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Chapter 24 - TEERCES

The next day, Peter was sitting in a small, dimly lit room, going over his plans when the door swung open. He looked up to see Zunafets, Aitnys, Optimus, and Eldric standing in the doorway, ready for action.

Zunafets spoke first, his voice steady but urgent, "It's time, Peter. We've gathered everything we can. The clock's ticking."

Peter stood up, pushing his chair back, and grabbed his bag. He nodded at Zunafets, his expression focused. "Let's go."

Aitnys was the first to move toward the door. "We've got a vehicle waiting outside. Let's get you out of here before anyone catches wind of your location."

Optimus stepped up next, his face unreadable. "We're all in this together, Peter. Whatever happens, we've got your back."

Eldric didn't say anything, but his presence was reassuring. Peter knew that, despite the tension, his friends were ready for whatever came next.

As they left the building and moved quickly toward the waiting vehicle, Peter couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to escalate. "So, what's the next step?" he asked, scanning their faces.

Zunafets glanced over at him as he climbed into the front seat of the vehicle. "We've got a lead on the people behind the operation, and we're heading straight to the heart of it. We'll need to move fast. No more waiting."

Peter nodded grimly. "Then let's go."

As the vehicle sped through the streets, Peter's thoughts were already on the task ahead. There was no turning back now.

During the journey, the atmosphere inside the car was tense. Optimus, sitting in the back seat, finally spoke up, his voice full of regret. "Peter... I'm sorry. Everything that happened, I... I don't know how I got caught up in this."

Peter, who had been thinking about their next move, glanced at him for a moment. He knew what Optimus was feeling, and even though the situation was complicated, he could understand. Without saying much, Peter reached over and lightly hugged him. "We all have our reasons, Optimus. You're not alone."

However, the atmosphere that had started to feel a little lighter quickly changed. In front of them, a large FTO vehicle appeared, blocking their way. The doors opened, and several FTO agents emerged, weapons drawn.

One of the FTO agents shouted firmly, "Put your hands up! There's no way out!"

Peter scowled, then slowly exited the car, his eyes sharp as he stared at the agents who were ready to apprehend him. "I won't resist," he said, his voice calm despite the turmoil inside him. He knew this was a moment he couldn't avoid.

Zunafets, Aitnys, and Eldric rushed out of the car, ready to act. But before they could move further, several FTO agents quickly restrained them and held them back. Peter sighed, realizing that this time, they had lost this battle.

Peter walked slowly toward the waiting agent. "You think this will end just like this?" he asked, his voice flat.

The agent didn't respond, only grabbing his arm firmly and forcing him to follow them.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Zunafets and the others were forced to watch as Peter was taken away, unable to do anything.

Peter was transported back to the capital in a military-grade helicopter, the cold metal floor beneath him feeling heavier with every passing second. The wind howled outside as the helicopter soared through the night sky, and the city lights below seemed distant and cold, a reminder of the power that awaited him on the ground.

When they landed, Peter was immediately escorted into a high-security facility. He didn't fight back—there was no use in resisting. He'd been through this before, but this time, the stakes were higher. His mind raced with plans, but he kept them to himself for now.

The sound of metal doors clanging shut echoed through the prison hallways as he was pushed into a small, stark cell. The walls were bare, and the only light came from a small, flickering bulb above. He was left alone, the door slamming shut behind him with a finality that made his stomach tighten.

Peter sat down on the small cot, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts immediately turned to his friends—Zunafets, Aitnys, Eldric, and Optimus. He hoped they were okay, but he knew they would come for him. They always did.

The minutes stretched into hours, and Peter's mind wandered to his next move. He had been captured, but he wasn't done yet. As long as he had breath, he could fight. The question was: who was pulling the strings now? He had to uncover that.

Outside, the world was continuing to turn, unaware of the storm brewing within the walls of the prison. And Peter, even in captivity, knew that this was far from over.

