The early morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of the cabin, casting a soft, golden glow over the worn wooden floor. Miel sat at the small kitchen table, staring blankly into a cup of coffee she hadn't touched. The bitter aroma filled the air, but it did little to cut through the fog in her mind.
Last night had been one of the longest nights of her life. Keeping watch had been more than just standing guard against the outside world—it had been a silent battle with herself. With every passing hour, the weight of their situation pressed down on her, and her thoughts circled endlessly. Could they truly make it out of this? Or had they set themselves on an irreversible path, spiraling deeper into a pit they couldn't climb out of?The soft creak of the bedroom door pulled her out of her thoughts. Jasmine stepped out, looking just as worn as Miel felt, but there was a quiet strength in her eyes. She moved slowly, as if each step carried the weight of a thousand unspoken fears, but when she met Miel's gaze, there was a flicker of determination there."Morning," Jasmine said, her voice hoarse from sleep.Miel offered a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Morning. You sleep okay?"Jasmine shrugged, crossing the small space to stand next to Miel. She gently placed a hand on Miel's shoulder, squeezing lightly before letting go. "I slept better than I expected," she admitted. "I needed the rest."Miel nodded. "You deserve it."The silence that settled between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it was thick with unspoken truths. Jasmine's confession from the night before echoed in Miel's mind. She was scared too—terrified of what lay ahead—but Miel knew that if they didn't keep moving, didn't stay one step ahead of the world chasing them, they'd lose everything. Including each other.Jasmine moved toward the counter, grabbing a mug for herself and filling it with coffee. Maxwell padded into the room, his tail wagging slightly as he looked up at Jasmine with hopeful eyes. She chuckled softly and crouched down, rubbing his ears affectionately. "Good morning to you too, Maxwell," she whispered, as if he were the only one who truly understood her.Nina entered the room not long after, looking as sharp and composed as always, despite the restless night they'd all had. She was already fully dressed, her bag slung over her shoulder, ready for whatever the day would bring."We need to get moving soon," Nina said without preamble. She pulled out a map and spread it on the small table, pointing to a spot just east of where they were. "This place won't be safe for long. We've been lucky so far, but it won't last."Miel leaned in, her eyes scanning the map. "Where are we headed?""There's an old contact of mine," Nina explained. "He owes me a favor, and he can get us out of the country. But we have to be smart about this. The authorities are tightening the noose, and if we slip up, it's over."Jasmine took a sip of her coffee, her gaze flicking between Miel and Nina. "What's the plan, then?"Nina tapped the map again. "We'll head south, toward the border. I know a few back roads we can take to avoid the main checkpoints. Once we're there, my contact will meet us and take care of the rest."Miel felt a knot form in her stomach. Crossing the border was risky. If they got caught, it would be the end of the line. But staying where they were wasn't an option either. They were running out of places to hide, and every moment they stayed in one place felt like another second ticking away on a bomb."We'll have to ditch the car," Nina added. "It's too recognizable now. We need something less conspicuous, and fast."Jasmine nodded in agreement. "And we can't stay here much longer," she said, glancing out the window. "This cabin was a temporary fix, but it's too close to where we've been. They'll catch up soon."Miel stared at the map, her thoughts racing. Crossing the border meant leaving everything behind—everything familiar, every semblance of the life they once had. It was the final leap into the unknown.But there was no turning back now."We'll leave tonight," Nina said, rolling up the map and tucking it into her bag. "That gives us enough time to find another vehicle and make sure we're not being followed."As they moved through the day's preparations, Miel couldn't shake the feeling that this was their last chance. They had one shot to escape the tightening net around them, and if they failed, it would all be over.---The sun began to set, casting long shadows over the dense trees that surrounded the cabin. Miel stood outside, the cool evening air brushing against her skin as she watched the last of the daylight fade away. Jasmine was inside, packing the few belongings they had left, while Nina scouted the area for a vehicle.The silence of the woods was comforting and unnerving at the same time. It felt too peaceful, too still, like the calm before a storm. Miel's mind wandered to everything that had led them here—the choices they had made, the mistakes, the risks. Could they ever stop running, or was this life of constant fear all that was left for them?Jasmine stepped out onto the porch, her presence grounding Miel's restless thoughts. She moved quietly to Miel's side, her hand brushing against Miel's arm."Are you okay?" Jasmine asked softly, her voice carrying a tenderness that always managed to calm Miel.Miel sighed, leaning into Jasmine slightly. "I don't know," she admitted. "I just... I'm scared, Jas. Of everything."Jasmine nodded, her eyes searching Miel's face. "Me too."They stood together in the fading light, the weight of their decisions pressing down on them. The future felt so uncertain, but in that moment, they had each other, and that was enough. For now.---Hours later, under the cover of darkness, they left the cabin. Nina had managed to find an old pickup truck, beat-up and rusted, but it ran smoothly enough. They packed everything into the truck bed, securing the duffel bag of cash and their remaining supplies.Maxwell hopped into the backseat, settling in as if he knew they were on the move again. Jasmine climbed into the passenger seat, while Miel took the wheel. Nina sat in the back, her eyes constantly scanning the road behind them, ever vigilant.As they pulled away from the cabin, the road ahead stretched into the unknown. The stars above them twinkled faintly in the night sky, offering a sliver of hope amidst the darkness."Just keep driving," Nina said from the backseat, her voice calm but firm.And Miel did. She drove through the night, the engine humming steadily beneath her hands, the tension in the air thick but bearable. They had made it this far, against all odds. Maybe, just maybe, they could make it a little further.But even as they sped down the dark road, Miel couldn't shake the feeling that the past was still following them, creeping ever closer, waiting for the moment to strike.The end of the road was coming, one way or another. And when it did, Miel wasn't sure they'd be ready for what waited at the finish line.