Clara's heart pounded as she watched Damien walk toward the dark SUV parked by the edge of the woods. He hadn't even looked back after dropping the bombshell—the Harbingers were coming. And they were coming for Lucas.
She pressed her palm against the rough wooden wall of the cabin, her breath shallow and quick. "This can't be happening," she whispered, the words barely audible.
Lucas's tiny hand tugged at her sleeve, breaking through her spiraling thoughts. "Mommy, who are the Harbingers?" His wide eyes shimmered with both fear and curiosity.
Clara crouched down, brushing a hand over his curls. "They're... people we need to stay away from. That's why we need to be very brave, okay?" Her voice cracked, but she forced a smile for his sake.
Lucas nodded solemnly, clutching his stuffed wolf tighter.
The sound of footsteps approaching snapped her back to reality. Damien was back, his jaw set, his expression unreadable. "We need to move," he said without preamble.
Clara straightened, her body tense. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
"You don't have a choice," Damien snapped, his voice low but urgent. "If they find him, they'll take him. And they won't stop there."
Clara stepped in front of Lucas, her protective instincts flaring. "Why should I trust you? You left us. You don't get to come back and give orders."
Damien's eyes softened, just for a moment. "I know I've made mistakes. But right now, none of that matters. Lucas is in danger, and I'm the only one who can protect him."
Before Clara could respond, a low rumble echoed in the distance. It wasn't thunder.
Damien's head snapped toward the sound, his body going rigid. "They're here."
The color drained from Clara's face. "Already?"
"They're faster than I expected." Damien pulled a sleek black pistol from the holster under his jacket, checking the clip with practiced efficiency. "We don't have much time. Get whatever you need for Lucas, and get in the car."
Clara hesitated, her mind racing. She hated him for his arrogance, for his secrets, but there was no denying the fear in his voice—or the reality of the danger closing in.
She grabbed Lucas's small backpack, stuffing it with clothes, snacks, and his favorite book. Lucas stood silently by her side, his eyes darting between her and Damien.
"Mommy, are we going on an adventure?" he asked, his voice small.
Clara forced another smile, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Something like that, sweetheart."
The moment they stepped outside, the chill in the air felt sharper, the night darker. Damien's SUV loomed ahead, its engine already running. He opened the back door, motioning for them to get in.
Clara hesitated, every fiber of her being screaming at her to run the other way. But where would they go? Who could they turn to?
"Clara," Damien said, his voice low but firm. "Please."
She glanced down at Lucas, then back at Damien. With a deep breath, she climbed into the car, pulling Lucas onto her lap. Damien shut the door behind them and slid into the driver's seat.
As the SUV roared to life and sped down the narrow dirt road, Clara couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just made a deal with the devil.
---
The car ride was tense and silent, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves outside. Clara kept her arms wrapped around Lucas, her eyes darting to the rearview mirror every few seconds.
Damien's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw clenched. "There's a safe house about twenty miles from here. We'll be safe there for the night."
"For the night?" Clara repeated, her voice rising. "And what happens after that? We just keep running?"
"Until we can figure out a way to stop them, yes."
Clara's laugh was bitter, hollow. "You really think you can stop the Harbingers? Do you even know what they're capable of?"
Damien didn't respond, but the flicker of doubt in his eyes was answer enough.
The SUV jerked suddenly as Damien swerved to avoid something in the road. Lucas let out a small yelp, clutching Clara tightly.
"What was that?" Clara demanded.
"Hold on," Damien said, his voice tense. He pulled the car to a stop, scanning the dark road ahead.
A figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the beam of the headlights.
Clara's breath caught. It was a woman, her long coat billowing in the wind, her face obscured by the shadows.
Damien cursed under his breath. "Stay in the car," he ordered, opening his door and stepping out.
Clara leaned forward, her heart racing. "Damien, who is that?"
He didn't answer.
The woman took a step closer, her movements slow and deliberate. Damien raised his gun, aiming it at her chest. "Stay where you are," he warned.
The woman stopped, raising her hands in a gesture of surrender. "Relax, Damien," she said, her voice calm and melodic. "I'm not here to hurt you."
Clara's stomach twisted. There was something unsettling about the woman's voice, something too smooth, too practiced.
"Who are you?" Damien demanded.
The woman tilted her head, her lips curving into a small smile. "Let's just say I'm an old friend."
Damien didn't lower his gun. "I don't have time for games. Why are you here?"
The woman's smile widened. "To help, of course." Her gaze shifted, landing on the SUV. "You have something the Harbingers want. Something they'll stop at nothing to get."
Clara's blood ran cold.
"Stay away from them," Damien said, his voice a growl.
The woman laughed softly, the sound sending a chill down Clara's spine. "You're in over your head, Damien. But don't worry—I'll make sure you don't drown."
Before Damien could respond, the woman turned and disappeared into the shadows as quickly as she'd appeared.
Damien stood frozen for a moment, his gun still raised. Then, with a muttered curse, he lowered it and climbed back into the car.
"Who was that?" Clara demanded as he slammed the door shut.
"Someone we can't trust," Damien said, his voice tight.
Clara's mind raced with questions, but before she could ask any, the SUV lurched forward, speeding down the road once more.
---
They reached the safe house an hour later—a small, unassuming cabin nestled deep in the woods. Damien parked the SUV and turned to Clara.
"Stay inside. Don't open the door for anyone."
"And where are you going?" Clara asked, her voice sharp.
"I need to secure the perimeter," Damien said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Clara glared at him but didn't respond. Instead, she helped Lucas out of the car and led him inside.
The cabin was sparse but clean, with a single bedroom and a small kitchen. Lucas immediately curled up on the couch, his stuffed wolf clutched to his chest.
Clara sat beside him, her mind racing. Who was that woman? How had the Harbingers found them so quickly? And most importantly, how could she keep Lucas safe?
A loud crash outside snapped her out of her thoughts. She jumped to her feet, her heart pounding.
Damien burst through the door a moment later, his face pale. "They're here."
Clara and Lucas are forced into a confrontation as the Harbingers close in, leaving them with no choice but to fight—or flee again.