The world outside the cabin had shrunk to the sounds of footsteps and whispers of the wind. The cabin was small, but it felt even smaller now, the walls closing in as tension thickened the air. I held Ava close, her tiny body trembling against me as I crouched with her in the corner. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears, drowning out everything except the soft creak of the floorboards beneath William's feet as he moved into position by the door.
He stood there, tall and resolute, his gun raised, ready for whatever came next. His face was set in hard determination, but I could see the flicker of concern in his eyes as he glanced back at me and Ava. He was ready to fight—to protect us—but the odds were stacked against us. Ferraro's men were out there, circling, waiting to strike.
