Shadows of Naples: Code Lightning.

Night. A hidden underground room in one of the hangars on the outskirts of Rome. The metal walls muffled the outside world; there was no clock, no sense of time—only silence and tension hanging in the air like the calm before a storm. On the old wooden table lay an unfolded map of Naples, alongside tablets with satellite images, printed photographs, and blueprints of the mansion. Sofia leaned over the map, tracing the suggested route with her finger. Her gaze was sharp, focused—but inside, a storm raged. “The mansion is on a hill slope. Entering through the main gate is suicide. Here,” she pointed to the rear wall, “there’s a service entrance for deliveries. This is the route we’ll take.” Javier nodded silently, while Luca frowned. “There’s CCTV, armed guards, and dogs. If we get caught—no chance.” “That’s exactly why we can’t give them a chance,” James interjected, tossing a thin folder labeled ‘Operational Information’ onto the table. “I have the guard schedule, the codes for the checkpoint, and fake delivery documents. We enter in a truck with frozen goods—the cargo hold will have space for Sofia and Javier to hide. Luca and I will be in the cabin.” Sofia looked up at James. “Reliable?” “It’s the best I could do without taking down the police system. If they suspect anything, you’ll have exactly three minutes to get the girl and vanish.” Silence fell. They all exchanged glances. “Her name is Belinda,” Sofia said quietly. “She’s younger than Federico, seventeen. If we don’t take her now, tomorrow may be too late.” Luca clicked his fingers. “Alright. Then what? We grab her and leave in the truck?” “No,” Javier intervened. “The exit will be another way. As soon as we reach her, a signal will go to James, and he’ll create a diversion at the main entrance. We’ll go through the basement—there’s a service exit into the woods. A car with a driver will be waiting there.” Everyone nodded. The plan was simple, like a Swiss watch. And just as risky. Sofia stepped to the window, gripping the edge of the sill. “This isn’t just an operation. This is the last chance. If we save her—we get a chance to destroy Alícia. If not… she’ll break someone else.” Javier placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll do it. Together.” And though the night outside seemed deep and hopeless—their eyes ignited with light. Hope. The drive for victory. It was only the first night. But it could change everything. --- Sofia stood by the old wooden table, covered with the mansion’s map. Her gaze was focused, but her eyes shone with worry. Javier approached from behind, placing his hands on her shoulders. “You still have a chance to stay behind. I could go with Luca and James alone,” he said quietly. “Leave you alone? Not funny, Javier. This is our mission. Our risk.” He looked at her with a soft smile. “I know… I just see that you’re worried.” Sofia lowered her gaze for a moment, then sighed and turned to him. “I’m not worried about myself. I’m afraid of losing you. We haven’t even won yet, and I’m already afraid this night will take something from us.” Javier hugged her silently, strongly and sincerely. “We’ll make it. Together. As always.” “Promise me that if something goes wrong… you won’t be a hero. You’ll stay alive. For me.” “And you promise to stick by my side. Not a step away.” Sofia nodded. Their fingers intertwined. “I promise. Together—or not at all.” They embraced again. This time longer, slower. Outside, the sky darkened gradually. Ahead lay the most dangerous night of their lives. --- The night wrapped the mansion on the outskirts of Naples like a velvet curtain. The old stone house, usually lit with floodlights and glowing windows, now stood in unusual darkness. Not a sign of movement. No guards. No usual barking dogs in the garden. “Is this a trap?” Luca whispered, peeking from behind the van’s doors. “Or… they don’t know we’re coming,” Sofia guessed, gripping her pistol under her jacket. James stepped onto the property first, eyes scanning the perimeter for cameras or laser sensors. But nothing—no sound, no movement. “Too quiet,” Javier muttered. “For a place holding a hostage.” They split up: Luca and Sofia covering, James and Javier moving deeper into the mansion, heading to the right wing. According to the plan, that’s where Belinda’s room should be. The corridors were silent. The walls were old, plaster worn, and the air smelled of dampness and mold. Only the dim light of emergency lamps illuminated the way. “There she is,” James whispered, stopping at a large wooden door reinforced with metal. He nodded to Javier. Javier carefully pressed the handle. The lock clicked. The door creaked open softly. Inside—a large room. Empty, gray, with a single bed against the wall. On it lay a girl with dark hair, in a thin shirt, wrapped in a blanket. Her face was pale and drawn, eyes frightened. “Belinda?” Javier whispered. She lifted her head. A faint smile appeared on her lips. She recognized the name. “We’re here to get you. It’s okay,” Sofia said quietly. Javier approached the bed, kneeling to avoid frightening her. “Belinda,” he said gently. “We’re friends. We’re here to take you out of here. You’re safe.” The girl blinked, as if she didn’t believe it, but then nodded slightly. “She’s weak,” Luca whispered, leaning closer. “We need to help her and go.” Javier carefully helped Belinda to her feet. She leaned on him, legs trembling, but hope shone in her eyes. James checked the room once more, made sure there were no traps, and nodded: “Quick. Let’s move.” Javier supported Belinda at the waist; her body seemed weightless, fragile. James, Luca, and Sofia went ahead, carefully opening doors. The corridor was dim, no sound, only the faint hum of the lamps. They advanced step by step, hearts beating louder with every second. “Almost at the exit,” James said. “A little further.” But when they reached the fork in the corridor, everything changed. The lights flickered. One… two… three times—and then went out completely. The corridor plunged into total darkness. Belinda clutched Javier in fear. “What the…” Sofia began, when suddenly a silhouette appeared in the faint glow ahead. Right in front of the door stood a figure—motionless, like a shadow in the dark. Their face was hidden beneath a hood or in shadow, but when they spoke, the voice was clear, penetrating, leaving no doubt. “Think it’s that simple?” the figure tilted their head. “Playing heroes… But the world isn’t a fairy tale.” Javier stepped forward instinctively, shielding Belinda. “Who the hell are you?” The figure didn’t move. Silence hung like a stretched string. Then—a sinister smile, invisible yet felt, as if it resonated through the very tone of their voice. “You’ve walked right into it.”