Just then, a sudden burst of frantic barking came from the street outside.
Banner froze. He had lived in the slum for five months and knew its sounds all too well.
Stray dogs usually only barked that fiercely when fighting over food or encountering strangers. And this barking had started at the foot of the hill and was rapidly spreading upward.
Someone was advancing fast.
Banner pulled out the needle and pressed a cotton swab against the puncture. He walked to the window and lifted a corner of the shabby curtain.
No sirens. No flashing lights.
But in the faint moonlight, he saw several figures in black tactical gear rapidly climbing the narrow alleyways, carrying suppressed assault rifles.
Their movements were highly professional. They covered one another without making a single unnecessary sound. These weren't local Gang members or Rio de Janeiro narcotics officers. They were military.
Ross had found him.
The heart rate monitor started climbing wildly. 70. 80. 95.
Cold sweat beaded on Banner's forehead. "Stay calm... control your breathing..." He closed his eyes and forced himself to breathe deeply. His heart rate dropped a little. He quickly disconnected the computer's hard drive and stuffed it into his pocket, then grabbed a backpack filled with cash and fake passports.
He couldn't transform here. Tens of thousands of people lived here. Once that monster came out, the entire slum would be leveled.
Extremely faint footsteps sounded outside the door. Tactical boots crunching over gravel.
Banner backed toward the rear window and pushed aside the wooden board.
Bang! The front door was kicked open. Several infrared aiming dots instantly swept into the room, lighting up the cramped space.
"The target's not in bed!" Blonsky charged inside with his gun raised, his gaze sweeping over the open rear window. **"He's running!