The clearing felt like a fragile sanctuary, the moonlight casting an eerie glow over the forest floor as I held Ava close, my heart pounding with every passing second. The silence after the chaos felt surreal, but I knew it wouldn't last. Ethan's sacrifice had bought us time, but Ferraro's men would be relentless. They would hunt us until they succeeded.
Ava looked up at me, her wide eyes reflecting the fear I felt but couldn't allow myself to show. I forced a reassuring smile, my hand gently stroking her hair. "We're safe here, sweetheart. Just a little longer."
She nodded, but I could see the confusion and worry in her expression. She didn't understand the danger we were in, and I wanted to keep it that way as long as possible. But the sounds of the fight in the distance had quieted, and the oppressive silence began to weigh on me. Ethan was out there alone, and I couldn't shake the gnawing fear of what that silence might mean.
