The fire crackled softly as Ava sat, tension still coiling in her gut despite the warmth from the flames. The two men had agreed to help, but their faces, shadowed by the flickering light, were unreadable. She couldn't trust them, not fully but she had no other choice. Time was slipping away, and every second she spent in this forest was a second Jaxon remained in Veronica's clutches.
The bearded man, who had introduced himself as Gray, tossed another log onto the fire, sending sparks into the night air. His companion, Alec, sat quietly beside him, sharpening a knife on a small stone. The rhythmic scraping was the only sound that broke the silence between them.
Ava's eyes flicked between the two men, trying to gauge their intentions. She didn't know much about them, but they seemed to know these woods well enough and that made them useful. But their offer of help came with a price, and that made her uneasy.
Gray finally broke the silence, his eyes never leaving the fire. "We've seen people like you before," he said, his voice low and rough. "Running from something dangerous. Sometimes, it's best to just disappear."
Ava's jaw tightened. Disappearing wasn't an option. "I can't," she said firmly. "I have to go back. I have to save him."
Gray glanced at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You care about this man. Enough to risk your life for him."
Ava swallowed, her heart aching at the thought of Jaxon. "Yes," she whispered. "More than anything."
Alec, still sharpening his knife, snorted softly, his eyes gleaming in the firelight. "And you think he'd do the same for you? This guy you're so desperate to save?"
Ava stiffened, her gaze hardening. "I know he would."
Gray's lips curled into a slight smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, that's noble of you, I suppose. But you're going up against dangerous people. People who don't play by the rules. You're going to need more than just determination."
Ava leaned forward, her eyes locked on Gray's. "I don't care what it takes," she said, her voice steady. "Just tell me what I need to do."
Gray studied her for a long moment, as if weighing her resolve. Finally, he nodded. "We know these woods. We've seen the kind of men you're dealing with their operations, their movements. If you want to find your man, we can help. But it won't be easy."
Ava's pulse quickened. "Tell me how."
Gray's gaze flicked to Alec, who gave a small nod before standing and disappearing into one of the tents. Gray turned back to Ava, his expression serious. "There's an old compound not far from here. It's abandoned now, but the people you're running from they've used it before. If they've got him, there's a good chance they'll take him there."
Ava's heart leapt with a mix of hope and fear. "Can you take me there?"
Gray hesitated, his eyes darkening. "We can point you in the right direction, but we can't go with you. Not all the way. Once you get close, you're on your own."
Ava's stomach twisted, but she nodded. She couldn't afford to hesitate now. "Just tell me how to get there."
Alec returned a moment later, carrying a folded map and a small pack. He handed the items to Gray, who unfolded the map and spread it out on the ground between them.
"This here," Gray said, pointing to a spot on the map marked with a faded red circle, "is where we are now. The compound is here." His finger traced a line through the dense forest, stopping at another circle. "It's about a three-hour trek. You'll have to move quickly, and quietly. If they've got him, they'll have guards posted."
Ava nodded, her eyes fixed on the map as she memorized the path. "And if I find him?"
Gray's gaze lifted to hers, his expression grim. "Then you'd better hope you're prepared for what comes next."
Ava swallowed hard, her throat dry. She knew what he meant. This wouldn't be a simple rescue. There would be blood. There would be danger. And she might not make it out alive.
But if it meant saving Jaxon, it didn't matter.
"I'll be ready," she said quietly.
Gray folded the map and handed it to her, along with the small pack. "There's enough food and water in here to get you through the next day or so. Take what you need and move fast. You don't have much time."
Ava took the pack, her fingers brushing against the rough fabric as she nodded. "Thank you."
Alec, still sharpening his knife, glanced up at her with a smirk. "Good luck, princess. You're gonna need it."
Ava ignored the comment, her mind already focused on the task ahead. She stood, slinging the pack over her shoulder as she turned toward the edge of the clearing.
Gray watched her for a moment longer before speaking again. "One more thing," he said, his voice low. "Once you're inside, there's no turning back. You get in, get him, and get out. Don't stop for anything. And don't trust anyone."
Ava nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "I won't."
Without another word, she stepped into the darkness of the forest, the weight of the map and pack heavy on her back. The night seemed to close in around her, the trees looming like silent sentinels as she made her way through the dense underbrush.
The path ahead was long, treacherous, but Ava's mind was focused on one thing: Jaxon. She could see his face, battered and broken, his body tied to that chair. She could hear his voice, weak but defiant, telling her not to give up on him.
She wouldn't. She couldn't.
As the hours passed, Ava's legs burned with the effort of moving through the dense terrain, her breath coming in short, labored gasps. The darkness around her was oppressive, the trees casting long shadows that seemed to twist and shift with every step.
But she didn't slow. She couldn't afford to.
When she finally reached the edge of the compound, Ava's heart slammed against her ribs. The building loomed in the distance, a dark silhouette against the night sky. It was bigger than she had expected, with tall, imposing walls and a guard tower at each corner.
Ava crouched low, her body trembling with a mix of fear and adrenaline as she studied the layout. The compound was heavily fortified, just as Gray had warned. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their silhouettes barely visible in the dim light of the guard towers.
She couldn't go in the front. She'd be spotted immediately.
Ava's mind raced as she searched for another way in, her heart pounding in her ears. She spotted a narrow gap in the fence near the far corner of the compound, hidden by overgrown bushes and tall grass.
It wasn't much, but it was her best shot.
Ava moved silently through the underbrush, her body tense and ready to spring into action. The guards were still patrolling, their movements methodical and predictable. If she timed it right, she could slip through the gap unnoticed.
Her breath hitched as she reached the fence, her fingers trembling as she gripped the cold metal. The gap was just wide enough for her to squeeze through, and after a quick glance around to ensure she wasn't being watched, Ava slipped inside.
She was in.
Her heart raced as she crouched low, her eyes scanning the compound for any sign of Jaxon. The building ahead was dark, its windows shattered and covered in grime, but there was movement inside shadows flitting past the broken glass.
Ava's pulse quickened. This was it. Jaxon had to be in there.
She moved quickly, her footsteps silent as she made her way toward the building. Every instinct screamed at her to be cautious, but the thought of Jaxon hurt, alone, and waiting for her drove her forward.
As she reached the entrance, Ava paused, her breath coming in short, shaky bursts. She had no idea what she would find inside,no idea if Jaxon was even still alive.
But she had come too far to turn back now.
With one final deep breath, Ava pushed open the door and stepped inside.