Chapter 18: Trust

As they entered the office, they were met with an unexpected sight. The door slammed shut behind them, the soft click of the lock echoing in the dimly lit room. They exchanged a wary glance, their hearts pounding in their chests.

The office was spacious, with rows of sleek metal workstations lining the walls. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows on the sterile black counters and stainless steel equipment. Computer monitors flickered to life, displaying complex diagrams and schematics.

Edith's eyes scanned the room, her mind racing with possibilities. "Well, this is unexpected," she remarked, her tone laced with frustration.

Zain frowned, his brow furrowed with concern. "Looks like we're trapped," he observed, his voice grim.

Edith clenched her jaw, her mistrust bubbling to the surface. "And whose bright idea was it to come in, without a backup plan?" she snapped, turning to glare at Zain.

Zain's eyes flashed with irritation. "Hey, I didn't lock us in here," he shot back, his tone defensive.

Their argument echoed in the empty lab, the tension between them thickening with each passing moment. But they knew they couldn't afford to let their emotions get the best of them, not when they were faced with a potentially dangerous situation.

With a frustrated sigh, Edith began to move around the room, her eyes scanning for any signs of an exit. Zain followed suit, his movements tense as he checked the workstations and cabinets for clues.

As they searched, they came across several locked cabinets and drawers, each one presenting a new challenge. Edith took out her lockpicking tools, her fingers deftly working the tumblers as she attempted to unlock them.

Meanwhile, Zain examined the computer terminals, trying to access the system to see if he could find any information about their predicament. But each attempt was met with a firewall, the system seemingly impenetrable.

As they worked, the tension between them hung in the air like a heavy fog, their mistrust threatening to drive a wedge between them. But they knew that if they were going to escape, they would need to put aside their differences and work together. As Edith and Zain struggled to find a way out of the locked lab, they knew they needed help. Edith reached for her earpiece and activated the communication link with Kasey and Markus, who were waiting anxiously in the surveillance van.

"Kasey, Markus, we've got a problem," Edith said, her voice tense with urgency.

"What's going on?" Kasey's voice crackled over the earpiece.

"We're locked in the lab," Zain interjected, frustration evident in his tone. "We need a way out."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line as Kasey and Markus processed the information. Then, Kasey spoke up, his voice serious. "Okay, we'll see what we can do. Just sit tight."

But Edith knew they couldn't afford to sit tight. "No, wait," she said quickly. "Don't bring Cian and Montana into this. They'll only further compromise our position."

There was a brief pause before Markus replied, "Understood. We'll handle it."

With that, Edith and Zain continued their search for an escape route, their minds racing with possibilities. They checked every corner of the lab, examining every piece of equipment and scanning every inch of the room for any sign of weakness.

As they searched the lab for any signs of an exit, Edith and Zain exchanged hushed words.

"We need to find a way out of here fast," Edith said, her voice low but urgent.

Zain nodded in agreement. "I know, but we can't rush this. We need to be thorough," he replied, his tone calm but determined.

Edith shot him a frustrated look. "Thorough? Zain, we're running out of time," she insisted, her voice tinged with impatience.

Zain sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I understand that Edith, but we can't afford to make any mistakes," he countered, his gaze meeting hers. "We need to think this through carefully."

Edith bristled at his words, her frustration mounting. "Think this through? Zain, we're locked in a lab with no way out. How much more time do you think we have?" she retorted, her voice rising slightly.

Zain's expression softened as he regarded her. "I know it's difficult, but we can't let panic cloud our judgment," he replied, his voice gentle but firm.

Edith rolled her eyes, “So now we can’t panic but you can take out a random guard after your daddy was mean to you over the phone.” 

He looked at her with a flash of hurt. 

“What? You thought I wouldn’t notice, come on Callahan we’re super spies. You hold yourself all high and mighty, ‘I don't let my emotions cloud my judgment,’ spare me the nobility speech. I’m the impulsive one? Take a look at yourself.” She said angrily, regret immediately coursing through her.

“Who’s here without the knowledge of her parents? Edith, you could die here and your parents think you’re on a business trip, they would never have any closure.” He had heard her and Markus discussing it earlier this week, and he wanted to talk to her about it, just not like this.

A look of confusion popped up onto her features but it left as soon as it appeared. “Don’t bring my parents into this.”

“Then grow up and realize, you aren’t perfect.” He said, stepping into her space. Edith pushed his shoulder as they continued to look around.

With that, they resumed their search, their footsteps echoing in the quiet confines of the lab as they scoured every corner for a possible escape route. Then without warning, they felt the ground shake.

**Rumble**

**Rumble**

**Rumble**

Edith and Zain looked up and the walls were closing in.

K.M Strunk