The news of Peter's arrest spread rapidly. This time, there was no trial. The decision was made quickly—Peter was sentenced to life imprisonment without a chance to defend himself. This shocked many, especially since there was no clear evidence to support the charges against him. It was a clear example of the rampant abuse of political power, where justice and fairness were manipulated for greater interests.

Enimsya, in her office, couldn't hold back her anger. As the lawyer who had previously assisted Peter in court, she felt this was a gross injustice. She knew Peter not just as a hacker or fugitive, but as someone with a heart and a goal to make the world a better place. The lawyer in her was fighting for fairness, but her personal side condemned the system that had stripped Peter of his freedom without a fair trial.

"This isn't fair," Enimsya murmured to herself, staring at the news about his arrest on her computer screen. Tears almost welled up, but she held them back. She knew something had to be done, but what?

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Optimus and Odlan were having a serious conversation about the ongoing situation. The atmosphere in the room was tense. Optimus was frustrated and confused, while Odlan, who was calmer, tried to offer a broader perspective.

"He's not just a hacker, Odlan. He's not just an enemy of the government. Peter is a victim of this broken system," Optimus said, his voice trembling. There was regret in his tone.

Odlan looked at him, then raised his hand. "I know, Optimus. But we're all trapped in this. If we move too quickly or make the wrong step, we could lose everything."

The tension in the room thickened. Suddenly, in a burst of emotion, Odlan slapped Optimus across the face. "Think clearly!" he shouted. "We need to know our next move. Peter's been caught, and that's not the end of the story. It's just the beginning. We need to act fast."

Optimus stared at him in shock, holding his stinging cheek. But even in his surprise, he realized Odlan was right—they couldn't let this end here.

The guilt and helplessness that weighed on them grew stronger, but they both knew one thing: they had to act quickly, or everything would end badly for both them and Peter.

Peter was strapped to a chair in the dimly lit interrogation room, the cold metal against his skin. The room was silent, except for the occasional sound of footsteps and the low hum of a machine in the corner. His captors circled around him, their faces obscured by shadows, but Peter could feel their eyes on him—hating, waiting. They weren't here for answers, they were here for something else.

One of the agents stepped forward, a long pair of pliers in his hands. Without a word, he grabbed Peter's hand and yanked his finger back, pulling his fingernail with ruthless precision. The pain shot through Peter's body, but he didn't flinch. His lips curled into a cruel, defiant smile.

"Is that all you've got?" Peter sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You'll have to do better than that."

The agent's face twisted in anger. He looked to his colleague, who nodded. Without warning, a fist collided with Peter's jaw. The force was enough to send blood splattering from his lips. Peter's teeth were stained with blood, but his smile didn't falter.

"You think you can break me?" Peter hissed through clenched teeth, his voice filled with venom. "You'll regret this. You'll all regret it."

They didn't answer. Instead, they moved quickly, grabbing a knife from the table. The cold steel pressed against his leg before it was driven deep into his flesh. The pain exploded through his body like wildfire, the blood spilling from the wound in torrents.

Peter's breath caught for a moment, but then, despite the agony, he let out a harsh laugh. "You're idiots," he said, his voice low but deadly. "You think this will stop me? You think hurting me will make you win? You'll never break me."

The agents stepped back, confused and frustrated by his resilience. His bloodied grin only seemed to make them angrier, but Peter didn't care. He knew this was far from over. They could hurt him, torture him, but he would never give them the satisfaction of seeing him broken.

"You can keep going. It's not going to change anything," Peter spat, a mix of blood and defiance in his voice. "This is just the beginning."

Peter sat in the corner of his cell, staring at his leg wrapped in bandages. The pain was still there, but he was used to it by now. His body was covered in bruises and cuts, but his mind remained sharp. While everything seemed to be falling apart, he knew this wasn't the end. Not yet.

