Chapter One Hundred

Chapter 100

The tunnels stretched endlessly, each twist and turn echoing with the sound of hurried footsteps. The faint scent of oil and damp concrete clung to the air. Jemima, supported by Jay, felt every muscle in her body ache, the weight of her internal battle with Jemma left her drained.
The group trudged forward in tense silence, the recent fight still fresh in their minds. Alan led the way, his hand gripping a flashlight he'd scavenged from the maintenance room.
"We're almost at the exit," he muttered, glancing over his shoulder.
"Define 'almost,'" Marcus snapped, his tone sharper than usual. His frustration with their constant running was palpable.
Jay shot him a warning look. "Keep it together, Marcus. We're all on edge."
Marcus didn't respond, his jaw tightening as he scanned their surroundings. Behind him, Vanessa kept close to Dimitri, her arm looped firmly around his waist to support him.
"Can you manage?" she asked softly, glancing up at him.
"I'm fine," Dimitri grumbled, though his pale complexion and labored breathing betrayed him.
The group fell into an uneasy rhythm, their footsteps the only sound as they pressed forward. But Jemima couldn't ignore the gnawing presence in the back of her mind. Jemma was still there, quiet for now, but her influence lingered like a shadow.
"You can't keep me locked away forever," Jemma's voice whispered.
Jemima's grip tightened on Jay's arm. He glanced at her, concern flickering in his eyes.
"You with me?" he asked quietly.
She nodded, though her lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm here," she said, the words feeling hollow even as she spoke them.
Before anyone could respond, the faint sound of approaching footsteps echoed from behind.
"Shit," Marcus hissed, holding up a hand to signal the group to stop.
Alan cursed under his breath. "They must've tracked us."
"We need to move faster," Vanessa said, her voice tense.
"No," Marcus said firmly, his eyes narrowing. "We make a stand here. If they catch up to us in the open, we're done for."
Jay hesitated, glancing at Jemima. "Can you handle this?"
"I'll manage," she said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.
"Fine," Marcus said, already positioning himself near a corner to take cover. "Alan, Vanessa, stay with Dimitri. Jay, Jemima—cover the other side."
The group scrambled into position, their weapons ready. The tension was suffocating as the footsteps grew louder.
"Wait for my signal," Marcus whispered, his eyes fixed on the dimly lit tunnel ahead.
But before the enemy could appear, a familiar voice rang out.
"Hold your fire!"
The group froze, their weapons still raised as Ava emerged from the shadows. She was out of breath, her face flushed from exertion, but her presence brought an immediate wave of relief.
"Ava?" Marcus said, his tone a mix of surprise and suspicion.
"Thank God I found you," Ava said, her hands raised in a gesture of peace. "The kids are safe—they're on a plane out of the country."
Jay stepped forward cautiously. "How did you find us?"
"I intercepted one of Jon's men," Ava explained quickly. "He wasn't expecting me. After... well, let's just say he gave me enough information to figure out where you were heading."
Jemima's eyes narrowed. "And you're sure no one followed you?"
"I'm sure," Ava said firmly. "But we don't have much time. Jon's reinforcements are closing in from the south. We need to move now."
Marcus lowered his weapon, his expression softening. "It's good to see you."
Ava offered a faint smile. "Let's save the reunion for later. Where's the exit?"
Alan stepped forward, his flashlight casting long shadows across the tunnel walls. "This way. It's not far now."
“What is he doing here?” Ava asked, venom laced in her tone. She aimed her gun at him while Alan raised his hands in the air, signaling no harm.
“Relax Ava, he’s with us. Let’s get going,” Marcus’s tone was final.
“But…” she protested, her gaze shifting from Marcus to Jay before finally resting upon Jemima.
“It’s a long story, Ava, let’s just go. I’ll fill you in on our way,” Jemima offered, turning to follow the others.
The group moved quickly, Ava seamlessly falling into step with them. Jemima couldn't help but notice the tension in her sister's posture, the way her hand hovered near the weapon at her side.
"You didn't have to come back," Jemima said quietly as they walked.
Ava glanced at her, her expression unreadable. "Yes, I did."
Jemima didn't press further, but her chest tightened with a mix of gratitude and guilt.
