The vehicle tore through the backroads, the narrow lanes barely wide enough for their escape route, shrouded by the dark, overgrown trees. Ava sat in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the road ahead, while Caleb drove with a steady, determined hand. The weight of what they were about to do hung in the air between them, heavy with the unknown.
The pilot had given them the coordinates to the compound where Jaxon was being held just over twenty miles away. But every mile they traveled brought a fresh wave of dread crashing over Ava. She knew this mission was a long shot. The odds were stacked against them... but she couldn't let herself think about that. Not now.
"We're almost there," Caleb said quietly, his voice cutting through the stillness. His eyes flicked toward her for a moment before returning to the road. "Are you ready for this?"
Ava swallowed hard, nodding, though the tightness in her chest said otherwise. "I have to be. We can't fail, Caleb. Jaxon's life depends on it."
He didn't respond right away, his lips pressing into a thin line as he navigated a sharp turn. Ava could tell he was as tense as she was, but Caleb had always been good at hiding it. His calm, collected demeanor had been her anchor more times than she could count.
"I won't let anything happen to him," Caleb finally said, his voice resolute. "I swear to you, Ava. We're bringing him back."
Ava's heart ached at the certainty in his tone. She believed him,wanted to believe him more than anything. But the shadow of doubt lingered in the corners of her mind, whispering all the things that could go wrong. They were heading into enemy territory, with no backup, no guarantees.
Her thoughts drifted back to Jaxon... the last time she'd seen him, beaten and bound, but still so defiant. Even in the face of danger, he'd never given up. That fire in his eyes, the strength that had drawn her to him from the very beginning, was what kept her going now. She had to save him.
They reached the edge of the forest, the dense trees giving way to an open field. In the distance, Ava could see the compound low sprawling buildings surrounded by a tall electrified fence. It was heavily guarded, with armed men patrolling the perimeter. The sight of it sent a chill down her spine.
"This is it," Caleb said, parking the vehicle behind a cluster of trees for cover. "We go in quietly. Avoid any unnecessary attention. The element of surprise is the only advantage we have."
Ava nodded, her stomach twisting with nerves. She reached for the small earpiece Caleb had given her earlier, securing it in place. They needed to stay in constant communication during the mission one wrong move, and it could all fall apart.
"Ready?" Caleb asked, already slipping out of the driver's seat and grabbing the bag of gear from the back.
Ava took a deep breath, steeling herself before she followed him out of the car. The night air was cool against her skin, but the tension in her body made her feel like she was burning from the inside out.
They moved quickly, keeping low as they made their way across the field. Ava's heart pounded in her chest, her senses on high alert with every step they took toward the compound. The moonlight cast long shadows over the ground, making the entire scene feel like something out of a nightmare.
Caleb led the way, his movements smooth and controlled, as though he'd done this a thousand times before. Ava was grateful for his presence cause without him, she didn't know if she'd be able to hold it together. But with Caleb by her side, she felt just a little bit braver.
They reached the outer fence, crouching down behind a large crate to assess their surroundings. The guards were spaced out along the perimeter, walking in timed intervals, their weapons slung across their backs. Caleb handed Ava a pair of wire cutters from the bag, nodding toward a section of the fence that was partially obscured by overgrown bushes.
"I'll take care of the guards," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling of the wind. "You get through the fence and make your way toward the main building. I'll meet you inside."
Ava hesitated, her fingers tightening around the wire cutters. "Caleb... be careful."
He gave her a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You too. We'll get Jaxon back, Ava. Trust me."
She wanted to say more, but there wasn't time. Caleb was already moving, slipping into the shadows with the grace of a predator stalking its prey. Ava watched him go, her heart in her throat, before turning her attention to the fence.
The wire cutters felt heavy in her hands, but she forced herself to focus. She had to stay calm. She had to do this right. With careful, deliberate movements, she began cutting through the thick metal wires, one by one, the sharp *snick* of the blades echoing in her ears.
Every second felt like an eternity. Ava's hands shook as she worked, her mind racing with a hundred different scenarios of what could go wrong. But she didn't stop. She couldn't stop.
Finally, she had made a hole large enough for her to slip through. She pushed the wire aside and crawled through, wincing as the sharp edges caught on her clothes. Once she was on the other side, she crouched low, scanning the area for any sign of movement.
The main building loomed ahead, its windows dark and foreboding. Ava's pulse quickened as she crept toward it, staying as close to the shadows as possible. She knew Caleb was out there, somewhere, taking out the guards one by one, but she couldn't afford to think about that now. She had to stay focused on her mission—getting inside and finding Jaxon.
The entrance to the building was guarded by two men, their faces expressionless as they stood watch. Ava's breath caught in her throat as she pressed herself against the wall, trying to come up with a plan. She couldn't take them both out on her own not without alerting the others.
She was running out of time.
Just then, the earpiece crackled to life, and Caleb's voice came through in a low whisper. "Ava... I'm in position. Wait for my signal."
Ava exhaled slowly, her heart pounding as she waited for Caleb to make his move. The seconds ticked by, each one more excruciating than the last. She strained her ears, listening for any sound, any indication of what was happening.
And then, without warning, one of the guards crumpled to the ground, followed by the second. Ava's eyes widened in shock as Caleb appeared from the shadows, his movements swift and silent.
"Go," he whispered, motioning for her to follow.
Ava didn't hesitate. She darted across the open space, her pulse racing as she reached the door. Caleb had already disabled the security system, and the door slid open with a quiet hiss.
They slipped inside, the darkness of the building swallowing them whole. The air was thick with tension, every shadow seeming to move as they crept through the corridors. Ava's breath came in short, shallow gasps, the reality of what they were doing sinking in with every step they took.
They were inside. But this was only the beginning.
As they made their way deeper into the compound, Ava's mind raced. Where was Jaxon? How much time did they have before they were discovered? Every door they passed felt like a potential trap, every corner they turned like the point of no return.
Caleb led the way, his focus razor-sharp as he checked each room, his gun at the ready. Ava stayed close behind him, her heart hammering in her chest.
Finally, after what felt like hours, they reached a door at the far end of the corridor. Caleb paused, his hand hovering over the handle as he glanced back at Ava. She could see the tension in his posture, the weight of what was about to happen pressing down on him just as heavily as it was on her.
"This is it," he whispered, his voice tight.
Ava nodded, her throat too dry to speak.
Caleb pushed the door open, and they stepped inside.
And there, chained to a chair in the center of the room, was Jaxon.