Chapter 57: Double-Cross
The forest's oppressive quiet swallowed Alex and Ethan as they moved through dense, twisted undergrowth, their footsteps muffled by layers of decaying leaves. Shadows loomed overhead, twisting as branches tangled together, forming a dark, thorny canopy that blocked most of the fading sunlight. Alex's mind churned with the warlord's proposition, a dangerous bargain that left her feeling cornered and unsettled, yet she couldn't deny its pull. It was the kind of gamble that had once been second nature to her, but now, with Ethan by her side, the stakes felt higher.
Ethan's presence next to her had always been a source of strength, grounding her when the weight of survival became unbearable. But now, it felt like a tether keeping her from diving headfirst into the chaos she'd once embraced. Each step felt heavy, weighted by the unspoken words between them, the emotions simmering under his stoic exterior as he marched beside her.
