careful who you trust Marcus's breath caught in his chest the weight of Jared's words pressed down on him like a heavy hand on
his shoulder was he warning him or was he trying to pull him Into something deeper something darker Marcus didn't know who to trust anymore the man with the cold eyes had made it clear trust no one and now here was Jared telling him the same thing I'm just trying to do what's right Marcus said his voice steadier than he felt that's all I don't know what you're mixed up in but I'm not about to let this place destroy me Jared's eyes softened for just a moment I get it I do but you're playing with fire
Marcus just Make sure you're ready for the burn Marcus didn't respond he couldn't Jared's words echoed in his mind filling him with doubt what did it all mean was Jared really trying to help him or was he simply trying to pull Marcus into some dangerous web of lies and deceit before Marcus could say anything more Jared turned away and began to walk down the hallway he paused just long enough to glance back over his shoulder think about it he said his voice barely Audible we all have our part to play and with that Jared was
gone disappearing into the Shadows leaving Marcus standing there his mind spinning Marcus's thoughts were Whirlwind had he just made a mistake was Jared truly a part of the system he was trying to destroy or was he someone who had already given up on fighting for justice and was simply trying to survive he stood there for a moment trying to steady his breathing trying to make sense of it all the words Trust no one rang in his ears but could he really trust himself as Marcus turned to leave the echo of Jared's warning still ringing in
his mind a sudden unsettling feeling crawled up his spine someone was watching him the days that followed were filled with tension and uncertainty Marcus went through the motions trying to focus on his mission but it wasn't easy he couldn't shake the feeling that everything around him was slipping through his fingers every guard Every inmate every word and glance felt loaded with meaning he couldn't trust anyone still Marcus pressed on he knew that he couldn't back out now he had to find the leak but as he walked down the same hallway where he had met Jared
he noticed something strange a figure was standing near the corner watching him hidden in the shadows the person didn't move when Marcus glanced their way but he could feel their eyes on him cold and calculating his heart raced was it Jared Again or someone else Marcus's instincts told him to keep moving there was no time to stop no time to let himself be distracted but just as he took another step the figure stepped forward blocking his path Marcus a familiar voice said it was the man with the cold eyes time to move he said his
expression unreadable Marcus's pulse quickened what was going on now was it time for the next step in his mission or was he about to be pulled into something even darker Marcus's Stomach tightened as he stared at the man with the cold eyes the hallway seemed to shrink around them the air thick with something unseen but undeniably present he had been so focused on Jared on whether or not he was the leak that he hadn't considered the possibility of something even more dangerous lurking in the shadows time to move the man repeated his voice as steady
as ever as if they were simply changing locations for a casual Conversation but Marcus knew better nothing in this prison was casual where are we going Marcus asked his voice low the man didn't answer right away instead he gestured with a small tilt of his head signaling Marcus to follow the moment felt surreal like stepping into a tunnel with no end in sight but Marcus had come too far to back down now with one last glance over his shoulder making sure no one else was watching Marcus followed the hallway stretched on longer Than Marcus remembered
the flickering overhead lights casting Eerie Shadows along the walls every step felt like a countdown to something he wasn't prepared for eventually they reached an old rusted door at the far end of the corridor it was different from the other doors in the prison hidden almost forgotten as if it hadn't been used in years the man pressed his palm against the metal and after a second the door creaked open Marcus hesitated the weight Of the unknown pressing down on him then the man stepped inside without thinking Marcus followed the room was dimly lit smaller than
Marcus expected and smelled of old paper and damp concrete inside a large wooden table sat in the middle covered with scattered documents maps and handwritten notes several people were already seated around it some Marcus recognized prisoners he had seen before men who had been here longer than him others were strangers their faces Unreadable their expressions sharp the tension in the room was thick the kind of Silence that only came before something big Marcus had just walked into something much larger than he had anticipated sit the man with the cold eyes instructed pointing to an empty
