Witch

Raina heard a voice deep inside saying this had to be from her mom. But she didn’t really want to believe it — those scratches, those finger marks, just looking at them gave her chills. And whoever left them behind... God only knows what kind of pain and torture they went through.

“Hey, there’s another door over here!” someone shouted, almost losing their mind with excitement.

As soon as they heard that, everyone’s eyes snapped to the new door.

This one was just simply locked from the inside — no fancy codes or tricks. They just grabbed the handle and pushed, and it swung open easily.

Behind the door was a hallway, not too narrow, with lights on the walls. looks like it led outside.

“There really is a way out! We don’t have to die here!”

“Let’s go, let’s check it out!”

But behind them was still a blazing fire. If the flames spread fast, this spot wouldn’t be safe either. Better get out first.

So everyone headed down the hallway, and Raina stayed back to cover them. Of course, Leif stayed back with her.

After everyone had gone in, Raina glanced one last time at the writing on the wall, then turned and said, “Let’s go, Mr. Vexley.”

“Okay,” he said.

They walked down the hall together, and Leif closed the door behind them.

After about seven or eight minutes, faint light started to appear up ahead. The person in front suddenly yelled, “We made it! We’re really out! There’s light up ahead — we’re free, hahaha!”

He laughed so loudly that he started coughing, but didn’t slow down. Even though he was wiped out, he somehow found the strength to run faster.

Raina saw the light too, and after a few more minutes, they stepped into a big natural cave. It was pretty hidden out in the suburbs, so no one had ever found it. Someone from the lab had dug a secret tunnel to get here.

Outside the cave, the sun was already up, shining like normal.

They’d just escaped death, and now totally drained, everyone just collapsed on the ground, their faces pale.

Mr. Shaw finally had a moment to wipe the dirt and sweat from his hair — at least he looked a little more composed, even though the dust on his face wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The lab was still not far away. The fire was still raging, smoke billowing.

Raina leaned against a big tree, arms crossed, staring at the lab.

That place was her mother’s life’s work — but in the end, it was destroyed.

Lost in thought, she suddenly heard a car engine roaring nearby. Everyone sitting on the ground snapped to attention, panic spreading as they huddled together.

“No way, is that Mireille coming back with people?!”

“We barely made it out alive, and she’s still going after us?”

Leif said, “No.”

Then he looked at Raina and added, “My people. This place is way too remote — regular cars wouldn’t come here. I called for backup to pick everyone up. No problem, right?”

He sounded calm, but there was definitely a bit of a ‘See how thoughtful I am?’ vibe going on.

Raina raised an eyebrow at him. “If you’re that thoughtful, Mr. Vexley, then yeah, no problem.”

He nodded, “Good.”

Hearing that, everyone relaxed again and slumped back down. As long as it wasn’t Mireille’s people, they were fine.

Soon, a few black SUVs rolled up. The cars stopped, people jumped out, and everyone was loaded inside.

Rael finished giving orders to his team and quickly walked over to Leif. The moment he got close, he grabbed Vexley and checked him over several times, making sure he was okay before finally calming down.

Then his gaze shifted to Raina, and he snapped, clearly pissed, “Raina, you’re really something. I just looked away for a second and Mr. Vexley almost got hurt.”

That was basically him blaming her. “You damn witch, dragging our brilliant Mr. Vexley into danger like that. You’re heartless and crazy!”

Raina couldn’t argue. Leif really had gotten caught up in it all. They’d barely escaped with their lives, so a few complaints didn’t bother her.

She brushed it off, but Leif shot a glance at Rael and said flatly, “Still want to go on that business trip?”

Rael was speechless.

Man, Mr. Vexley really changed! Yesterday he suddenly got sent off on some random trip. Then late at night got a message from Leif to rush back. He showed up exhausted, led a rescue, but was stopped at the lab entrance by Leif’s order.

Rael paced around angrily, glaring at Raina like he wanted to rip her apart.

“Hmph, witch.”

He kicked some rocks nearby a few times but couldn’t help blurting out, “And you, Mr. Vexley, last night I clearly—”

Before he could finish, Leif shot him a cold look that froze him solid. Rael shut up immediately, not daring to say another word.

Raina happened to hear and asked, “Last night you clearly what?”

Rael just glanced nervously at Leif, saying nothing.

Honestly, even if Raina hadn’t found a way out last night, Leif wouldn’t have let her get hurt. His team was already close by and could have busted the door open anytime to get everyone out.

But he never gave the order.

“It’s nothing. He was traveling for work and just got back, probably exhausted...” Leif explained, then told Rael, “You look worn out. Go rest in the car.”

He definitely wasn’t talking about the one they were riding in.

Rael didn’t dare say no. He smiled and said, “Okay, Mr. Vexley, I guess after a night on the road I am pretty tired, haha. Sorry for bothering you. I’m out.”

He practically ran off like he was escaping.

Raina scratched her head and said to Leif, “Don’t you think we’re putting Mr. Cruz out a bit much?”

Leif shook his head. “Not at all.”

They walked toward the cars. Now that things were settled, Raina felt a little guilty. After thinking for a bit, just as they reached a car door, she scratched her nose and tried out, “Hey... how about I cook dinner tonight? We could invite Mr. Cruz over — as a thanks for coming all this way to help.”

Leif: “...”

***