Milan — Abandoned railway depot
Time seemed frozen.
Vera pulled at the thin chains binding Luca, her fingers trembling with urgency.
The smoke from the distraction was starting to thin, and more organized shouts rose from the guards.
There wasn't much time.
Enzo appeared at the barrack's entrance, panting.
— Hurry! They're regrouping!
Vera found a small, rusted padlock securing the main chain.
Without hesitation, she drew a small blade from her belt.
She tried to break the lock — uselessly.
Then, without thinking, she pulled out her pistol and fired a sharp, precise shot.
The noise exploded like a cannon blast inside a tomb.
But the padlock shattered.
Luca stumbled forward, weak, his eyes brimming with restrained tears.
Vera slipped her arm under his shoulders.
— We're getting out of here, — she said.
Enzo rushed to help.
But the first real gunshot — fired by the guards — cracked across the warehouse.
It was followed by shouted alarms.
— GO! — Enzo bellowed.
Vera, supporting Luca with all her strength, sprinted for the exit.
Bullets whistled around them, slicing through the air, ricocheting off steel beams.
Other resistance fighters joined in, throwing up an improvised barrier with crates and scrap metal.
The escape plan had begun — but now it was a desperate race against death.
And Vera knew:
She couldn't fail. Not with Luca at her side.