chair at the table Marcus hesitated then slowly lowered himself into the chair one of the men across from him a middle-aged prisoner with graying hair and deep scars on his knuckles spoke First so you're the one they chose Marcus felt the weight of everyone's Gaze on him he had no idea what they were expecting from him but he wasn't about to show hesitation guess so Marcus said simply the man nodded then letun not waste time you need to know what you're getting into he reached across the table and slid a folder toward Marcus inside were
documents lists of names guards inmates even officials outside the prison but one thing stood Out above everything else a single sheet of paper with one name circled in red Jared Marcus's breath hitched the scarred man leaned forward his fingers tapping against the table we've been tracking him for a while now he's not just the leak he's working with the people running this place he's feeding them information about us Marcus clenched his fists he had suspected Jared but hearing it confirmed hit differently the thought of his former Cellmate someone he had once trusted being the very
person keeping the system alive made his stomach turn he's more dangerous than you think the scarred man continued we believe he's already given them Intel on some of us that means they know something is going on that means we don't have much time the air in the room felt heavier now Marcus swallowed hard so what happens next the man with the cold eyes finally spoke again we eliminate the threat Marcus's body Stiffened eliminate the scarred man's expression darkened this isn't just about exposing the system anymore Marcus This Is War if we let Jared keep feeding
them information we all go down every single one of us Marcus glanced at the red circled name again his heart pounding in his chest he had thought he was just going to expose a leak but now they were talking about something more something final he had spent his life trying to avoid becoming the very thing The system accused him of being but now sitting here staring at Jared's name he felt the weight of something else a choice did he want to fight the system yes did he want to kill him man to do it Marcus
wasn't sure we need to move tonight the scar man continued before Jared gets another chance to talk Marcus felt his pulse Quicken how do you know he hasn't already the room went silent for a moment then the man with the cold eyes smirked we don't Marcus's blood ran Cold then the door burst open a guard stood in the doorway his face tense Jared just disappeared from his cell the room erupted in chaos Marcus shot up from his seat what the guard nodded he's gone just vanished no sign of him no one knows where he is
Marcus's mind raced Jared must have known he must have figured out that they were on to him that meant only one thing Jared wasn't running Jared was hunting them before anyone could react a deafening alarm Blared through the prison drowning out every sound in the room then the Lights Went Out the prison was in lockdown and Jared was loose the moment the lights went out the room plunged into chaos a deafening alarm blared overhead the kind that signaled something worse than a prison fight or a simple escape attempt this was a full-blown emergency Red emergency
lights flickered weakly along the walls casting Eerie Shadows over the group Marcus's mind raced Jared was Loose the man with the cold eyes turned sharply toward the guard who had delivered the news how the hell did he just disappear the guard still catching his breath shook his head I don't know one second he was in his cell next second he was gone no sign of a struggle no broken locks it's like someone let him out Marcus's stomach Twisted someone had let him out and that someone wasn't one of them the scarred man slammed his fist
against the table his teeth Clenched damn it if he's out that means we're all Targets now the man with the cold eyes nodded grimly it also means heun not running HEK coming for us the words sent a chill down Marcus's spine the group moved quickly there was no time to waste if Jared was out and knew they were on to him they had only minutes before things got worse Marcus clenched his fists so what's the plan we can't just sit here and wait for him to come to us the man with the cold eyes Smirked
slightly you're right we're not waiting he gestured toward the door we move now get to higher ground somewhere we can see everything the lockdown will bring more guards but Jared's not afraid of them he's already got someone helping him that means this is an inside job the scarred man grabbed a knife from beneath the table and tucked it into his sleeve others in the room followed suit arming themselves with whatever they had makeshift Shanks sharpened pieces of Metal anything that could be used as a weapon Marcus had nothing but something told him that before the
