Cracks in the Foundation
The distant explosion lingered in the air, a grim reminder that time was not on their side. The group snapped into action, Ethan and Gabriel working together to pull away the overgrown vines that shielded the bunker's entrance. Every sound seemed louder, sharper, as if the impending threat amplified everything around them.
Alex directed the others, her voice steady but tense. "Mara, get to higher ground. We need a lookout in case those reinforcements are closer than we think. Ethan, help Gabriel with the door. The rest of you—stay alert."
Ethan didn't like this—any of it. Gabriel's sudden appearance, his vague promises, the bunker that might or might not be a trap—it all felt off. He kept his head low, helping pry open the rusted door with a crowbar, but his gaze kept drifting toward Gabriel. Every twitch, every subtle movement, Ethan scrutinized, searching for any sign that this was about to go wrong.
Gabriel glanced at him, noticing the scrutiny, and raised an eyebrow. "You got something to say, or are you just gonna stare holes into the back of my head?"
"Maybe I don't like strangers showing up at the exact moment we need them," Ethan muttered, not bothering to hide his suspicion.
Gabriel let out a low chuckle. "Fair enough. But you're alive right now because of me, so maybe ease up on the paranoia for a second."
Ethan's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent. The door finally gave way with a metallic groan, revealing a dark tunnel leading down into the earth. The air that wafted up from below was damp and stale, but it was a place to hide, at least temporarily.
"Good work," Alex said, her tone brisk as she moved past them, her flashlight already in hand. She peered down the tunnel, her brow furrowed with concentration. "Everyone inside. We'll seal the door behind us."
Gabriel's group moved quickly, ushering their people into the bunker. Ethan hung back, waiting for the others to go first. He shot Mara a glance as she descended from her perch, nodding toward Gabriel. "What do you think?"
Mara didn't respond immediately, her bow slung over her shoulder as she approached. Her gaze followed Gabriel as he disappeared into the tunnel before she turned to Ethan. "I think he's dangerous. But we don't have a choice. Not right now."
Ethan nodded grimly, sharing her unease. It wasn't that Gabriel and his group weren't valuable—they had military training, resources, and information—but that nagging feeling in Ethan's gut wouldn't go away. Something about Gabriel didn't sit right, and until he figured out what, he'd keep his guard up.
Once inside, the bunker was larger than Ethan expected. The walls were reinforced with steel, old and rusted in some places, but solid. Faded military insignia adorned one corner, and old, decaying equipment was scattered across the floor. The group spread out, their movements hushed as they explored the new space.
Alex immediately took charge, issuing commands as she surveyed the area. "We'll set up base here for now, but we need to secure this place. Ethan, Mara—start checking for any weak points in the structure. Gabriel, if you have any more intel on those reinforcements, now's the time to share it."
Gabriel leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as if unconcerned by the urgency in Alex's voice. "They're moving in fast, but they won't find this place unless they're already looking for it. We've got some time, but not much."
Alex nodded, but Ethan could see the subtle tension in her posture. She didn't fully trust Gabriel either, but she was pragmatic—she knew they needed his help, at least for now.
Gabriel's eyes flicked to Ethan, and he offered a small smirk. "Don't worry, hero. We're all on the same side here."
Ethan's jaw clenched, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he focused on the task at hand, motioning for Mara to follow him as they started inspecting the bunker's perimeter.
As they worked, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that Gabriel was too calm, too collected. It was as if he knew something they didn't, and the more Ethan thought about it, the more certain he became that Gabriel had his own agenda. It was only a matter of time before it clashed with theirs.
A few hours later, after everyone had settled into the bunker, tensions simmered beneath the surface. Gabriel's group kept to themselves, huddled in the far corner, whispering amongst each other. Alex stood near the center of the room, her back to the wall, watching everything with hawk-like focus. Mara was inspecting the supplies they had salvaged, counting their dwindling rations and ammunition.
Ethan finally broke the silence, stepping toward Alex. "We can't keep doing this."
She looked up at him, her expression guarded. "Doing what?"
"Trusting people who could get us killed," he said, lowering his voice. "Gabriel and his group—we don't know anything about them. We're walking into this blind."
Alex sighed, running a hand through her tangled hair. "I know. But we don't have the luxury of being picky right now. We're outnumbered, outgunned, and we need every ally we can get."
Ethan frowned. "Ally? Or liability?"
"They have military training," she said sharply. "That's more than we can say for most of us. And you saw the reinforcements. We're not going to survive this on our own."
"That doesn't mean we have to trust them blindly."
Alex stared at him for a long moment, then glanced over at Gabriel, who was talking quietly with one of his men. Her jaw tightened. "I don't trust him. But I'm not willing to throw away a chance at surviving just because I'm afraid of what might happen."
Ethan's voice dropped lower, his frustration bubbling up. "And what if you're wrong? What if Gabriel has his own plans, and we're just stepping into his trap?"
Alex met his gaze, her voice softening just enough that only he could hear it. "I can't afford to be wrong, Ethan. Not anymore."
He wanted to argue, to push harder, but the exhaustion in her eyes stopped him. She was carrying the weight of every decision, every death, and it was crushing her. As much as he hated it, he knew she was doing what she thought was best for all of them. Even if it meant taking risks.
Before he could say anything more, Gabriel approached, his steps deliberate as he crossed the room. He stopped a few feet from them, his expression unreadable.
"We need to talk," Gabriel said, his tone even but firm.
Alex nodded, motioning for Ethan to stay put. She stepped closer to Gabriel, crossing her arms over her chest. "What is it?"
Gabriel's eyes flicked toward his group for a moment, then back to her. "We're in a bad spot. Those reinforcements? They're not just looking for survivors—they're looking for someone specific."
Alex's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Gabriel hesitated for the first time, his gaze shifting uncomfortably. "There's a high-ranking officer with them. He's not just leading the patrols—he's hunting someone. Someone important."
Ethan's instincts flared. "And how do you know that?"
Gabriel's jaw tightened. "Because I used to work for him. Before all of this."
Alex's eyes narrowed. "You're saying you were part of the enemy?"
Gabriel held up a hand. "I was part of the military. When things went south, I got out, but I've heard rumors. The officer leading the reinforcements? His name's Lieutenant Hawke. He's been hunting survivors—specifically, ones with connections to high-value targets."
Ethan's stomach dropped. "High-value targets like who?"
Gabriel's gaze locked on Alex, his voice grave. "Like you."
The room fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of Gabriel's words settling over them like a thick fog. Ethan's hand instinctively moved to his weapon, his eyes darting toward Alex. She remained unnervingly still, her mind working rapidly behind those sharp eyes.
"Why me?" Alex asked finally, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Gabriel glanced around cautiously, lowering his voice. "Your name's on a list. A list of people the higher-ups think are dangerous or know too much. You're a threat to them, Alex. They won't stop until you're dead."
Ethan felt the anger boiling inside him, his voice laced with frustration. "And when were you planning on telling us this?"
Gabriel met his glare without flinching. "When it mattered."
Ethan's fists clenched, but Alex stepped forward, her focus completely on Gabriel. "So what now?"
Gabriel exhaled slowly, glancing between them. "Now we figure out a way to take them down before they get to us. But it won't be easy. Hawke's dangerous, and he'll have backup."
Alex didn't hesitate, her voice firm with determination. "Then we'll stop him. We're not running anymore."
Ethan's heart pounded, the cracks in their foundation deepening. Trust was fragile, and one wrong move could shatter everything. But as long as they stuck together, they still had a chance.
For now.