The factory loomed before them, a massive, skeletal structure shrouded in an eerie silence that made Winter's skin prickle.

The faint glow of distant streetlights flickered through cracked windows as Karina led the way, her movements calculated and silent. Winter followed, not out of choice, but necessity. Her gaze was fixed on the rigid line of Karina's back, the faint sway of her ponytail taunting her with each step.

"Follow my lead," Karina had said, as if she were a child needing guidance. Winter bit her lip, her teeth digging into her frustration. Her boots scuffed slightly against the concrete, earning her a quick, narrowing glance from Karina. The subtle flare in Karina's eyes ignited a surge of anger within Winter.

God, I hate her. The thought ran through her mind, a mantra to hold onto. But deep down, where anger and something softer tangled, she wasn't so sure anymore.

They moved deeper into the factory, shadows stretching long and distorted under the weak glow of a few overhead bulbs. The smell of rust and mildew clung to the air, making Winter wrinkle her nose. Karina's hand shot up suddenly, motioning for Winter to halt.

"What now?" Winter whispered, her voice dripping with annoyance. She folded her arms, her glare returning.

Karina didn't respond, her head tilted as she listened intently to the faint hum of machinery in the distance. "Stay quiet," she hissed, her tone sharp, and gestured for Winter to follow her again, their steps growing lighter, more cautious as they moved towards a metal staircase leading down into the bowels of the building.

"Nothing's even here," Winter muttered.

As if on cue, a loud clang reverberated through the factory, startling Winter, and she nearly stumbled into Karina, who spun around, her glare like daggers.

"Are you trying to alert the whole place?" Karina hissed.

"It wasn't me!" Winter snapped back, her cheeks flushing despite herself.

Before either could say more, the heavy groan of machinery filled the air. With a sudden, ominous finality, the doors around them slammed shut. The metallic clank echoed, sending a jolt of adrenaline through Winter.

"What the hell-" Winter began, but Karina cut her off.

"Move! Now!" Karina barked, already sprinting back the way they'd come.

Winter hesitated for a fraction of a second before following, her heart pounding, a cold dread settling in her stomach.

"What's going on, Ningning?" Karina spoke into her earpiece, her voice sharp and commanding as they ran.

There was a crackle before Ningning's voice came through, laced with panic. "I-I don't know! The system just locked you in. I'm trying to override it, but nothing's responding yet."

Karina cursed under her breath, her pace quickening. Winter struggled to keep up, her legs burning as they darted between rusted machinery and toppled crates.

"We don't have time for this!" Winter shouted, barely dodging a pipe jutting from the floor.

"Then keep up and stop whining!" Karina shot back, her voice tense.

The floor beneath them creaked ominously, and Karina suddenly skidded to a halt. Winter collided with her back, nearly sending them both sprawling.

"What now-" Winter began, but the words died in her throat as the ground beneath them groaned again.

"Run!" Karina shouted, grabbing Winter's wrist, pulling her forward.

They barely took three steps before the floor gave way beneath them with a deafening crash. Winter's scream mixed with Karina's startled shout as they plummeted, the world spinning in a chaotic blur of falling debris and cold air.

They hit the ground hard, tumbling across the uneven surface below. Winter felt her shoulder slam into something sharp, pain radiating down her arm as she came to a stop.

"Karina?" she called out, her voice shaky. She winced, forcing herself to sit up despite the throbbing ache in her ribs.

"I'm fine," Karina's voice came from nearby, tight with pain but steady.

Winter's heart skipped when she spotted her, slumped against a broken pipe, her leg twisted awkwardly beneath her. Without thinking, Winter scrambled over, ignoring the sharp sting in her side.

"You're not fine," Winter said, crouching beside her. Her hands hovered for a moment before she instinctively reached for Karina's arm, pulling her up gently.

Karina hissed in pain but didn't pull away. "I said I'm fine," she repeated, her voice lacking its usual bite.

Before Winter could respond, Yuna's voice crackled through the earpiece.