night was over he was going to need one the group moved swiftly through the darkened corridors the distant shouts of guards echoing through the prison flashlights flickered in the distance beams cutting through the darkness every step felt like a trap waiting to be sprung then just as they reached the stairwell leading up to the observation decks a voice rang out going Somewhere Marcus froze it was Jared the group turned as one their bodies tined for a fight Jared stood at the end of the hall partially illuminated by the flashing emergency lights his usual easygoing expression
was gone his eyes were sharp calculating and he wasn't alone beside him stood three men two prisoners and one guard all of them armed all of them ready Jared smiled you've been busy Marcus guess I should have known you'd end up mixed in with Them Marcus took a step forward his muscles tight with t you set us up Jared tilted his head slightly did I or did you just walk into something you don't understand the scarred man beside Marcus growled under his breath we understand just fine Traer Jared smirked oh do you you think this
is about me snitching you think I'm the only one feeding information Marcus's breath caught Jared shook his head slowly you're playing checkers but this Is a chess game my friend and I've been 10 moves ahead since the moment you stepped into this prison the words sent a cold shiver down Marcus's spine Jared continued you're not the ones hunting me I've been hunting you and now it's time to end this little game then without warning he moved it happened fast too fast Jared lunged forward a blade flashing in his hand the scar man reacted just in
time dodging the first swipe but the second man in their group Wasn't as lucky Jared's blade found its Mark The Prisoner beside Marcus gasped stumbling backward as Blood Stained his jumpsuit he collapsed against the wall his breathing ragged chaos exploded the hallway erupted in a flurry of movement shouts punches the sound of metal against flesh Marcus ducked as a guard swung at him barely missing his head he slammed his elbow into the man's ribs knocking him back another prisoner came at him from the side But Marcus pivoted using the momentum to throw the man against
the wall the scar man was locked in a brutal fight with Jared their weapons clashing violently Jared was fast too fast but the scar man was Stronger Every blow he landed fueled by years of hardened survival Marcus's heart pounded he needed to do something then out of the corner of his eye he saw it Jared reaching for something at his waist a gun Marcus did think he moved with everything in him he lunged at Jared tackling him to the ground just as the gun fired the shot rang out deafening in the narrow Corridor for a
moment everything stopped then Jared groaned beneath Marcus the gun skidding across the floor Marcus didn't give him a chance to recover he slammed his fist into Jared's jaw then grabbed the weapon before he could reach for it again panting Marcus pressed the gun against Jared's chest the hallway was silent Jared looked up at him blood trickling From his mouth but he was still smiling well look at you didn't think you had it in you Marcus Marcus's hand shook do it Jared whispered finish it Marcus's breath was ragged every fiber of his being told him to
end it to stop Jared from ever hurting anyone else to stop the leak once and for all but something deep inside held him back he wasn't a killer he wasn't them slowly Marcus Stood Still Holding the gun but lowering it Jared chuckled wiping blood from his Lip see that's the difference between you and me Marcus you hesitate Marcus clenched his jaw and that's the difference between you and me I'm not a monster the man with the cold eyes stepped forward his expression unreadable you should have pulled the trigger Marcus swallowed hard then the distant sound
of boots thundered through the prison guards they were coming Jared laughed well boys looks like we're out of time Marcus turned to the others we Need to go now the man with the cold eyes nodded agreed without another word they turned and ran behind them Jared sat up still smirking as the sound of approaching guards grew louder he called after them this isn't over Marcus his voice was almost amused not not even close the group ran footsteps pounded against the cold concrete floor their breathing heavy their muscles burning the sound of approaching guards roared behind
them and Marcus knew they had Only seconds before the whole prison would be swarming they darted down the nearest hallway turning sharp Corners their minds working faster than their feet we can't outrun them for long Marcus hissed as they skitted to a stop near an old rusted maintenance door the scar man growled shoving against the handle damn it locked the man with the cold eyes cursed under his breath then we fight Marcus's heart slammed against his ribs are you insane there are too Many we need a plan the guards voices grew louder they were closing