The tunnel eventually opened into a wide, empty storage room. The air was colder here, the faint sound of water lapping against concrete walls suggesting they were near the docks.
"This is it," Alan said, pointing toward a heavy metal door on the far side of the room. "That leads to the surface."
Marcus moved toward the door, but Ava grabbed his arm.
"Wait," she said, her voice low. "If Jon's men are already outside, we'll be walking into a trap."
Marcus frowned. "We don't have much choice."
"We do," Ava countered, her eyes narrowing. "Let me go first. I can draw their attention while you slip out another way."
"No," Marcus said immediately. "We're not splitting up again."
"She's right," Vanessa interjected. "If we all go out at once, we're sitting ducks."
Jay looked at Jemima, his expression conflicted. "What do you think?"
Jemima hesitated, her gaze shifting to Ava. "Let me go instead.”
“What! No!” Jay’s voice was the loudest among all other protests.
“Ava, you have a lot to lose. Your kids, your husband, what happens to them if something happens to you? Jemima choked back the last words.
“I’ll do it,” Alan’s voice was clear, heads turning to face him.
“As much as I love that idea, we can’t risk Jon seeing you because he’s manipulative and might get to you,” Marcus explained, causing an exasperated sigh to escape from his lip.
“Let me do this Jem,” Ava pleaded, cupping Jemima’s face in her hands.
Reluctantly, Jemima asked, “You're sure about this?"
Ava nodded. "I'll be fine. Just be ready to move when the time comes."
Reluctantly, Marcus stepped aside, allowing Ava to approach the door. She drew her weapon, her movements precise and confident.
"Give me five minutes," she said. "If I'm not back by then, you know what to do."
Jemima reached out, grabbing her sister's arm. "Be careful."
Ava offered a faint smile. "Always."
With that, she slipped through the door, leaving the group in tense silence.
The minutes dragged on, each second feeling like an eternity. Jemima paced restlessly, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
"She'll be fine," Jay said, his voice steady but not entirely convincing.
Before Jemima could respond, the sound of gunfire erupted from outside.
"Move!" Marcus shouted, motioning for the group to follow Alan toward a side passage.
They moved quickly, the echoes of the fight growing louder as they approached the exit. Jemima's heart pounded, her grip on her weapon tightening.
When they emerged into the open, the scene was chaos. Ava was pinned behind a stack of crates, her gun blazing as she fought off a group of Jon's men.
"Cover her!" Marcus shouted, firing a shot toward the nearest enemy.
The group sprang into action, their coordinated attack catching Jon's men off guard. Jay stayed close to Jemima, his focus split between protecting her and taking down their attackers.
Ava moved with precision, her movements almost surgical as she took out one enemy after another. But even she couldn't avoid the inevitable.
A sharp cry escaped her lips as a bullet grazed her shoulder, causing her to stumble.
"Ava!" Jemima shouted, breaking cover to reach her sister.
"Stay back!" Ava yelled, her voice strained.
But Jemima didn't listen. She fired a shot at the man nearest Ava, her aim true despite the chaos around her.
Jay was at her side in an instant, his expression fierce. "You're going to get yourself killed!"
"I'm not leaving her!" Jemima snapped, her voice shaking with determination.
Together, they fought their way to Ava, shielding her as she regained her footing.
"I told you to stay back," Ava said, her voice laced with pain.
"And I told you I'm not leaving you," Jemima retorted.
With the group reunited, the tide of the battle shifted. One by one, Jon's men fell, their numbers dwindling until the docks fell silent.
The group stood amidst the wreckage, their breaths heavy and their bodies bruised but alive.
Marcus turned to Ava, his expression a mix of relief and frustration. "You're reckless, you know that?"
Ava smirked, wincing as she clutched her injured shoulder. "Runs in the family."
Jemima let out a shaky laugh, the tension in her chest finally easing.
But as they regrouped, a familiar voice echoed across the docks, freezing them in place.
"Well, well," Jon Ross said, stepping out of the shadows. "Looks like I underestimated you."
The group turned to face him, their weapons raised. But Jon wasn't alone. A line of reinforcements emerged behind him, their guns trained on the group.
Jemima's heart sank as Jon's gaze locked onto her, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
"Shall we finish this?" he said, his tone dripping with malice.