"Simulation terminated," ALPHA's voice echoed in my ears.

"Again," Dr. Meyers said, the edge of anxiety creeping into his voice.

The training room reset for the eleventh time. The simulated cityscape flickered back into place, casting eerie shadows on the virtual streets.

"Alex, you’re still not quite ready," Dr. Meyers said, his tone heavy with worry. "The Consortium is not going to be easy to get to, let alone infiltrate. You need to be flawless."

"I know," I snapped through gritted teeth, frustration bubbling under the surface. "I know."

I clenched my fists, flexing my fingers as I tried to push down the anger welling up inside me. The past ten attempts replayed in my mind like a broken record—each one marred by a split-second hesitation or a minor misstep. Close wasn’t good enough. Not for this.

"Let’s start again," Dr. Meyers urged, his voice softer this time, trying to steady me. "This isn’t about brute force, Alex. It’s precision, adaptability. Every move matters."

I sighed, letting my breath shudder out as I centered myself. ALPHA’s voice chimed in, calm and calculating. "Shall I adjust the parameters to simulate heightened difficulty or maintain the current level?"

"Heightened," I said, my jaw set. "Make it harder."

Dr. Meyers raised an eyebrow but didn’t protest. "ALPHA, initiate the advanced sequence," he instructed, his fingers tightening on the console.

The world around me shifted again. The streets became narrower, the shadows deeper. Civilians bustled through the simulation, and hidden snipers now occupied rooftops. My target was somewhere inside a towering virtual replica of The Consortium headquarters, guarded by enhanced ACE soldiers.

"Your objective remains the same," ALPHA intoned. "Locate and neutralize your target. Avoid detection."

The countdown began: Three. Two. One. Execute.

I bolted into action, my mind hyper-focused as ALPHA fed me real-time probabilities and tactical suggestions. The first sniper fired from a rooftop, the crack of the simulated bullet echoing through the air. I ducked and rolled, feeling the wind of its trajectory pass close. Using the environment to my advantage, I slipped into a narrow alley, scaling the side of a building to neutralize the sniper before he had a chance to reload.

"Threat neutralized," ALPHA reported.

Dr. Meyers watched from the control room, his eyes darting between the live feed and the data on his screen. "Good. Stay sharp," he murmured.

I moved swiftly, weaving through the simulation, every motion deliberate. Each encounter was a test—a group of ACE guards patrolling a plaza, a security drone scanning alleyways. ALPHA’s guidance helped me predict their movements, but the execution was all mine.

At one point, I slipped, the heel of my boot skidding on loose gravel as I darted across a rooftop. A sniper spotted me, his laser sight tracing a bead on my chest.

"Incoming," ALPHA warned.

I dove behind cover, firing back with pinpoint accuracy. The sniper fell, but I could feel Dr. Meyers’ disapproval through the monitor. "That hesitation could have gotten you killed," his voice crackled in my earpiece.

"I didn’t hesitate," I growled, my frustration mounting. But deep down, I knew he was right. Every delay was a potential failure, and failure wasn’t an option.

The simulation grew more chaotic, the challenges compounding as I pushed myself to the limit. My muscles ached, my heart pounded, but I pressed on. This wasn’t just training—it was survival. It was redemption.

Finally, I reached the target: a room filled with servers and the simulated image of Ashcroft. His digital likeness sneered at me, taunting. I hesitated for only a fraction of a second before raising my weapon and firing. The target disintegrated into pixels.

"Objective complete," ALPHA declared. "Simulation successful."

I stood there, catching my breath as the simulation dissolved around me. Dr. Meyers stepped into the room, his expression a mix of relief and scrutiny.

"Better," he said, folding his arms. "But not perfect."

I met his gaze, defiance and determination burning in my chest. "Then we go again," I said. "Until it is."

I pushed myself through the simulation three more times, each run inching closer to perfection but still falling short. Every stumble, every slight hesitation gnawed at me, but I refused to stop. My muscles burned with fatigue, but I ignored it. I had to get this right.

On the last attempt, I moved with precision, taking out guards and navigating traps with an almost mechanical efficiency. I was in control—or so I thought.

The final sequence loaded: a shadowed hallway leading to the main server room. My target awaited me behind the reinforced door. I advanced cautiously, my weapon ready. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, his steps deliberate and unhurried.

Jacob.

My breath caught, my chest tightening as though an iron fist had closed around my ribs. His face was exactly as I remembered: the sharp lines of his jaw, the cold glint in his eyes, and that cruel, familiar smirk.

"Hello, Alex," he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

I froze. My weapon trembled in my grip.

"You’ve come a long way," he continued, stepping closer. "But you’re still just a scared little girl on a rooftop."

My mind betrayed me, dragging me back to that fateful moment. The colors blurred, the sounds of the simulation distorted as I was plunged into the memory.

I was there again, on the roof, backing away from him. My heel hit the edge, nowhere left to run. His hand lashed out, striking my face, his wedding band cutting into my cheek. The sneer on his face was etched into my mind as he shoved me, sending me spiraling into the void.

I felt myself falling, the wind roaring past me.

And then... darkness.

"Simulation terminated," ALPHA announced, her voice calm and steady as the virtual environment dissolved around me.

I blinked, disoriented and drenched in cold sweat. My knees buckled, and I dropped to the floor, shaking.

"Alex!" Dr. Meyers was at my side in an instant, his hands gripping my shoulders. "What happened? Are you alright?"

I couldn’t answer. The words were trapped in my throat, suffocated by the lingering terror. My hands curled into fists, my nails digging into my palms.

ALPHA’s voice broke the silence. "The simulation encountered an emotional override. A memory flashback disrupted the subject's focus."

Dr. Meyers swore under his breath, pulling me to my feet. "We’re done for today," he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

"But—" I started, my voice trembling.

"No," he said, his eyes burning with concern. "Not like this. You need rest."

I didn’t fight him. The image of Jacob’s smirk still lingered, taunting me. The rooftop wasn’t just a memory—it was a scar, one I couldn’t outrun. And now, it was my greatest obstacle.