Chapter 19: Shadows in Pursuit
The morning air was crisp, the forest alive with the hum of insects and the occasional rustle of leaves. Adam and Henry packed their camp quickly, their movements hurried but deliberate. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on them.
"You think those guys were just random thugs?" Adam asked as he rolled up his sleeping bag.
Henry shook his head. "No. They were too prepared, and they knew exactly what we had. Someone tipped them off."
Adam frowned. "Great. We've got enemies, and we don't even know who they are."
Adam glanced at his phone, trying not to laugh. "Glad you're enjoying this."
Henry raised an eyebrow. "What's it saying now?"
"Something about me being a chaotic hero," Adam muttered. "Not helping, by the way."
As they trudged through the forest, Henry kept the map tucked securely in his jacket while Adam carried the disc. The route marked on the map was anything but straightforward. It wound through dense forests, across rivers, and into increasingly rugged terrain.
By midday, they reached a clearing near a small stream. Adam dropped to his knees, splashing water on his face.
"Do you think we're close?" he asked, looking up at Henry.
Henry unfolded the map, his brow furrowing. "Hard to say. The landmarks on this thing are vague at best. But we're definitely heading in the right direction."
Adam stared at the phone. "How do you know that?"
"Slow? We're walking through a forest," Adam muttered.
Henry tapped Adam on the shoulder, interrupting the exchange. "We need to keep moving. This clearing's too exposed."
The sun dipped lower in the sky as they climbed a steep incline. The forest around them grew darker, the canopy thickening until only slivers of light filtered through.
"Do you hear that?" Adam whispered, pausing mid-step.
Henry stopped, his hand instinctively going to his knife. For a moment, the forest seemed unnaturally quiet, as if holding its breath. Then, the faint sound of footsteps echoed behind them.
"Someone's following us," Henry said grimly.
Adam's heart pounded. "What do we do?"
Henry glanced around, his eyes scanning the dense underbrush. "We set a trap."
"Noted," Adam muttered.
They found a narrow path surrounded by thick bushes, perfect for an ambush. Henry motioned for Adam to hide behind a tree while he crouched low, his knife glinting in the fading light.
The footsteps grew louder, accompanied by murmured voices. Adam gripped the disc tightly, his palms sweaty.
Two figures emerged from the shadows, their movements cautious. They wore masks similar to the ones from the night before, but their weapons were more sophisticated—guns slung over their shoulders and knives at their hips.
Henry moved like a shadow, springing from his hiding spot and taking down the first man with a swift blow to the head. The second turned, raising his gun, but Adam, acting on instinct, hurled the disc at him.
The glowing artifact struck the man's wrist, knocking the weapon from his hand. Henry closed the distance in an instant, subduing him with brutal efficiency.
"You're getting good at this," Henry said, retrieving the disc and handing it back to Adam.
Adam swallowed hard, trying to steady his breathing. "Thanks. I think."
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind," Adam muttered.
Henry crouched beside the conscious attacker, pulling off his mask. The man glared up at him, his jaw clenched.
"Who sent you?" Henry demanded.
The man said nothing.
Henry pressed the knife to his throat. "Talk."
After a tense moment, the man sneered. "You think you can stop this? There are more of us than you can imagine. You're already too late."
Adam felt a chill run down his spine. "Too late for what?"
The man's grin widened. "You'll see."
Henry knocked him out with a swift blow to the temple, his expression dark.
"We need to move," he said, standing. "Now."
As night fell, they found a secluded spot to camp, lighting a small, contained fire. Adam stared at the flames, his mind racing with questions.
"Do you think we're being hunted?" he asked.
Henry nodded. "No doubt about it. Whoever these people are, they know exactly what we're after."
Adam glanced at his phone.
"Yeah, except I don't feel like a hero," Adam said.
Henry smirked faintly. "Your phone always this chatty?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Adam replied.
End of Chapter 19