Deliver or Die

[Verse 1] Rain slicks the asphalt, neon bleeds into the gutters Footprints fading fast – no one reads the signs I stutter The signals scrambled in my head like broken codes and mutters A dead man's secrets in my palm – but her voice cuts through the clutter She said "Deliver this and I'll owe you something more than just a breakthrough" Her eyes were wildfire in the dark – I swore I'd see that spark through Five more blocks to the extraction point – my ribs are screaming fracture Enforcer drones are hard on my joint – I taste the aftertaste of capture Every alley is a dead end street that curls back on itself like guilt Every shadow has a heartbeat – I feel the pressure that they've built I taste the ozone, smell her trace – jasmine, solder, and regret The pickup's close – she's in this place – I haven't lost my bet [Pre-Chorus] The clock is ticking – pulse is climbing through the smog and through the grime Every camera tracks my motion – I'm a dollar – they're a dime Drowning in this urban ocean – waves of concrete, tides of crime Can you hear the rotors spinning? Can you feel the hunt begin its climb? This is not a test or game – this is the only hand I'm dealt I'll survive to see her name – I'll carve it in the steel I've felt [Chorus] CUT THE TETHER! BURN THE FILE! Run the grid for one more mile – static hisses through my bones I'm a ghost – but she's the throne – NEON RUNNER! BLOOD AND FIRE! She's the spark that fuels the pyre – when the breach hits, feel the shutter Nothing else will ever matter – nothing else will ever matter [Verse 2] Found her in a rusted bar that smelled of diesel and regret Fixing drones with a broken guitar – she looked at me and didn't forget She said "You're the one who'll make me whole – I saw your file in their database" She traced a scar across my soul – said "You were never meant to race For them – you run for yourself now – but I'm asking you to run for me" I nodded – couldn't find the vow – her gravity had set me free Now I'm ducking through a subway grate – the trains are howling underground Flickering lights accelerate – the truth is something I just found The package isn't data – it's a key to shut their whole conspiracy She risked her life to hand it over – whispered "You're my destiny" I barely know her – but I'd die just to see her smile – and that's no lie [Pre-Chorus] The clock is ticking – pulse is climbing through the smog and through the grime Every camera tracks my motion – I'm a dollar – they're a dime Drowning in this urban ocean – waves of concrete, tides of crime Can you hear the rotors spinning? Can you feel the hunt begin its climb? This is not a test or game – this is the only hand I'm dealt I'll survive to see her name – I'll carve it in the steel I've felt [Chorus] CUT THE TETHER! BURN THE FILE! Run the grid for one more mile – static hisses through my bones I'm a ghost – but she's the throne – NEON RUNNER! BLOOD AND FIRE! She's the spark that fuels the pyre – when the breach hits, feel the shutter Nothing else will ever matter – nothing else will ever matter [Verse 3] The drones are closing in – I hear their rotors chop the humid air I leap a barricade of rust and sin – I'm running on a dare She sent a beacon to my wrist – a pulse that only I can read "Turn left at the neon mist – I've cleared a path – proceed with speed" I trust her like I've never trusted anyone in all my years She turned my static into trust – she turned my silence into cheers The extraction point is just ahead – a flicker in the rain-soaked glass I see her silhouette in red – she's waiting – and I'll never pass This moment up – I crash into her arms – we tumble to the ground She laughs – I feel the city's alarms – but her voice is the only sound [Bridge – spoken over glitching beat] She whispers in my ear – "You made it – I knew you would – I've been watching you since the program. You don't remember me, but I remember you. We were in the same white room. You were the only one who didn't cry. That's why I came back for you." Her fingers trace my jaw – I shiver – not from cold – from her. I say "I don't remember anything before tonight." She says "Then let me be your first memory." [Outro] Run... run... her eyes are the only sun... In this concrete, neon hell... I'll make it – I'll break the spell... Run... run... her name is Ember – and I'm done... Being a ghost – I'm her someone... I'm her someone...