Suddenly, the door to his cell creaked open. Footsteps approached, and a guard stood in the doorway. "Someone wants to see you," he said in a flat tone.

Peter looked up, confused. Who would want to see him here? As the door opened wider, the figure appeared in front of him.

Enimsya.

She walked quickly toward Peter, not saying a word, before she hugged him tightly. Peter could feel her trembling. Enimsya seemed so broken, her eyes red, as though holding back the tears she had yet to shed.

"Peter..." Enimsya's voice quivered. "I'm so worried. I don't know what's going to happen to you. But I... I can't lose you."

Peter hugged her back, even though his body still ached. He tried to smile, but it felt more bitter than usual. "I won't go so easily, Enimsya," he said quietly. "I'll get out of here. I'll always be there for you."

Enimsya took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I don't know how, but I'll try to help. I won't let them destroy you."

Peter looked at her face, his eyes full of unspoken gratitude. "I know. But don't worry, I've been through this before. They won't beat me."

But in his heart, Peter knew it would be harder than he expected. Their enemies were growing stronger, and time was running out. But with Enimsya by his side, he felt there was still hope. They still had a chance, if they acted quickly.

"I won't give up," Peter said, more to himself than to Enimsya.

Peter gently pulled away from Enimsya's embrace, his eyes soft but serious. He could see the concern in her eyes, but there was a weight in his chest that he couldn't ignore.

"You need to go now," he said, his voice steady but strained. "I don't want you to get caught in this mess. It's not safe for you here. Eduardo... he's not going to stop looking for you, and I can't risk putting you in more danger."

Enimsya frowned, but she didn't argue. She knew Peter was right. She had already put herself at risk just by coming here. But the pain of leaving him behind was almost unbearable.

"I'm not leaving you here alone," she replied, her voice firm. "I'll find a way to help you. I don't care what Eduardo or anyone else thinks."

Peter's expression softened for a moment. He reached out and touched her arm gently. "You have to. I can't be the one who drags you down too. Eduardo... he's dangerous. I don't want to see you hurt because of me."

Enimsya looked down, fighting back tears, before nodding slowly. She knew Peter had always been a fighter, but she also knew that he was right. She couldn't let herself become a liability.

"Alright," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "But promise me you'll get out of here. Promise me you won't let them win."

Peter nodded, his resolve hardening. "I promise. I'll find a way. Just... stay safe."

As she turned to leave, Peter watched her go, his heart heavy. He knew she was right to worry, but he couldn't let her stay. If Eduardo found her here, it would be worse for both of them.

He sat back down, his mind racing with the need for a plan, but deep down, he knew it was only a matter of time before he'd have to face everything head-on. And this time, he wouldn't back down.

On the other side, the police officers were conversing in the basement of the headquarters. They were discussing the next steps after capturing Peter. The atmosphere was tense, their voices low and full of calculation.

"According to orders, we need to move Peter to a more secure prison," one officer said, his face serious. "He needs to be placed in a facility that's more closed off, away from any possibility of escape or manipulation."

Another officer nodded. "Exactly. This place isn't secure enough. If he joins forces with people who have power or a large network, we'll have a hard time monitoring him. A prison outside the city, more isolated, is what we need."

"And we have to remember, he's not alone," added a senior officer. "He has many contacts who might try to rescue him or help from the outside. We need to ensure he can't move freely."

They all agreed, even though the decision would make monitoring Peter more difficult. They were planning to move him in the coming days. Peter would be transferred to a more secure prison, a place more hidden with no room for freedom.

"If he's really as dangerous as reported, we need to make sure he's in a place where no one can reach him," the younger officer said with a firm voice. "We need to be more careful this time. We can't let him escape again."

Meanwhile, deep inside his cell, Peter felt an unusual presence. Something that felt like a dark wave was closing in. He knew that a more secure prison would only tighten his grip. But he also knew he wouldn't give up that easily.

What would happen next? Peter would need to be smarter and quicker in planning his next move.

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