The forest felt unnervingly quiet as Ava, Jaxon, and Caleb made their way toward the SUV, each step filled with an increasing sense of dread. Every rustle of leaves seemed amplified, every crunch beneath their boots sounded too loud, like a warning from the universe itself. Ava's hope had surged at the sight of the vehicle freedom, safetyvuntil it evaporated into unease. Something wasn't right.
Caleb quickly pulled back the camouflage netting from the vehicle, his movements brisk but precise. There was a tension in his actions, something restrained, like he knew time was running out. The distant engines, growing louder, were a reminder that their pursuers were closing in fast.
"We need to move now," Caleb muttered under his breath as he opened the driver's door. "Get in. Hurry."
Ava glanced at Jaxon, who was barely keeping himself upright. She helped him into the back seat, wincing as she saw the pain etched across his face. He was at his limit, physically and emotionally drained, but they didn't have time for rest. The danger was too close.
As Caleb revved the engine, the low rumble echoing through the clearing, Ava's heart skipped a beat. Just as she was about to climb into the passenger seat, a voice cut through the air like a jagged knife.
"Don't even think about it."
Ava froze, turning slowly toward the sound. Emerging from the shadows of the forest was one of Veronica's men, gun in hand, a smug grin spreading across his face. Ava's stomach dropped as she realized they were not alone. More men followed behind him, their weapons aimed, their expressions cold and calculating.
They were surrounded.
"Hands up!" the man barked, his tone commanding. "Step away from the car."
Caleb's hand twitched toward his weapon, but Ava shot him a glance, silently pleading for him not to escalate the situation. The odds were stacked against them. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and any rash move could get them all killed.
The man gestured for his team to surround them, smirking as if he had been waiting for this moment. "You really thought you could outrun us? We've been watching you since the compound. This little getaway was never going to work."
Caleb's jaw clenched, his expression hard. He said nothing, his face a mask of barely-contained anger. Ava, too, felt her heart drop. So close. They had been so close to escaping.
"Out of the car," the man ordered, motioning with his gun.
Ava stepped back, raising her hands slowly in surrender. Jaxon groaned as he tried to sit up, but the guards were already pulling him from the back seat, their grips firm and merciless. Ava's blood boiled, but she knew she couldn't act. Not yet.
The man in charge stepped closer to Ava, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Ava Sinclair, right? You've caused quite a mess. But don't worry we'll clean it up. Starting with him."
His gaze shifted toward Jaxon, who was being roughly restrained by two of the guards. Ava's stomach turned as the man continued.
"You see, Jaxon's a problem. A loose end. But you, Ava... you're valuable. You've got potential."
Ava felt sick. She wanted to lash out, to scream, but fear kept her rooted in place. "You're making a mistake," she whispered, her voice trembling but defiant. "Let us go, and you might live long enough to regret this."
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "I like your spirit. Too bad it won't help you."
Jaxon's fury was palpable. Even in his weakened state, he struggled against the guards holding him. "You're not getting away with this!" he spat, his voice raw with rage. "Ava, don't give up!"
Caleb's voice was a low growl, cutting through the tension. "You have no idea what you're dealing with."
The leader turned toward Caleb, his eyebrows raised. "Oh? And what exactly do you think you're going to do, Caleb? You've played both sides long enough, but the game's over."
Caleb's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, everything seemed to hang in the balance. Ava could feel the weight of the decision he was about to make whether to stand down or fight. She could see the anger boiling beneath his calm exterior, the tightness in his grip, the flash of determination in his eyes.
Then, without warning, Caleb moved.
In one swift motion, he reached for the knife at his belt and slashed it across the throat of the nearest guard. Blood sprayed across the dirt, and the man crumpled to the ground before anyone could react.
"Run, Ava!" Caleb yelled, lunging at the leader, knocking the gun from his hand.
Ava's body surged into action before she could think. She bolted toward Jaxon, her heart pounding in her ears as chaos erupted around her. The guards were shouting, scrambling to get control of the situation. She reached Jaxon just as they began dragging him toward one of their SUVs.
She grabbed his arm, pulling with all her strength, trying to free him. "We're not leaving without you!" she shouted, her voice hoarse with desperation.
But the guards were too strong. Jaxon struggled, his muscles straining, but they shoved him into the back of the SUV, slamming the door shut behind him. Ava's vision blurred with tears as she pounded on the window, helpless to stop it.
"Jaxon!" she screamed, her heart breaking as the SUV roared to life.
Before she could chase after him, the sharp crack of gunfire rang out, freezing her in place. Her breath hitched, and she turned just in time to see Caleb fall to the ground, blood pooling around him.
"Caleb!" Ava cried, her voice breaking as she stumbled toward him, her legs trembling beneath her.
But it was too late.
Caleb's body lay still, his face pale, his chest no longer rising and falling. The life had drained from him in an instant.
The SUV carrying Jaxon sped away, the sound of its engine fading into the distance, leaving Ava alone in the clearing. She fell to her knees, the world spinning around her, the weight of everything crashing down.
She had lost them both.