The night's stillness shattered as a gunshot ripped through the air.

Winter's eyes flew open, her heart a frantic drum against her ribs. For a disorienting moment, she thought it was a nightmare, but then a second shot echoed, followed by a third. The unmistakable squeal of tires outside ignited a surge of panic within her.

"Down!" Karina's voice was a sharp command.

Instinct taking over, Winter rolled off the bed, hitting the floor hard as Ningning and Yuna erupted from their rooms, eyes wide with alarm, scrambling for cover.

"What the hell is going on?!" Ningning's voice was a panicked shriek, as another gunshot punctuated the night.

"Are we under attack?" Yuna gasped, crawling towards the nearest window, eyes darting frantically.

"No shit, Sherlock!" Winter snapped, her pulse pounding in her ears.

Karina, already low to the ground, moved with practiced efficiency towards the hidden weapons cache beneath her bed, retrieving a rifle and tossing a pistol towards Winter. "Move, now!"

Winter barely managed to snatch the pistol before another volley of shots exploded outside. They ducked instinctively, pressing themselves against the walls, the entire safehouse vibrating with a palpable sense of dread.

"Who the hell is shooting?" Winter hissed, trying to control her ragged breaths.

Karina, eyes narrowed and focused, risked a peek through the window, her gaze sweeping the darkness. "I don't know-"

Then, as abruptly as it began, the gunfire ceased, leaving a deafening silence, broken only by the ragged sound of their breathing. No one moved, each waiting, listening.

Winter exchanged a wary look with Karina, their faces unreadable. "Did they... just leave?"

Karina slowly shook her head. "I don't think so."

Before anyone could process the unnerving quiet, the deep rumble of another engine tore through the night.

Headlights sliced through the window, and then - another eruption of gunfire. But this time, the shots were not directed at their safe house.

"They're fighting each other," Ningning whispered, her eyes shifting between Karina and Winter, confusion evident in their depths.

Yuna peeked through the smallest gap in the curtain. "Yeah. There are two groups. One of them is pulling back."

More gunfire, more tires screeching, then the sound of engines revving and fading into the distance, leaving behind a silence pregnant with tension.

Winter tightened her grip on her weapon, every muscle in her body coiled and ready. "Who the hell were they?"

Karina didn't answer immediately, exhaling slowly before finally muttering, "We're about to find out."

A sharp knock echoed against the door, followed by a familiar voice, laced with an underlying tension.

"Yo, you guys still breathing in there?"

Winter nearly sagged in relief. "Yeji?"

Karina immediately straightened, favoring her injured leg slightly, and moved to open the door. Yeji stepped inside, her expression sharp, her gaze assessing the room and then the girls, all still clutching their weapons. Two of her team members followed close behind, their eyes alert and ready.

"We got here as soon as we heard the shots," Yeji said, shoving her hands into the pockets of her tactical vest. "What the hell happened?"

Karina let out a tense breath, her jaw tight. "We were followed. Probably from the factory."

Yeji muttered a curse under her breath. "Figured as much. We picked up a couple of tracks leading this way." She nodded her head towards the window. "Whoever was after you wasn't alone out here tonight. Sounded like two different groups exchanging fire."

Winter frowned, her mouth twisting in annoyance. "Great. Love that for us."

Yeji threw her a sharp look before turning her attention back to Karina. "You need to move. Now. It won't take them long to regroup, and next time, they won't miss."

Karina gave a quick nod. "I was thinking the same thing."

Yeji crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, lucky for you, I'm offering a solution. Temporary relocation to our base. You'll be safer there while we figure out who's been tailing you."

Ningning raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And why are you being so generous, exactly?"

Yeji smirked, a hint of dark humor playing on her lips. "Because I'd rather not have you idiots die before I get a chance to kick your asses in training again."

Yuna snorted a quiet laugh. "Wow. So very heartwarming."

Karina, however, didn't hesitate. "Fine. We'll move immediately."

Winter gaped at her, surprise and a little annoyance etching her features. "Just like that?"

Karina glanced at her, her face unreadable. "Unless you'd rather stay here and find out what they were after?"

Winter clicked her tongue, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine. Whatever."

Yeji clapped her hands together, a spark of command in her eyes. "Alright then, princesses, pack your shit. We leave in ten."