Ava and Jaxon burst through the warehouse doors into the cold night, the air sharp and biting against Ava's skin. Her lungs burned from the sprint, and her heart was pounding so loudly it felt like it would burst out of her chest. Every step forward was a struggle, especially with Jaxon's weakened state. But they had no choice. They had to keep moving.
The night was pitch black, the thick clouds above obscuring the moon and stars. It made it nearly impossible to see where they were headed, but that was the least of Ava's concerns. She glanced over her shoulder, fear clenching her heart as she expected to see Veronica or her men charging after them. But so far, the night remained still unnervingly so.
"Jaxon," Ava whispered urgently, her voice hoarse from adrenaline and fear. "Can you keep going?"
Jaxon leaned heavily against her, his breath ragged as he tried to keep pace. He nodded, though Ava could feel the exhaustion radiating from him. His body trembled with the effort of walking, each step labored and unsteady.
"I'll... manage," he rasped, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ava tightened her grip around his waist, pulling him closer as they pressed forward. The warehouse loomed behind them like a shadow of the nightmare they had barely escaped, but Ava knew they couldn't stop now. The moment they slowed, Veronica would find them. And this time, there would be no mercy.
Her thoughts raced as she tried to figure out what to do next. They couldn't outrun Veronica's men forever, not in their current state. And if Jaxon's condition worsened, they'd be trapped,easy targets.
"We need to find a place to hide," Ava said, more to herself than to Jaxon. Her eyes scanned the horizon, searching for anything that could offer shelter. "Just for a little while... until we figure out our next move."
Jaxon groaned softly, his head dipping as his strength continued to wane. Ava's heart ached as she watched him struggle, guilt gnawing at her insides. He was in this mess because of her,because of the choices they had both made.
Suddenly, Ava spotted something in the distance. A faint silhouette against the darkness,small run down, but promising. It looked like an abandoned cabin or shack, barely visible through the thick trees surrounding it. Relief surged through her, but she kept her pace steady, not wanting to make too much noise.
"There," she whispered, nodding toward the structure. "We can hide there for a while."
Jaxon didn't respond, but his grip tightened on her arm, and she took that as an agreement.
They moved as quickly as they could, every crunch of leaves underfoot sending shivers down Ava's spine. Her nerves were on high alert, her ears straining for any sound that might signal pursuit. But the forest around them remained unnervingly quiet. Too quiet.
By the time they reached the cabin, Jaxon was barely able to stand. Ava's muscles burned as she helped him inside, guiding him toward the nearest corner where he collapsed against the wall, his breathing shallow and uneven.
Ava's hands shook as she knelt beside him, her mind racing. His condition was worse than she had realized. His face was pale, his eyes glazed with pain, and every breath seemed to take more out of him than the last.
"We're safe," Ava whispered, though the words felt hollow. "Just rest for a little while. I'll keep watch."
Jaxon's eyes flickered toward her, but he said nothing, his body too weak to respond. Ava's heart clenched painfully at the sight of him like this. She had never seen him so vulnerable, so broken. It scared her more than she wanted to admit.
Her fingers brushed against his cheek, the contact grounding her in the moment. "I'm going to get you out of this," she promised, her voice barely audible. "I won't let them win."
Jaxon's eyes fluttered closed, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths. Ava sat back, her pulse racing as she fought to keep the panic at bay. She couldn't afford to lose him not now. Not after everything they had been through.
The cabin was small, barely more than four walls and a roof, but it provided some shelter from the cold and a momentary reprieve from the nightmare they had escaped. Ava's gaze darted around the space, searching for anything that could help. The room was bare, save for a few old wooden chairs and a broken table in the corner. Dust and debris littered the floor, the air thick with the smell of decay.
Ava's thoughts raced as she tried to come up with a plan. They couldn't stay here for long Veronica's men would be looking for them. But without knowing where they were or where to go next, the options were limited. And Jaxon needed medical attention. Soon.
She stood slowly, her body aching from the exertion of the night, and walked to the window. The dark trees outside loomed like silent sentinels, watching, waiting. Ava's stomach twisted with unease. The longer they stayed here, the more vulnerable they became.
But what other choice did they have?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of movement behind her. Ava spun around, her heart leaping into her throat. Jaxon groaned, his body shifting slightly as he tried to sit up.
"Jaxon?" Ava rushed to his side, her hands hovering over him as she tried to gauge how badly he was hurt.
He blinked up at her, his eyes clouded with pain. "We... need to move," he rasped, his voice barely audible.
Ava shook her head. "Not yet. You're in no condition to go anywhere. We need to stay hidden until I can figure out our next move."
Jaxon's jaw clenched, his frustration evident, but he didn't argue. His head fell back against the wall, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he closed his eyes.
Ava's chest tightened with worry. She knew they were running out of time. If Veronica found them before she could come up with a plan...
She shook the thought away, forcing herself to stay calm. She had to stay focused. Jaxon was depending on her.
The sound of rustling outside snapped Ava back to attention. Her heart skipped a beat, her body going still as she listened intently. Footsteps. They were faint, but unmistakable.
Ava's pulse quickened, fear clenching her heart as she moved toward the window, her eyes scanning the darkness outside. Her breath hitched as she caught sight of movement,shadows flitting between the trees.
They had been found.
Panic surged through her, but she pushed it down, forcing herself to think clearly. They needed to leave. Now.
She rushed back to Jaxon, her hands trembling as she shook him gently. "Jaxon, we have to go. They're coming."
His eyes fluttered open, but he didn't move. He was too weak, too exhausted.
"Come on," Ava urged, her voice filled with desperation as she tried to pull him to his feet. "We can't stay here."
Jaxon groaned softly, his body sagging against hers as she tried to lift him. He was too heavy, too far gone. Ava's breath caught in her throat, panic rising as the footsteps outside grew louder, closer.
They were out of time.
Ava's mind raced, her thoughts spiraling as she realized there was no way they could both escape. Not like this.
She had to make a choice.
"I'll be back for you," Ava whispered, her voice breaking as she pressed a kiss to Jaxon's forehead. "I promise."
She stood, her heart shattering as she turned toward the door. Her body moved on autopilot, her mind numb with the weight of what she was about to do.
She was going to lead them away from Jaxon.
Without a second thought, Ava burst through the cabin door, sprinting into the dark forest, her heart pounding with fear, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.
Behind her, the sound of pursuit echoed through the night.