The air in the narrow duct was stifling, thick with dust and the acrid scent of rust. Ava crawled forward, her heart still racing from their narrow escape, her muscles trembling with exhaustion. Jaxon was barely conscious behind her, his breaths shallow and labored, but at least they were alive. For now.
The tunnel stretched out ahead, dark and claustrophobic, the faint sound of Veronica's men still echoing somewhere behind them. They were searching for her, but the duct system was a maze. It would buy them time precious, fleeting time but not much.
Ava gritted her teeth, pushing forward. The metal beneath her hands felt cold, unforgiving, and every movement sent a fresh wave of pain through her body. Her arms ached from dragging Jaxon and keeping herself moving, but she refused to stop. If they stopped, it was over.
She cast a glance over her shoulder. Jaxon's eyes were barely open, his face pale, the deep lines of pain etched into his skin. His lips moved faintly, trying to form words, but no sound escaped. Ava's heart clenched at the sight. He was fading, and she didn't know how much longer he could hold on.
"You have to stay with me," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of their breathing. "Just a little longer, Jaxon. We're almost out."
Jaxon didn't respond, his head slumping forward as he fought to stay conscious.
Ava swallowed hard, her mind racing. They needed to find a way out of the compound fast. But she had no idea where the air duct led, or if there was even a way out at all. It was a gamble, a desperate one, but it was the only choice they had left.
The tunnel twisted and turned, and Ava's arms burned from the effort of crawling forward. Sweat dripped down her face, her breaths coming in sharp gasps as she pushed on, her entire body aching from exhaustion.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she spotted a faint light ahead. Hope flared in her chest, but she tamped it down. She couldn't afford to get her hopes up, not yet. The light could be anything a guard's flashlight, a dead end, or another trap.
Still, it was the only lead she had.
She inched closer, her heart pounding as the light grew brighter. When she reached the source, her breath hitched.
The duct opened up into a small maintenance room, dimly lit by a single flickering lightbulb. It looked deserted, the air thick with dust and disuse, but the sight of a door on the far side of the room sent a jolt of hope through Ava's chest.
Carefully, she crawled out of the duct, wincing as her legs hit the cold floor. She moved quickly, helping Jaxon through and laying him down gently on the ground. His breathing was shallow, his skin pale and clammy.
"We're almost out," Ava whispered, brushing a hand through his hair. "Just hold on a little longer."
With trembling hands, she crept toward the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She pressed her ear against the metal, straining to hear any sounds from the other side. Silence.
Ava bit her lip, her mind racing. The hallway outside could be crawling with guards, but it was a risk she had to take. Staying hidden in the duct would only delay the inevitable.
She took a deep breath and slowly turned the handle.
The door creaked open, and Ava peered through the narrow gap. The hallway outside was dimly lit, long shadows cast by the few working lights. But there were no guards. No sound of footsteps. It was eerily quiet.
Ava's pulse quickened as she glanced back at Jaxon. They had a chance just one. But they had to move now.
"Jaxon," she whispered, hurrying back to him. "We have to go. Can you stand?"
Jaxon's eyes flickered open, his expression clouded with pain. He nodded weakly, his hand reaching out for hers. Ava pulled him to his feet, his body sagging against her as he struggled to stay upright.
With one arm wrapped around Jaxon's waist, Ava led him toward the door, her heart pounding in her chest. Every step was agonizingly slow, but they moved as quickly as they could, Ava's eyes darting around for any sign of danger.
The hallway stretched out ahead of them, long and winding. Ava's breath came in short, sharp gasps as they inched forward, every nerve on edge. She could feel Jaxon's weight pressing against her, his body growing heavier with each passing second. He was slipping, and she didn't know how much longer she could hold him up.
"We're going to make it," Ava whispered, more to herself than to Jaxon. "Just a little further."
Suddenly, a faint sound reached her ears a low, distant murmur of voices. Ava's stomach twisted as she realized the sound was growing louder.
They weren't alone.
Ava's heart raced, her pulse pounding in her ears as she scanned the hallway for a place to hide. There was nothing just the cold, empty walls and the distant echo of footsteps.
Her mind spun, her body trembling with exhaustion and fear. They had to move. Now.
Without a second thought, Ava pulled Jaxon toward the nearest door, her breath catching as she twisted the handle and pushed it open. The room inside was dark, the air thick with dust, but it was empty.
She pulled Jaxon inside, closing the door softly behind them, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The footsteps outside grew louder, and Ava pressed her back against the door, her heart pounding in her chest.
The voices were closer now, too close. Ava held her breath, her eyes wide as she listened. She could hear them Veronica's men talking in low, hurried voices, their footsteps echoing in the hallway outside.
Her pulse raced, her body trembling with fear as the footsteps slowed outside the door. For a moment, everything went still.
Ava's heart stopped.
And then, the footsteps continued, fading into the distance.
Ava's breath hitched, relief flooding through her as she sagged against the door. They had passed by. They were safe for now.
She turned to Jaxon, who had slumped against the wall, his breathing shallow. His eyes were half closed, his body weak, but he was still hanging on.
"We're almost out of here," Ava whispered, her voice trembling. "I swear."
But even as she said the words, doubt gnawed at her. She had no idea how far they still had to go, or if they would even make it out alive.
All she knew was that she couldn't stop now.