**Chapter 17: Shadows of Deception**

The darkness seemed to have a life of its own, swirling around them like a living entity. Kyle stumbled, his foot catching on a loose board, and Lena's grip on his hand tightened. They had to keep moving, had to find a way out of this labyrinthine mansion and away from Marcus's twisted plans. As they navigated the darkness, Kyle's ears strained to pick up any sound that might indicate the presence of others. He had a feeling that they weren't alone in the mansion, that there were others who might be willing to help them. But who could they trust? Suddenly, Lena's hand relaxed, and she pulled him to a stop. "Do you hear that?" she whispered. Kyle listened, and after a moment, he heard it too - the faint sound of footsteps, light and cautious, coming from somewhere down the hall. The footsteps stopped, and Kyle felt a presence watching them. A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing, with eyes that gleamed like embers in the dark. Kyle's heart skipped a beat as the figure stepped closer, its features illuminated by a faint, flickering light. It was a woman, her face pale and drawn, with a look of determination etched on her features. "You have to be careful," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Marcus has set up traps all over the mansion. He's not going to let you leave without a fight." Lena's grip on Kyle's hand tightened. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice firm. The woman hesitated, her eyes darting back and forth between them. "My name is Sophia," she said finally. "I used to work for Marcus, but I discovered what he was really doing here. I knew I had to get out, but... but I couldn't leave without warning someone." Kyle's mind was racing. Could they trust Sophia? Or was she just another pawn in Marcus's game? Sophia seemed to sense his doubts. "I know I don't look like much," she said, her voice bitter. "But I've been trying to sabotage Marcus's plans from the inside. I can help you escape, but we have to be quick. He'll know you're trying to leave soon, and he'll do everything in his power to stop you." Lena's eyes narrowed. "Why should we trust you?" she asked. Sophia's face twisted into a wry smile. "Because I have nothing to gain and everything to lose," she said. "I've been playing a double game for months, trying to gather evidence against Marcus. But I need your help to bring him down." Kyle exchanged a glance with Lena, and he could see the calculation in her eyes. They had no choice but to trust Sophia, not yet. But as they followed her through the winding corridors, Kyle couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with tension, as they moved deeper into the mansion. Kyle's senses were on high alert, his heart pounding in his chest. They were running out of time, and he knew that soon, they would have to face Marcus and his minions in a desperate bid for freedom. As they turned a corner, Sophia stopped, her head cocked to one side. "Wait," she whispered. "Do you hear that?" Kyle listened, and after a moment, he heard it too - the sound of footsteps, heavy and deliberate, coming from the room ahead. Marcus's voice echoed through the hallway, his words dripping with malice. "Ah, my little guests," he said. "I see you're trying to escape. But you'll never make it out of here alive." Kyle's heart sank, and he felt a surge of fear. They were trapped, and Marcus was closing in. But Sophia's grip on his arm tightened, and she pulled him into a nearby doorway. "Hide," she whispered. "And don't make a sound."