in then suddenly bang the wall beside them exploded in dust and crumbling concrete as a bullet tore through Marcus flinched pressing against the wall they're shooting since when du prison guards opened fire inside the facility the scar man's face was Grim they're not just guards Marcus's stomach Twisted then who the hell are they before he could process it the man with the cold eyes Grabbed his shoulder no time for questions we're making a stand then just as the first group of guards turned the corner the scarred man lunged chaos erupted the hallway exploded into movement
as Fists blades and Desperation collided in a brutal dance Marcus barely had time to react before a guard grabbed him shoving him against the wall his instincts kicked in he twisted elbowing the man in the ribs before slamming his knee into his stomach the guard doubled Over but another took his place swinging a Batten toward Marcus's head Marcus stuck just in time adrenaline pumped through his veins he wasn't just fighting for himself he was fighting for all of them the scarred Man fought like a machine slashing through the guards with precise practiced movements the man
with the cold eyes was just as dangerous quick calculating striking with deadly efficiency but there were too many a guard tackled Marcus from behind sending Them both crashing to the floor Marcus grunted as his face scraped against the concrete pain flashing through his body the guard pressed a knee into his back pinning him down you're dumb Marcus struggled trying to twist free the guards grip tightened then a loud crack the weight suddenly disappeared Marcus gasped flipping onto his back just in time to see the scarred man standing over him a stolen baton in hand the
guard lay unconscious beside him no Time for naps the scarred man grunted hauling Marcus to his feet Marcus's head spawn but he forced himself to focus we have to more guards were coming there was no way they were going to win this fight the man with the cold eyes must have realized it too because he suddenly grabbed Marcus's arm and yanked him toward a nearby air vent and there now Marcus didn't hesitate he scrambled into the tight space the metal groaning under his weight the others followed dragging Themselves into the narrow crawl space just as
the guards stormed into the hallway where the hell did they go we lost them search every damn inch of this place Marcus held his breath as flashlights swept the area outside the vent the metal was thin one wrong move and the guards would hear them second stretched into eternity then finally the guards moved on Marcus exhaled shakily the scarred man let out a quiet chuckle well that was fun Marcus shot him a Glare you call that fun the man with the cold eyes ignored them both we need to keep moving we're not safe yet Marcus
wiped sweat from his forehead where are we even going the scarred man glanced at the cold-eyed man you never told him did you told me what Marcus asked his patient wearing thin the man with the cold eyes hesitated for the first time then finally he spoke we're not just escaping this prison Marcus frowned then what the hell are we doing the man's Gaze was steady we burning it down Marcus's breath CAU thought what the scar man smirked you heard him we're not just sneaking out the back door we're tearing this place apart for good Marcus's
mind reeled he had thought they were just trying to expose the corruption inside he had thought they were looking for justice but this this was war his voice was horar when he finally spoke how the man with the cold eyes glanced down the vent tunnel we've Already set the pieces in place Contraband explosives hidden in different parts of the prison people on the inside ready to Riot the system is already cracked Marcus we just have to shatter it Marcus's heart pounded this wasn't just a rebellion this was the end of blackid prison and he was
now part of it a heavy silence hung between them then the scarred man nudged Marcus with his elbow you in or not Marcus exhaled sharply he had spent so much time Feeling powerless feeling like nothing he did did would ever matter but this this was something something that could change everything he looked the man with the cold eyes dead in the face I'm in the man nodded good then from behind them a noise a soft Shuffle Marcus tined then a voice echoed through the vent funny The Voice drawed Marcus froze no no it wasn't possible
slowly he turned his head toward the darkness behind them a figure crouched in the shadows of the Vent barely visible Jared his face was twisted into something between amusement and Menace his eyes glowing in the dim light you really thought you could lose me Jared grinned Marcus's blood ran cold Jared had followed them and worse he had heard everything then Jared lunged the vent shook Marcus barely had time to react before Jared grabbed him his fingers locking around his throat the world spawned metal groaned then with a deafening crack the vent collapsed Marcus and Jared
