Chapter 42

chapter Forty-one

As Tessa and Tristan reached the billboard where students had gathered, their eyes were drawn to the chilling message scrawled in bold letters with what appeared to be blood. Tessa's heart skipped a beat as she read the words: "Tessa, we are waiting for you. Come and rescue your friend. Let's see what you got."

A collective hush fell over the crowd as they absorbed the gravity of the message. Whispers filled the air, a mix of fear and determination. Tessa took a step forward, her voice steady and commanding, cutting through the tension.

"We can't waste a moment, Tristan," she declared, her voice laced with urgency. "Lucas is in danger, and we have to find him before it's too late. This is not just an attack on Lucas; it's an attack on all of us."

Tristan nodded, his jaw clenched. "You're right, Tessa. We can't let them think they can just take one of our own without consequences. We'll bring him back, no matter what it takes."

With purpose in their steps, Tessa and Tristan led the way to the courtyard, where their fellow guards had gathered. The atmosphere crackled with a mix of anxiety and determination. Tessa raised her voice, projecting it over the assembled group.

"Listen up, everyone!" she called out, her voice strong and unwavering. "Our friend Lucas has been taken, and we have a clear message demanding our intervention. This is a test of our strength, unity, and resolve. We can't let them break us. We will stand together and fight for our friend."

The guards nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute. One of them stepped forward, a spark of determination in his eyes. "What's the plan, Tessa? How do we rescue Lucas?"

Tessa scanned the faces before her, a mix of concern and determination reflected in their eyes. "First, we need information," she began, her voice steady and focused. "We'll split into teams and gather as much intel as we can about the location where Lucas is being held. We'll need blueprints, surveillance footage, any insider knowledge we can get. The more we know, the better equipped we'll be to plan our rescue."

The guards nodded, their determination growing with each passing second. Tessa continued, her voice filled with conviction. "We'll reconvene in two hours. Bring back whatever information you can find. We'll analyze it together and strategize our next move. Lucas is counting on us, and we won't let him down."

As the guards dispersed, each heading off to fulfill their assigned tasks, Tessa turned to Tristan, their gazes locking. Tristan's eyes burned with a mix of worry and determination.

"Tessa, are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. "It's going to be dangerous, and we don't know what we're up against."

Tessa met Tristan's gaze, her eyes filled with a potent mix of determination and vulnerability. "I won't lie, Tristan. I'm scared. But I can't let fear paralyze me. Lucas is like family to us, and we owe it to him to do everything in our power to bring him back. This is our moment to prove our strength, resilience, and loyalty."

Tristan's features softened, and he reached out to grasp Tessa's hand, offering his unwavering support. "I trust you, Tessa," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "We'll get through this together. And we won't rest until Lucas is safe."

Tessa's grip tightened around Tristan's hand, drawing strength from his words. "Thank you

As the hours passed, the guards reconvened in the meeting room, the atmosphere charged with a sense of purpose and anticipation. Tessa and Tristan sat at the head of the table, listening intently as each guard shared the information they had gathered. Blueprints were spread out before them, surveillance footage analyzed, and insider tips considered.

Tessa's mind raced, absorbing every detail, mapping out the compound in her mind. She knew the layout, the guard rotations, and the potential blind spots. It was time to put their plan into motion, to rescue Lucas from the clutches of their enemies.

Tessa stood up, her voice cutting through the air, commanding the attention of the room. "Thank you, everyone, for your hard work and dedication. We now have a solid understanding of the location, and we're ready to execute our plan."

The guards leaned forward, their eyes fixed on Tessa. She radiated confidence and determination, her every word resonating with purpose. "Our primary objective is to extract Lucas safely," she continued, her voice strong. "We'll divide into two teams-one team will create a diversion to draw the enemy's attention, while the second team infiltrates the compound and rescues Lucas. Stealth and efficiency will be our guiding principles. We can't afford any mistakes."

As the guards nodded in agreement, Tessa's gaze met Tristan's. They shared a brief moment of silent communication, a reminder of their unspoken bond. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with.

Tristan stepped forward, his voice echoing with unwavering determination. "Our friend Lucas is counting on us. We won't let him down. Each of you has been chosen for this mission because of your skills and dedication. Tonight, we prove that we are a formidable team."

The room buzzed with anticipation as the guards prepared themselves mentally and double-checked their equipment. Tessa's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but she pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Just as they were about to leave the meeting room, the door swung open, and the leader entered, his expression a mix of concern and caution. He surveyed the room, his gaze settling on Tessa.

"Tessa, I understand your urgency, but this is no minor task," he said, his voice filled with wisdom born from experience. "We need time to prepare, to strategize. We can't rush into this blindly."

Tessa met the leader's gaze, her eyes shining with determination. "Sir, we appreciate your concerns, but waiting is not an option. We cannot afford to waste any more time. Every passing moment puts Lucas in greater danger. We have prepared ourselves thoroughly, gathered the necessary intelligence, and crafted a plan. We are ready."

The leader sighed, his gaze shifting between the determined faces before him. He recognized the fire burning within each guard, their unwavering loyalty to their friend. Reluctantly, he nodded. "Alright, Tessa. If you truly believe we're ready, then I won't stand in your way. But promise me that you'll prioritize the safety of our team. We can't afford any unnecessary risks."

Tessa's voice was filled with sincerity as she responded, "I promise, sir. We'll prioritize safety above all else. We won't take any unnecessary risks. We'll be cautious and rely on our training."

With the leader's approval secured, Tessa turned to address the team once more. "We're going tonight," she declared, her voice firm. "Make sure you've double-checked all your equipment, and prepare yourself mentally. This won't be an easy mission, but we have each other's backs. We won't leave anyone behind.