Night had fallen, and the hospital was now enveloped in a deep, almost unsettling silence. The only sounds that remained were the occasional soft footsteps of nurses and the steady beeping of medical equipment. A young nurse entered the room quietly, her gaze focused and attentive as she approached Ethan’s bedside. She handled the disinfectant with delicate precision, gently cleaning the area around the wound on Ethan’s head. Though her touch was feather-light, Ethan couldn’t help but flinch slightly, a flicker of pain crossing his face.

Once finished with Ethan, the nurse turned to Aria, who was sitting on the other side of the room, entirely absorbed in learning how to use her phone. Over the past few days, she had quickly mastered the basics of making calls, sending messages, and even browsing the internet—her fingers tapping across the screen like she was unlocking a new world.

Several days later, both Ethan and Aria were recovering rapidly. Their energy had returned, their eyes bright with renewed vitality. A soldier had brought them fresh clothes, their old uniforms from the Omega Fortress long discarded—they were too recognizable, too dangerous to wear, especially with Caesar’s men still on their trail.

Ethan chose a black jacket, blue jeans, and a pair of sneakers. After slipping into the clothes, he turned toward Aria, who gave him a nod of approval without a word.

“Try this, Ethan,” Aria said, her voice laced with excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Ethan stepped into the room to change, and five minutes later, he emerged looking strong and sharp. The jacket fit snugly around his shoulders, highlighting his muscular frame, making him look like an agent ready for action—tough, capable, and undeniably handsome.

It was Aria’s turn next. After a moment of consideration, she selected a light purple dress and a black-and-white striped scarf. She disappeared into the dressing room, and ten minutes later, she stepped out, transformed.

Her beauty took Ethan’s breath away. The light purple dress accentuated her graceful figure, while the scarf added a touch of sophistication. Aria’s transformation left Ethan momentarily stunned, as if time itself had paused in her presence.

As Ethan looked at Aria—usually tough as nails, always a tomboy—now standing before him transformed into a graceful, almost delicate figure, something stirred deep inside him. It was subtle, like the flicker of a match in a dark room, a feeling he wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge. She was beautiful, yes, but it was more than that. Seeing her like this, so different, so... soft, it threw him off balance in a way he hadn’t expected.

Of course, he’d never let that show. His mouth curled into the familiar smirk he always wore when something caught him off guard. “Well, well... Look at you,” he said, his voice dripping with the usual sarcasm. “I didn’t know you had this side, princess.” Inside, though, the words felt hollow, a mask over the quiet pulse of admiration he wouldn’t dare speak aloud.

“Ethan?” Aria’s voice gently pulled him out of his daze, soft but firm, grounding him back to reality.

“Uh, right,” Ethan shook his head, quickly regaining his composure. “I think it’s missing something.” He walked over to the pile of clothes and picked out a pair of sunglasses and a bandana. Placing the sunglasses on Aria’s face and wrapping the bandana around her head, he stepped back to admire his handiwork.

“Don’t forget,” Ethan said with a smirk, a trace of pride in his voice, “you’re a famous actress. The deeper the disguise, the safer you’ll be.”

Minutes later, the doctor performed one last check on them, confirming that they were fully recovered. His approval felt like a key turning in a lock, granting them the freedom they had so desperately craved.

As they stepped outside into the sunlight, the warmth on their skin felt like a gentle reminder that they were alive—and free. They paused for a moment, savoring the sensation of release, the long-forgotten feeling of hope flickering to life in their hearts.

Suddenly, Ethan’s phone chimed. He glanced at the screen and read a new message: "Go to the Secamonx Racetrack. Find a man named Joseph Bonanno."

Ethan and Aria exchanged a glance, their minds racing. The name and place were unfamiliar, but the urgency in the message was unmistakable.

The bustling streets outside mirrored the swirl of emotions within them. The chaotic energy of the world seemed amplified as they navigated through the crowds—street vendors, blaring car horns, and the chatter of strangers filling the air. It was all so different from the rigid, controlled environment of Omega Fortress, a stark reminder that they were now in a world bursting with life, both exhilarating and unpredictable.

“Do you think we can trust this Joseph Bonanno?” Aria asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. The name had a dangerous edge to it, and she couldn’t shake the sense of unease it stirred in her.

“We don’t have a choice,” Ethan replied, his voice steady as his fist tightened at his side. His eyes were full of determination. “If Sherry sent us this message, it must mean something. We’ll find out soon enough.”