fell they plummeted downward deeper into the prison into the unknown and in the distance the alarms kept screaming the world blurred Marcus and Jared tumbled through the collapsing vent shaft metal panels screeching as they tore loose Marcus felt his body slam into the walls pain exploding through his ribs his ears rang with the deafening Roar of twisting steel then thud they hit the ground the impact knocked the wind from Marcus's lungs his Vision swam as pain shot through his limbs he coughed struggling to push himself up Jared groaned beside him rolling onto his back for
a moment neither of them moved then Jared chuckled low and rough well he rasped that was fun Marcus gritted his teeth forcing himself to his feet the room they had fallen into to was dark and damp the air thick with the scent of mold and rust dim emergency lights flickered along the ceiling barely Illuminating their surroundings they had landed in a lower section of the prison somewhere underground Jared sat up slowly wiping blood from his mouth his eyes gleamed with something unreadable guess we're stuck down here together Marcus clenched his fists shut up Jared smirked
or what Marcus took a step forward fists tight at his sides you set us up you sold us out Jared smirk didn't waver and yet here we are Marcus glared at him his entire body was screaming for Him to fight to finish this but deep down he knew Jared was still dangerous even injured he was unpredictable Jared stretched his neck wincing slightly you know Marcus I have to give you credit you lasted longer than I thought you would Marcus Ned his eyes what are you talking about Jared leaned against the wall grinning I told you
this was bigger than you you think blowing up a prison is going to change anything Marcus tined Jared's smile faded slightly you really Don't get it do you Marcus remained silent his mind racing Jared exhaled shaking his head this place is meant to break people like you like all of us and if you think taking it down will fix anything you're Dumber than I thought Marcus took a slow breath at least I'm trying Jared chuckled trying to do what prove your some kind of hero news flash Marcus you don't get to win this game the
system's bigger than you it's everywhere you might bring down one Building but the machine keeps running Marcus's jaw tightened you're wrong Jared arched an eyebrow am I Marcus didn't answer he couldn't because somewhere deep inside a part of him was afraid Jared was right Jared side standing up slowly but hey if you really want to Die Trying who am I to stop you Marcus frowned what does that mean Jared dusted himself off glancing around the room it means you're running out of time then from above voices Marcus's chest Tightened guards they were searching Jared smirked
well Marcus looks like this is where we part ways before Marcus could react Jared moved he lunged toward the far side of the room where an old maintenance tunnel stretched Into Darkness Marcus started after him Jared wait but Jared was fast too fast by the time Marcus reached the tunnel Jared was gone and then flashlights Marcus spun his heart hammering guards they had found him there he is Marcus ran his Legs burned as he sprinted through the underground corridors his breath ragged the walls around him were old crumbling covered in rusted pipes and peeling paint
the sound of boots thundered behind him he turned a corner a dead end Marcus cursed under his breath searching for another way out then his eyes landed on a rusted hatch in the floor no time to think Marcus dropped to his knees yanked the hatch open and slipped inside just as the guards rounded the corner Dark Ness swallowed him whole Marcus fell for what felt like forever before crashing into a pool of shallow murky water he surfaced coughing and gasping his body aching from the impact the room was massive an old underground reservoir forgotten beneath
the prison faint light filtered and through vents high above casting Eerie Shadows on the water Marcus dragged himself onto a concrete ledge his body shivering from the cold he needed to think Jared was loose the Guards were everywhere and the Clock Was ticking somewhere above him his allies were preparing to blow up blackid prison and here he was alone in the dark soaking wet Running Out of Time Marcus clenched his fists he had come too far to stop now he had to find a way back up he had to finish what they started but then
a sound a soft distant drip Marcus's breath hitched someone was in the reservoir with him he wasn't alone then a voice low quiet almost amused you Really don't know when to quit do you Marcus froze Jared Marcus turned slowly his muscles tensed Jared stood on the opposite ledge his silhouette barely visible in the dim light his knife gleamed in his hand Marcus exhaled sharply this again Jared smirked you had your chance Marcus should have finished me when you had the gun Marcus's heart pounded I'm not like you Jared tilted his head yeah that's the problem
