The Scars I Don’t Hide
[Abandoned Factory – 1:12 AM | Rain tapping on the broken windows]
Luka
You brought me here in the middle of the night. Why?
Zoya
Because this place doesn’t lie like the reports do.
Luka
You're not making sense.
Zoya
(quietly):
Let me make it.
[Private Chat – Zoya & Luka, Factory Basement]
Zoya
You think I’ve been hiding things? You're right.
But not for the reason you think.
This isn’t just a case, Luka. It’s a murder—from 2009.
Her name was Mari. She was 18. Kind. Sharp. Lived in an orphanage with nothing but hope and a dream.
She found out someone in that system was selling infants. Abusing trust. She tried to get one newborn out.
And she died for it.
Zoya
My first case. My first scar. I was fresh. Idealistic. Assigned to shadow a senior agent—Zion Ray.
He was more than a partner. He was my best friend. And we were so close to cracking it wide open.
Then came one call. One setup.
One bullet.
He saved me. Took the shot meant for me.
Zoya
No. Worse.
He's been in a coma for 2 years. Hooked to wires. His little girl—two years old—waits every day at the hospital window.
Zoya
And I live with the guilt of walking out of that factory alive when he didn't.
I thought it was over. I told myself it was over.
Until I saw the same symbol. The same silence in Jason's eyes.
Luka
So you're saying this isn’t just a repeat. It’s a continuation?
Zoya
Yes. Someone survived from back then. Someone’s cleaning up the past.
And now, kids are back in the middle of it.
And I can’t—I won’t—walk away.
Zoya
[Zoya Takes a Deep Breath]
Zoya
So if you want out, Luka, now’s the time.
But if you stay, I want Alya and Zain in on this.
They know me. They know Zion. And they won't question the line I’m about to cross if it means getting to the truth.
Luka
(after a long pause):
I’ve never believed in emotion as a weapon.
But watching you?
I’ve never seen anyone fight harder with it.
I’m in.
[FBI Internal Chat – Zoya, Zain, Alya]
Alya
We’ve been waiting for you to say that.
Zoya
This case—it’s Mari. And it’s Zion.
And I think someone we couldn’t find... is still watching us.
[Zoya’s Journal – 3:14 AM]
Zoya
I told him.
Every word. Every wound.
And for the first time... Luka didn’t look at me like I was broken.
He looked at me like I was right.
Tomorrow, we don’t just investigate.
We dig up graves that were never buried properly.
And I swear...
Whoever’s behind this?
They don’t get to win this time.
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