**Chapter 6: The Weight of Secrets**

As Hange's words hung in the air, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of questions. What project could be so important that it had put him in danger? Who was behind the ambush? And what did he mean by "hide"? The more I listened, the more I realized that I had been living in a bubble, oblivious to the secrets and lies that had been swirling around me. Hange's eyes never left mine as he spoke, his gaze burning with a mix of fear and determination. I could see the weight of his secrets bearing down on him, and I knew that he had been carrying this burden for far too long. "I was working with a team of researchers," he continued, his voice low and urgent. "We were on the verge of a breakthrough, something that could have changed the course of human history. But we weren't the only ones interested in the project. There were others, people who would stop at nothing to get their hands on our research." I felt a shiver run down my spine as I listened. Who were these people, and what did they want with Hange's research? I could see the fear in his eyes, and I knew that he was scared for his life. "What kind of research were you working on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Hange hesitated, his eyes darting around the room as if he was checking for eavesdroppers. "I'm not sure I should tell you," he said, his voice laced with uncertainty. "But I think I have to. I think I owe you that much." He took a deep breath, and his words spilled out in a rush. "We were working on a cure for a disease that had been thought incurable. But it wasn't just any disease. It was one that had been used as a bioterrorism agent, one that had killed millions of people worldwide." I felt like I had been punched in the gut. A cure for a bioterrorism agent? That was huge. And no wonder people would want to get their hands on it. "Who were the others?" I asked, my mind racing with questions. Hange's expression turned grim. "I'm not sure," he said. "But I think they're connected to a organization that's been hiding in plain sight. An organization that will stop at nothing to get what they want." I felt a chill run down my spine. What kind of organization would do that? And what did they want with Hange? As I looked at him, I knew that I had to help him. I had to help him uncover the truth, and I had to help him stay safe. Our lives would never be the same again, but I was ready to face whatever came next, as long as I had Hange by my side. "What's the organization called?" I asked, my voice firm. Hange's eyes locked on mine, and I could see the fear in them. "It's called the Syndicate," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And they're everywhere." I felt a shiver run down my spine. The Syndicate. I had never heard of it before, but I knew that we were in for a fight.