then he moved Jared leaped across the water Knife flashing toward Marcus's throat Marcus barely dodged in time stumbling backward as the blade sliced through the air Jared lunged again Marcus caught his wrist twisting it sharply the knife clattered to the ground Jared grunted kneeing Marcus in the ribs pain exploded through Marcus's side he staggered but didn't fall not this time not again Jared smirked you're getting better Marcus exhaled his breath shaky you should have stayed gone Jared chuckled And missed the grand finale Marcus clenched his fists what are you talking about Jared's grin widened then
from above a rumble Marcus's stomach dropped Jared whispered almost gleefully it started stting Marcus's pulse thundered no it was too soon the explosives the prison everything was about to blow Jared backed away his grin widening better run Marcus then boom the ground shook the walls cracked Marcus stumbled his heart pounding in his chest above Them blackid prison was collapsing and they were trapped underneath it Marcus's breath came fast no way out no more time then Jared laughed low and dark well Marcus he said looks like we both go down with the ship the ceiling collapsed
and everything went black darkness swallowed everything the explosion had torn through Black Ridge Like An Earthquake sending massive chunks of debris crashing down Marcus barely had time to react before the ceiling caved In burying everything in dust and Chaos the impact knocked the air from his lungs he felt himself tumbling rolling over Jagged concrete and rusted metal pain exploding through his body then silence Marcus gasped for breath his chest tight with dust and debris his ears rang drowning out every other sound he tried to move but his limbs were sluggish heavy something was pinning him
down a slab of broken concrete pressing against his side for a moment Panic said In I'm trapped but then he heard it a cough a a groan Jared Marcus forced his head to turn a few feet away Jared lay half buried under Rubble his face bloodied his arm Twisted at an unnatural angle he was barely conscious but his chest was still rising and falling Marcus clenched his jaw we should both be dead the prison above them was crumbling explosions echoed in the distance sending more Tremors through the underground ruins the air was thick With smoke
and dust making it hard to breathe Marcus pressed his palms against the cold concrete beneath him pushing with everything he had pain flared through his ribs but he moved slowly painfully he shifted his body until he was able to free himself from the rubble he sucked in a breath Jared groaned again his head Laing to the side Marcus stared at him he could leave him he should leave him Jared had betrayed them all he had sold them out fed information To the prison higher-ups and played the game for himself he had nearly killed Marcus more
than once but as much as Marcus wanted to walk away something inside him wouldn't let him because if he left Jared here buried under the wreckage then he wasn't any different from the system they were trying to destroy Marcus gritted his teeth damn it he muttered then he moved he crawled toward Jared ignoring the pain screaming through his body he grabbed the largest Chunk of concrete pinning Jared's legs and heaved his muscles burned his vision blurred but the rock shifted Jared let out a sharp breath as his body was freed Marcus slumped against the wall
exhausted his hands were shaking Jared's eyelids fluttered then weakly why Marcus exhaled his chest tight I don't know Jared coughed his body trembling you should have left me Marcus swallowed hard Maybe another explosion rocked the ground above them more dust rained down From the ceiling they were running out of time Marcus forced himself to his feet he reached down and grabbed Jared's good arm pulling him up with him Jared groaned but didn't resist we have to move Marcus said Jared chuckled weakly you're insane Marcus ignored him he turned scanning the area they were in some
kind of underground tunnel system maybe old water storage rooms or abandoned Escape tunnel there had to be a way out then he saw it A faint glimmer of light a few hundred ft away past collapsed walls and crumbling pillars a small opening LED upward an exit Marcus didn't think he just moved dragging Jered with him he staggered toward the light his legs barely holding him up every step sent pain shooting through his body but he kept going behind them the prison above continued to collapse they reached the exit it was a small rusted metal grate
barely big enough to squeeze through Marcus dropped Jared beside it his breath coming in ragged gasps Jared blinked at him you actually he coughed think we'll make it Marcus ignored him he reached up gripping the grate and pulled the metal groaned but didn't buch Marcus cursed under his breath Jared chuckled weakly looks like Weir Marcus kicked the great with everything he had once twice cracked the Rusted bolts snapped the great fell away Marcus stared at the opening then he turned to Jared come on Jared hesitated his face was unreadable Marcus clenched his jaw I didn't
