They glanced at each other for a moment, tension thick between them, before returning to their  problems.

Bethany bent to pick up her phone, her shaky hands fumbling as she clutched it tightly against her chest.

 Fred dialed a number with swift precision, his jaw tight as he spoke into the phone.Fred exhaled sharply, breaking the silence.

 “I know I said 48 hours,” he barked, his voice low and urgent, “but I need to get out of here. Now.” His words resounded in the small space, leaving Bethany frozen in her corner, her wide eyes darting toward him.

Suddenly, the elevator doors parted with a soft chime. Standing in the...