Ava's muscles screamed in protest as she dragged Jaxon down the hallway, the weight of his body pressing heavily against her. Every step felt like a battle, her legs shaking from the effort, but she couldn't stop. The door to freedom had to be close.
Her mind raced, calculating the distance between them and the exit Gray had described. It wasn't far just another turn or two but with every agonizing second, the prospect of escape seemed to slip further out of reach.
Jaxon groaned softly beside her, his body swaying unsteadily. Ava tightened her grip around his waist, pulling him closer. His head lolled to the side, his eyes barely open.
"You have to stay with me," Ava whispered, her voice hoarse with desperation. "Just a little longer, Jaxon."
His lips parted, but no sound came out. Ava's heart clenched, panic surging through her as she watched him struggle to stay conscious. He was slipping away, and if they didn't get out soon...
Ava pushed the thought away, refusing to let it take root. She had come too far,fought too hard to lose him now.
The hallway stretched on endlessly, the faint sound of voices still echoing somewhere in the distance. Ava's pulse quickened as she rounded another corner, her breath catching in her throat.
There it was. The exit.
A heavy metal door at the end of the hall, marked with a faded red sign that read "Exit." Ava's heart leapt in her chest, but she tamped down her hope. There could still be guards, still more obstacles between them and freedom.
But she didn't have a choice. They had to go for it.
"Jaxon," Ava whispered, her voice trembling as she pulled him toward the door. "We're almost there."
His head lolled against her shoulder, his body growing heavier with each step. Ava's legs burned, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she dragged him forward.
The door loomed ahead, but with each step, Ava felt her strength waning. Her muscles screamed in protest, her body begging for rest, but she pushed herself harder.
Finally, they reached the door.
Ava's hands shook as she grabbed the handle, her breath coming in sharp, desperate gasps. She turned the handle slowly, her heart pounding in her chest as she pushed the door open.
Fresh air rushed in, cool and crisp against her skin.
They had made it.
Ava pulled Jaxon through the door, her legs nearly giving out beneath her as they stumbled into the night. The compound stretched out behind them, dark and foreboding, but ahead was freedom.
But as Ava looked up, her heart sank.
Standing in the clearing, blocking their path, was Veronica.