UNDER SIEGE

The driver eased the car to a halt. Silence swallowed the night as both men listened, waiting for the scream to return, but Rafe’s hand covered Derek's mouth.

No sound came out; at least not one they could hear.

“Drive,” He ordered quietly.

The car rolled forward through the road.

“We’ll stop here for the night,” Rafe finally said, sinking back into the driver’s seat. He let out a long breath.

Derek exhaled too, noting with relief that the bleeding on his side had completely stopped.

“When we reach Safehouse Cobalt, I’ll get proper medical care for you,” Rafe murmured. His voice softened as he rubbed Derek’s hand gently, trying to ease him into sleep, but Derek’s body remained tense and restless. Rafe withdrew, giving him space.

An hour later, both men slipped into exhausted sleep.

A thunderous knock slammed against the car window.

“BAM! BAM! BAM!

Rafe’s eyes snapped open. A sharply dressed man in an elegant suit stood outside, irritation written across his face.

“Hey! Move your car from here,” he said the moment their eyes met.

Rafe blinked away the fog of sleep. Only then did he notice the building behind the man; a studio with musical instruments decorating the entrance. He nodded apologetically and reached for the ignition… then paused.

Money lay scattered on the floor of the car.

“Perfect,” he muttered under his breath, quickly gathering it before driving off.

Derek stirred awake as Rafe parked at a supermarket. Rafe stepped out and returned minutes later with snacks, drinks, antiseptic spray, and fresh bandages.

“Hold still,” Rafe instructed gently.

He cleaned Derek’s wound with the antiseptic, wrapped him carefully, then tended to the small cut on his own foot. Once done, they ate in silence, gathering strength before continuing the long drive.

**Safehouse Cobalt**

They arrived Safehouse Cobalt; an isolated fortress disguised as a rustic cabin. High, stone walls surrounded it; security cameras were hidden beneath carved wooden beams; and the reinforced front door looked ordinary, yet could withstand an explosion.

It was one of Rafe’s private locations, a place he visited only when the world demanded silence.

Inside, the safehouse was surprisingly warm. Leather couches flanked the fireplace, and several rooms branched off from the wide living area. Medical supplies filled an entire cabinet. 

Rafe guided Derek into one of the guest rooms.

“Lie down,” he said. His voice softened in a way it rarely did.

Derek settled on the bed.

“Thank you… for helping me,” he murmured.

Rafe gave a small, calm smile and left him to rest.

*********

Five Days Later

Derek sat at the dining table dressed in Rafe’s oversized casual clothes. His wounds were healing, and though he ate with reluctance, still unfamiliar with the simple, home-style meals, he forced himself to finish.

Rafe walked in just as Derek set his spoon down.

“I’ve been thinking,” Derek began.

“About what?” Rafe asked, taking the seat beside him.

“I think I need to return to my home, to the Enterprise.” Derek’s fingers tightened around the edge of his plate. “I’ve been here for days, doing nothing. I can’t hide forever.”

Rafe watched him quietly.

“I’ve made up my mind,” Derek continued. “I want my life back. And I'm glad I have you by my side and that way I can be able to pay you.”

“Whatever you decide, I’m behind you,” Rafe said simply.

Relief washed across Derek’s face.

“Thank you.”

He stood. “Can we leave now?” Derek asked impatiently.

Rafe nodded, and they headed to the car . Driving till the sight of Derek’s company hit them like a blow.

The glass doors were shattered. The walls were scorched. Papers lay scattered across the lobby, and it was silent; too silent for a place once filled with life.

They stepped inside.

Derek approached the elevator, surprised when it chimed open. Somehow, it still worked.

His office, however, was unrecognizable. The door hung off its hinges, the desk overturned, files shredded or missing. Derek rushed to his drawer but surprisingly it was empty.

“My two business laptops… I kept them here,” he whispered, breath hitching.

His gaze fell on the office telephone. He snatched it up and dialed a number.

“I need you at the company today,” he said firmly. “We were attacked. I need everything repaired immediately.”

He ended the call.

“Your contractor?” Rafe asked.

“Yes. I just hope no one was hurt.” Derek’s expression changed suddenly as realization hit him. “The control room!”

He sprinted for the elevator, Rafe following.

Inside the control room, devastation awaited them. Monitors were smashed, wires torn out, and the main system computer was nearly destroyed.

“No! No!” Derek rushed to the central console. The screen flickered, cracked but functional. He typed rapidly but nothing, he tried again but still nothing.

Finally, after a series of persistent commands, the system opened… but refused access:

ACCESS DENIED.

He tried again and again but got the same response.

His knees buckled as he collapsed onto the floor.

“What’s wrong?” Rafe asked quietly.

Derek dragged a hand down his face. “The entire company’s system… every detail, every blueprint, every encrypted file… it’s been compromised.”

He moved to another terminal and pulled up what little was left of the logs:

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRIES. 

DISABLED CAMERAS. 

FLOORS 1 THROUGH 20 OFFLINE.

“Everything had been breached”. Derek muttered, his voice laced in pain.

“I’m sorry,” Rafe said gently.

“This isn’t your fault.” Derek exhaled shakily.

He picked up another telephone near the console and dialed.

“Hello, Liora,” he said.

“Derek? Is everything okay?” a feminine voice came through.

“No, the company was attacked". Derek voice cracked. "The system’s been hacked, and I don’t know if anyone was harmed.”

“Oh my God… Derek, I’m so sorry. I wish I’d been there. I’ll be back in California by tomorrow, I’ll do everything I can to recover the system.”

“Thank you. I really need you here,” Derek said, then hung up.

He turned to Rafe.

“That was Liora Castel. My childhood friend and the company’s CFO, but she's brilliant with systems too. If anyone can restore this, it’s her.”

Before Rafe could respond, the sound of engines rumbled outside; multiple vehicles approaching.

Derek rushed to the window and peered out.

“Rafe,” he said, voice tightening, “you need to see this.”

Rafe joined him.

And what they saw made Derek’s breath falter.