save your life just for you to sit here and die Jared exhaled slowly then with effort he dragged himself toward the exit one by one they climbed through the moment Marcus's body hid open air he gasped they had emerged outside the Prison Walls smoke billowed in the distance fires burned across the prison yard the entire facility was in Ruins alarms wailed guards were running Everywhere trying to contain riots and stop escaping prisoners and above all of it the night sky stretched endless and free Marcus had never seen anything so beautiful Jared lying beside him let
out a dry laugh you actually did it Marcus stared at the destruction before him they had one but at what cost then a voice Marcus Marcus turned sharply the man with the cold eyes and the scarred man were running toward them they were covered in dust and blood but they were Alive the scarred man smirked you made it Marcus nodded breathless the man with the cold eyes scanned Jared why is he still breathing Jared smirked weakly tried to kill me but your Golden Boy here wouldn't let it happen the scard man growled should have let
him rot Marcus looked between them we don't have time for this we need to go the man with the cold eyes nodded agreed then he turned pointing toward the far end of the prison yard there's a way out Through the tunnels we have people waiting we disappear tonight Marcus exhaled he nodded then gunfire Marcus spun guards were closing in no more talking the scar man snapped we run and they did they sprinted across the burning ruins of Blackridge past Broken Walls past Fallen Towers past the wreckage of everything that had tried to break them and
then they reached the tunnels one by one they vanished into the darkness and when Marcus looked back One last time Blackridge prison was falling collapsing into the Earth crushed under the weight of everything it had done Marcus took a shaky breath then he stepped into the tunnels leaving it all behind and for the first time in a long time he was free the tunnel stretched Into Darkness Marcus ran his breath ragged his legs heavy with exhaustion every muscle in his body screamed at him to stop but he couldn't not yet not until they were truly
out The others were ahead there Shadows barely visible in the dim emergency lights lining the underground passage the man with the cold eyes led the way moving with calculated urgency while the scard man covered the rear his weapon drawn ready for anything Jared was beside Marcus limping but keeping Pace neither of them spoke not after everything the tunnel walls trembled as another explosion roared from above the last remnants of Black Ridge were coming Down Marcus forced himself forward ignoring the way his lungs burned then a faint light appeared in the distance the exit Freedom the
man with the cold eyes reached it first slipping through the narrow Gap in the metal barricade that led to the open world the scarred man followed then Jared Marcus hesitated for half a second just long enough to glance back Blackridge prison once a fortress of chains and concrete was collapsing into fire and ruin the place that had Swallowed him whole that had tried to break him was gone and for the first time in his life he won Marcus turned and ran the last few steps then he was out the night air was cold colder than
Marcus had expected he sucked in a deep breath tasting freedom on his tongue he could feel it in his bones in his soul they had made it they were standing in an abandoned industrial site far from the main prison grounds beyond the crumbling buildings the dark silhouette Of a forest stretched for Miles the distant hum of sirens filled the air but they were too far for the guards to find them now the man with the cold eyes turned to the group we don't have long there's a van waiting past the tree line once we get
in we disappear the scar man nodded letun move they started walking Marcus kept pace his mind reeling Jared walked beside him his expression unreadable you going to kill me now Jared murmured Marcus didn't answer Jared smirked no thought so Marcus clenched his fists but kept walking Jared had lost everything his power his allies his control over the game he had no one left and yet somehow Marcus knew Jared would survive people like him always did but that didn't matter anymore because Marcus was done with this place they reached the tree line just as promised a
black van was waiting for them its engine humming softly a driver sat behind the wheel nodding once As they approached approached the man with the cold eyes opened the back doors get in one by one they climbed inside Marcus hesitated at the edge of the forest staring back at the distant glow of burning wreckage then with a deep breath he stepped forward the doors shut behind him the van rumbled to life and as they drove into the night away from the ruins of Blackridge prison Marcus closed his eyes he didn't know what came next didn't
know where they would go Didn't know if they would ever stop running but for now he was free and that was enough