Chapter Nine.

Xena lounged on the couch, flipping through TV channels aimlessly, her mind elsewhere. The soft glow of the screen flickered across her face as her finger moved automatically over the remote.

Then, her thumb froze as she landed on a news broadcast. The reporter's urgent tone caught her attention, and she paused to listen.

Her brows furrowed as the words sank in.

"We're reporting live from the scene of a violent rampage at the popular nightclub, Rush Hour. Gunfire erupted earlier tonight, leaving multiple casualties and chaos inside. The police have surrounded the area, but the situation remains volatile. Several people are believed to still be trapped inside."

Xena's breath caught in her throat. Her heart pounded as she stared at the screen. The camera panned to show the club's flashing neon sign:

Rush Hour..

Her blood ran cold.

"Elena... Oh my God." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Panic surged through her veins, and before she could rationalize her actions, she bolted off the couch.

The remote clattered to the floor as she ran out of the apartment, her bare feet padding down the hallway. She reached the elevator and jabbed the button repeatedly, willing it to arrive faster.

"Please, please, please..." she murmured under her breath, her hands shaking.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. She rushed inside, her heart hammering so loudly it drowned out her thoughts. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and worst-case scenarios.

By the time she reached the street, the cool night air bit at her skin, but she barely noticed. She flagged down the first taxi she saw, her movements frantic.

"Please! Rush Hour!" she cried as she climbed into the backseat.

The driver turned in his seat, his face a mixture of concern and hesitation.

"Ma'am, you sure you want to go there? That place is-"

"Please, I beg you." Xena interrupted, her voice breaking. "My friend is there. I need to find her!"

The desperation in her tone silenced the driver. He studied her for a moment in the rearview mirror, noting her pale face and wide, terrified eyes.

"Alright." he relented, starting the engine. "But are you not cold?"

Xena glanced down at herself, only then realizing she was still in her pajamas-a loose top and shorts. The chill seeped into her skin, but she shook her head.

"It doesn't matter." she whispered. "Please, just drive."

The taxi pulled away from the curb, and Xena wrapped her arms around herself, not to ward off the cold, but to stop her body from trembling.

As the car weaved through the streets of New York, she pressed her hands together tightly in her lap, silently praying for Elena's safety.

Each minute felt like an eternity. The driver occasionally glanced at her in the mirror, but she didn't notice. Her eyes were fixed ahead, her mind replaying the news broadcast over and over.

The sirens grew louder as they neared the club. The driver slowed down, the flashing red and blue lights reflecting off the nearby buildings.

"This is as close as I can get." he said apologetically.

Xena nodded, fumbling to pay him before climbing out of the car. The scene before her was chaotic-police cars, ambulances, and crowds of bystanders gathered behind barricades.

The club's entrance was cordoned off, but she could see the devastation in the distance.

She froze for a moment, her legs trembling as fear gripped her. Then, summoning every ounce of courage, she pushed through the throng of people, her voice trembling but determined.

"Excuse me! My friend is in there!" she pleaded with one of the officers blocking the entrance.

"Ma'am, you need to stay back." the officer said firmly.

"No, you don't understand! She's inside, and I have to find her!"

"Ma'am, it's not safe." the officer insisted, but Xena wasn't listening. Her desperation took over, and she tried to push past him, but another officer grabbed her arm, pulling her back.

"Please! Her name is Elena! Just tell me if she's okay!" Xena cried, tears streaming down her face.

The officer softened slightly, his grip loosening. "What's her full name?"

"Elena Marino!" Xena choked out.

The officer exchanged a glance with his colleague.

"Stay here." he said, stepping away to check with the team.

Xena stood rooted to the spot, her heart racing. Every second felt like a lifetime. She scanned the chaotic scene, praying to catch a glimpse of Elena, praying she was safe, praying she wasn't too late.

The officers were no closer to helping her, their focus seemingly elsewhere, and panic began to take over.

She felt utterly helpless until she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye.

A young man slipped out of an alley near the club, his figure barely visible in the dim light. He moved quickly, glancing over his shoulder as if ensuring he hadn’t been seen.

Xena’s heart skipped a beat as she realized where the alley led—it connected to the back of the club.

Glancing back at the distracted officers, she took a deep breath.

Her hands trembled, and her chest tightened with fear, but desperation for Elena’s safety propelled her forward.

Without a second thought, she slipped away from the crowd and into the alley, the dim light casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Her steps were cautious yet hurried, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps.

She reached the back door of the club. It was slightly ajar, creaking as it swayed in the wind. Xena hesitated for a brief moment, her pulse pounding in her ears.

But she clenched her fists, summoning her courage, she open the door.

The inside was dark and eerily silent, save for the faint hum of muffled chaos in the distance.

The air was heavy with the metallic scent of blood, and a chill ran down her spine. She took a hesitant step forward, her bare feet stepping softly against the floor.

Her breathing was labored, each breath louder than she wanted it to be.

She moved cautiously, peering into one room after another. The emptiness and dim light made every shadow seem alive, every sound a potential threat.

“Elena.” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Elena, where are you?”

Her own voice felt small and lost in the oppressive silence.

She rounded another corner and found herself in a hallway. At the far end, faint light spilled in from the main hall.

Taking slow, deliberate steps, Xena approached. When she reached the edge of the hall, she froze. Her stomach lurched at the sight before her.