Regine and James were guarded when Mark introduced himself. They had just made new friends in Alex, Maya, and Ben, and they didn't want to get too close to anyone else without knowing more about them.
"It's nice to meet you, Mark," Regine said. "Why are you here?"
Mark smiled. "I'm here to help," he said. "I know about Sarah, and I want to help you find her. She has escaped from prison."
Regine and James exchanged glances. They were skeptical, but they were also curious.
"How do you know about Sarah?" James asked.
"I have my ways," Mark said evasively. "But that's not important. What's important is that I want to help you."
Regine and James didn't know what to say. They didn't trust Mark, but they also couldn't deny that he was offering something they needed.
"We'll have to think about it," Regine said.
"That's all I ask," Mark said. "Just think about it."
Mark turned and walked away, leaving Regine and James alone.
"What do you think?" Regine asked.
"I don't know," James said. "Something about him is off."
"I agree," Regine said. "But we need all the help we can get."
Regine and James decided to keep an eye on Mark and see what he did. They didn't trust him, but they were also willing to give him a chance.
The next day, Regine and James were in the library studying when Mark walked up to them.
"I've been thinking about what you said," Mark said. "And I've decided that I can help you more than you think."
"How?" Regine asked.
"I know where Sarah is hiding," Mark said.
Regine and James's eyes widened. "You do?" James asked.
"Yes," Mark said. "And I can take you to her."
Regine and James hesitated. They didn't trust Mark, but they also couldn't afford to pass up this opportunity.
"Okay," Regine said. "We'll go with you."
Mark smiled. "Good," he said. "But first, you need to know something."
Mark leaned in close and whispered in Regine's ear. Regine's eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
Mark nodded. "I'm sure," he said. "Now, let's go."
Mark led Regine and James out of the library and down the street to a black SUV. He opened the back door and gestured for them to get in.
Regine and James hesitated for a moment, then got in the SUV. Mark closed the door and got into the driver's seat.
"Where are we going?" Regine asked.
"To Sarah's hideout," Mark said. "But be warned, it's not going to be easy."
Mark started the SUV and drove away. Regine and James looked at each other, unsure of what to expect.
What is Mark's secret? What will Regine, James, and Mark find at Sarah's hideout? Will they be able to defeat Sarah once and for all? Or will she finally get her revenge?
Regine and James looked at each other in surprise as Mark whispered his secret in Regine's ear.
"Sarah is my sister," Mark said.
Regine's eyes widened. "But why are you helping us?" she asked.
"Because I don't want her to hurt anyone else," Mark said. "She's a dangerous woman, and I need your help to stop her."
Regine and James hesitated. They didn't trust Mark completely, but they also knew that he was offering them their only chance to stop Sarah.
"Okay," Regine said. "We'll help you."
Mark smiled. "Good," he said. "Now, let's go."
Regine and James looked at each other, unsure of what to expect.
One hour later
Mark pulled up to a large mansion on the outskirts of town.
"This is it," he said. "Sarah's hideout."
Regine and James looked at the mansion in awe. It was even more impressive than they had imagined.
"How are we going to get in?" James asked.
"I have my ways," Mark said.
Mark got out of the SUV and walked to the front door. He rang the doorbell, and a moment later, the door opened.
A tall, muscular man stood in the doorway. He was wearing a black suit and sunglasses.
"Mark," the man said. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Sarah," Mark said.
The man frowned. "She's not here," he said.
"That's not what I heard," Mark said. "I know she's inside."
The man hesitated. "Fine," he said. "You can come in."
The man stood aside and Mark walked into the mansion. Regine and James followed close behind.
The mansion was even more impressive inside than it was outside. The walls were lined with expensive paintings, and the floors were covered with Persian rugs.
"Where is Sarah?" Mark asked.
"She's in her room," the man said. "Follow me."
The man led Mark, Regine, and James down a long hallway and up a flight of stairs. He stopped in front of a large door.
"This is it," he said.
The man knocked on the door and a moment later, the door opened.
Sarah stood in the doorway. She was wearing a black dress and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She looked even more dangerous than Regine and James had imagined.
"Mark," Sarah said. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to stop you, Sarah," Mark said. "You've gone too far."
Sarah laughed. "You can't stop me," she said. "I'm too powerful for you."
"We'll see about that," Mark said.
Mark, Regine, and James stepped into Sarah's room. The man who had led them there closed the door behind them.
Sarah smiled. "Now, let's have some fun," she said.
Sarah raised her fist and lunged at Mark. Mark dodged her punch and threw a punch of his own. Sarah blocked his punch and threw a punch of her own.
Regine and James joined the fight, and soon the room was filled with the sound of punches and kicks.
Sarah was a skilled fighter, but Regine and James were outnumbered and outmatched. They knew that they couldn't defeat her in a straight fight.
They had to think of a plan.
Regine and James are outnumbered and outmatched. Will they be able to defeat Sarah and save their friend, Mark?