Daniel, standing in the grocery store line, flips through his phone absentmindedly, battling the boredom that has settled since he dropped out of school. His mind wanders to the desire to be back in school, engaged in activities that stimulate both his intellect and energy. "This grocery shopping thing is killing me," he mutters to himself, glancing around the store. He was currently waiting in line to pay for the groceries he got but the wait had been long because one customer kept complaining that the machine overcharge him and the staff were trying to calm him down. His phone rings, interrupting his thoughts, and he sees Madeline's name on the screen. Answering, he hears her ask about his whereabouts. "Hey, Maddy, I'm at the grocery store. What's up?" Daniel responds, attempting to sound casual. Madeline, her voice a mix of nonchalance and curiosity, inquires about his location. Daniel, puzzled, asks, "Why the sudden interest? Are you planning a surprise visit or something?" Made

As Stephanie arrives at the airport, Madeline and Jake anxiously wait by the entrance. Daniel, sitting in the driver's seat of the inconspicuous car they borrowed, looks at Stephanie approaching and unlocks the doors for her. Stephanie hops in, holding a small package securely. Madeline greets her, "Steph, you're a lifesaver. Let's get going." They drive to a store to get a disguise for Jake. While they wait in the car, Jake taps his fingers on the steering wheel, a mix of anxiety and anticipation in the air. Daniel, checking the time on his phone, mutters, "Steph is taking longer than expected." Madeline, fidgeting with the fake necklace in her hands, chimes in, "Yeah, we can't afford any more complications. This whole plan is hanging on a delicate thread." Finally, Stephanie returns with a bag containing a suit and various disguises for Jake. She hands it over, saying, "Here you go, Jake. A little transformation for our distraction expert." Jake smirks, examining the contents of the

Ashton, in the dimly lit basement of the gang's hideout, fights against his weakened state, sustained only by the thought of Marie. His spirit dims as he hears the distant echoes of footsteps and the clanging of the heavy gate. A guard announces the arrival of visitors, leaving Ashton puzzled and wary. The door creaks open, revealing a harsh light, and to Ashton's disbelief and joy, Marie and Amanda are forcefully thrown into the dank room. Despite his weakened state, Ashton summons his strength to catch Marie before she hits the unforgiving floor. Their eyes meet, and a flood of emotions rushes through Ashton—relief, concern, and an overwhelming sense of love. He forgets the pain momentarily, clutching Marie tightly. Marie, feeling Ashton's embrace, forgets the harsh reality of their situation for a moment. She clings to him, tears streaming down her face. Ashton, weak but determined, whispers, "I thought I lost you." Marie, barely holding back her sobs, manages a small smile, "You

As Daniel goes back to explaining the layout of the warehouse Madeline asks him how they'll create a distraction. " I think we finally understand the layout of the building, so how do we get inside, how do we create a distraction the will definitely draw then away from the warehouse so we could get in." Daniel sighs "you guys shouldn't freak out.....i..uhm......tony and his guys are going to cause the distraction." They all pause Wondering what he is talking about. Daniel tells them " tony is going to get us some guys to fight with us. They a look at each other all surprised. Jake is the first one to break the silence. Jake, crossing his arms skeptically, raises an eyebrow at Daniel. "So, let me get this straight. We're bringing in a bunch of guys we don't know, hoping they'll fight for us because they don't like the gang's leadership?" Jake leans forward skepticism written all over his face as he asks again"So, we're supposed to trust a bunch of unknown guys to join us in a fight ag

The next day arrived and Tony's men came to the house to prepare. the atmosphere buzzed with tension as the group prepared for the impending confrontation. Madeline nervously fiddled with the necklace Jake gave her, exchanging glances with Stephanie, whose eyes mirrored the same anxiety. The guys, armed and ready, exchanged banter that barely concealed their own unease. Tony, trying to lighten the mood, cracked a joke about how they should have brought popcorn for the show. Jake, attempting to mask his nerves, responded with a forced chuckle, "Popcorn would be great if this were a movie, not our lives hanging in the balance." As dusk settled in, they gathered in the living room to strategize. Tony outlined the plan, emphasizing each person's role. Madeline suggested a diversion to flank their opponents. Stephanie, chimed in, "But how do we ensure everyone's safety? We can't afford to lose anyone." The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of their predicament settling on their sho