"Uh, guys? You've got company," Yuna said, her tone laced with worry. "There are cars heading your way, and they don't look friendly."

Karina's jaw tightened as she pushed herself to her feet with Winter's reluctant help. She brought a hand to her earpiece. "Get out of there. Now."

"What?" Yuna's voice was incredulous. "We're not leaving you!"

"You'll blow our cover if they spot the vehicles," Karina said firmly, her voice brooking no argument. "Leave. Now."

"Come-" Ningning began, but Karina cut her off.

"That's an order. Go. We'll figure something out."

Winter stared, disbelief etching her face. "You're seriously sending them away? What's the plan then?"

Karina glanced at her, and for a moment, something unreadable flickered in her eyes. "We survive," she said simply, her attention shifting back to the shadows above, an unnerving calm replacing her usual control.

Winter felt a lump form in her throat. Despite everything, despite the frustration and confusion, Winter found herself trusting her.

She hated it.

The silence was suffocating, pressing against Winter's ears as she crouched beside Karina, her eyes darting around the dimly lit underground space. Dust motes floated lazily in the stale air, illuminated by the weak beam of a single flashlight Karina had managed to save from the fall. The faint rustle of movement above made them both freeze, their breaths hitching as they exchanged a sharp glance.

Karina shifted, her face set in a tight grimace as she tried to move her injured leg. A strained exhale escaped her lips, and Winter instinctively steadied her, her hands gripping Karina's arm as she helped her ease into a sitting position.

"Don't move too much," Winter whispered, her voice barely audible over the thumping of her own heartbeat. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted her grip, trying to ignore the heat radiating off Karina's skin.

Karina didn't respond, her jaw clenched tightly, the burning pain in her leg a relentless, sharp thrum. She shoved it aside, her focus locked on the faint noises growing louder above them.

The distinct sound of footsteps echoed, boots hitting the ground in hurried, purposeful strides. Winter's breath hitched again, her eyes widening as she pressed herself closer to the nearest crate. Karina motioned for her to stay quiet, her hand gripping Winter's wrist tightly.

The creak of metal filled the space, followed by a sharp burst of light as someone opened a hatch above. Shadows danced along the walls, and Winter squinted against the brightness, her heart racing as she watched the figures above peer into the underground room.

"They're definitely hiding down here," one voice said, gruff and impatient.

"Spread out," another ordered.

The sound of boots hitting the floor made Winter flinch, her grip on the edge of the crate tightening until her knuckles turned white. Karina tensed beside her, her breathing shallow as she angled her body protectively.

Winter glanced at her, her mind racing. They were boxed in, vulnerable, and Karina's injury wasn't helping.

Flashlights swung wildly across the room, beams of light cutting through the darkness. Winter pressed herself flatter against the crate, her heart pounding so loudly, she was sure they'd hear it.

"Look around. They couldn't have gone far," one of the voices said, closer now.

Winter felt Karina's hand on her arm, squeezing gently but firmly. It was grounding, even as every nerve in her body screamed at her to run.

The men moved through the room, their footsteps echoing against the concrete. One of them passed alarmingly close to their hiding spot, his flashlight skimming the edge of the crate. Winter held her breath, her nails digging into her palm as she fought the urge to flinch.

"Nothing here," the man said, moving on.

Karina exhaled quietly, her gaze fixed on the figures as they continued their search. Her mind raced, cataloging every possible scenario. The pain in her leg was a constant thrum, but she forced herself to ignore it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the men began to retreat.

"Let's go. We'll check the perimeter again," one of them said, his tone sharp.

Winter watched as they climbed back up through the hatch, their voices growing fainter, and then, the loud clang of metal startled her, as they sealed the opening.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Winter finally let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she pushed herself off the crate. "What... what was that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Karina didn't answer immediately. Her gaze was fixed on the sealed hatch, her brow furrowed in thought as she adjusted, wincing.

"They're storing something here," Karina said finally, her voice low and measured. She gestured towards the stacks of crates and equipment scattered around the room. "This place isn't just a factory. It's a cover."