The explosion had barely died down when Marcus turned his attention to Eva, her chest heaving as she wiped the dirt and sweat from her brow. They were safe, for now, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins was still relentless."Eva," Marcus called, his voice softer this time.She looked at him, her eyes fierce, but something in the way she was breathing—slower, more deliberate—showed that the danger had passed, and relief had finally settled in."I’m fine," she muttered, though she couldn’t hide the slight tremor in her voice. "You don’t have to look at me like that."Marcus chuckled, stepping closer. "Like what?""Like you’re waiting for me to collapse. I’m tougher than I look, remember?""I know you are," Marcus replied, a smirk tugging at his lips. "But that doesn’t mean I can’t worry."Eva met his eyes for a beat longer than usual, her gaze softening. "Worry about yourself first.""I do." He reached out, lightly brushing a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead.

The hum of the base settled around Marcus and Eva like a familiar blanket, but the warmth of their moment lingered in the air, electrifying and new. As the remnants of their kiss faded, reality intruded, reminding them of the chaos still lurking outside their fragile bubble.“Marcus?” Eva’s voice broke the silence, laced with an edge of uncertainty.“Yeah?” He held her gaze, searching for answers in the depths of her expressive eyes.“What happens now?” The question hung heavily between them, filled with possibilities that stretched beyond the confines of their mission. It was both a declaration and a challenge, one that hinted at the complexities ahead.Marcus stepped back, a gentle yet firm separation that spoke volumes. “I think we take it one day at a time. We can’t ignore the world outside, but we don’t have to ignore this—us.” He gestured between them, hoping to convey the mix of excitement and fear they both felt.Eva nodded, though her brow remained furrowed. “It’s just… dang

Marcus stirred, feeling the stiffness in his body as the soft, sterile light of the hospital wing illuminated his surroundings. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust. The distant murmur of hospital staff and beeping machines created an unsettling ambiance.Eva: You're awake. Finally.Her voice was soft, but the tension in her tone was undeniable. Marcus shifted, wincing at the pain in his side. He turned his head, finding Eva sitting beside him, arms crossed, staring at him intently.Marcus: I... Where am I?Eva: Secure wing of the base hospital. You’ve been out for two days.Marcus let that sink in. Two days.Marcus: Two days?Eva: Yeah, and not without causing a scene. You flatlined twice on the operating table. Her voice cracked, betraying the concern she had tried so hard to hide.Marcus: I don't remember much after the extraction...Eva: You shouldn’t. You were bleeding out. I had to drag you to that chopper. It was close, Marcus. Too close.Marcus felt the weight of her word

The stillness of the cabin was suddenly pierced by the low growl of an engine outside, causing Marcus to shoot up from the cot. The tranquility of their hideout shattered as fear coursed through him."Did you hear that?" Marcus whispered."Yeah. Everyone, stay low," Eva replied, instantly alert.Coleman quickly moved to the window, peeking through the gaps in the wooden slats. The engine noise grew louder, and Marcus’s heart raced as he reached for the pistol in the duffel bag."It's too close. We need to move. They might have found us already," Coleman said urgently."No. We’re not running again. Not until we know who it is," Marcus stated firmly."The back door. We can sneak out through the woods. If they’re looking for you, we can’t risk being caught," Eva pointed out.Coleman nodded, still scanning the outside. "Marcus, you need to trust us on this. If they have your trail, we’ll be sitting ducks here," Coleman insisted.Marcus glanced between them, his resolve firm. "Fine. Let’s

as they made their way through the dense forest. Marcus's breaths were shallow, and Eva's heart pounded with fear. Coleman led the way, his eyes scanning the path ahead for any signs of danger."Stay with us, Marcus," Eva whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "We’re almost there."Coleman glanced over his shoulder, worry etched in his features. "Just a little further, Eva. He’s strong. He’ll make it."The night was eerily quiet now, the threat of Harris momentarily gone. But they all knew this was far from over. Marcus was their leader, their anchor in this fight. Losing him wasn't an option.The forest was alive with the sounds of pursuit—boots crashing through the underbrush, voices barking orders, and the unmistakable click of guns being reloaded. Coleman and Eva pushed forward with Marcus slung between them, his body limp and growing colder by the second. Every few moments, Marcus stirred, groaning through clenched teeth as his consciousness flickered in and out. “We have