Chapter 6: Rooftop Reckoning

The old textile mill stood like a rotting skeleton on the edge of the industrial district, its broken windows staring blindly into the night. Rain had stopped hours ago, leaving the air thick and cold. Lila arrived alone at 1:55 a.m., driving one of the nondescript black sedans from the garage no armored convoy, no Zade, no Ethan. She left her phone in the car, the golden pistol tucked into the small of her back under a long black coat. Every instinct screamed this was suicide, yet she climbed the rusted fire escape anyway, heels clicking on metal until she reached the roof.