They moved on, traveling to another site, where the destruction was even worse. Here, the air smelled like death—like burning flesh and gasoline. It was a nightmare, an unholy scene that no one would ever forget.

Mike’s phone rang again. The unknown number. Without hesitation, he answered, the sick feeling in his stomach returning.

“Mike.” The voice on the other end was cold and taunting.

“The Engineer,” Mike said flatly, already dreading what came next.

“You know what’s happening, don’t you, Officer Carter?” The Engineer’s voice echoed through the line, his laugh cruel and steady. “Your city, your people… all part of my plan. And what’s more, you’re too late to stop it.”

Dan snatched the phone from Mike’s hand. “Stop it, you sick bastard! What do you want from us?”

The Engineer’s laugh rang out again, harsh and mocking. “I want you to understand the chaos you’ve helped create. You and your little partner—you’re both playing right into my hands. And you’ll never stop me.”

“Shut up!” Dan shouted, his voice shaking with anger. “You’re going to pay for this!”

But the Engineer just laughed again, his voice crackling in Dan’s ear. “You can threaten me all you like. But your city is already in flames. I’ve already won.”

Dan slammed the phone down, his heart pounding in his chest. Mike didn’t say a word as they stood in the middle of the wreckage, the weight of the Engineer’s words sinking in.

They had underestimated him. Now, the city would pay the price.