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
fade, Marcus could feel the weight of their situation settling back in. They were fugitives, constantly on the run, with no idea of who or what was after them beyond Harris’s cryptic warnings. His heart ached with a mix of frustration and uncertainty."We're not giving up," Marcus finally said, breaking the silence. "We’ll find out who’s behind this, and we’ll take them down."Eva nodded, her eyes glinting with determination. "We have no choice but to fight, Marcus. But we’ll make it out. Together."Coleman, leaning against a tree, grunted in agreement. "We’ve come this far. We’ll see it through."The weight of the night bore down on them, but in that moment, Marcus felt a sense of unity a resolve to face the unknown and fight back against whatever forces were hunting them.Marcus scanned the area, his breathing still heavy from the sprint. His eyes darted to Coleman, who was clutching his side, a grimace etched across his face."Are you hit?" Marcus asked, his voice tense.Coleman sh
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
The moonlight seeped through the shattered door, casting long shadows across the cabin. The air was thick with tension as Harris’s cold, calculating eyes never left Eva. His finger remained firmly on the trigger, aimed directly at Marcus’s head."Last chance," Harris said, his voice low but commanding. "Drop the weapon or I pull the trigger."Eva's heart raced as her hands trembled, gripping her pistol tightly. Her mind screamed at her to think—there had to be a way out of this. But every option seemed to lead to the same conclusion: Marcus wouldn’t survive if she didn’t act fast.Coleman’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. "Eva, don’t do it. He’s bluffing."Harris cocked his head, that cruel smile never leaving his face. "Am I?"In a flash, Harris’s men entered the cabin behind him, weapons drawn. They fanned out, blocking every possible exit. The situation was rapidly slipping out of control.Eva’s eyes darted around, looking for a miracle, but all she saw were the cold, s
his fingers weakly curling around hers. “You don’t have to do this.”Eva’s throat tightened as she felt his touch. “I do. I won’t let you die, Marcus. Not like this.”The weight of unspoken feelings pressed on her chest, but there was no time to acknowledge them fully. Not with Harris and his men watching, waiting to pounce the moment she faltered. She had to stay strong—for Marcus, for Coleman, and for herself.Harris clapped his hands once, breaking the moment. “Touching. Really. But time’s ticking, Eva. You’ve got a decision to make.”Eva stood up, squaring her shoulders. “I’ve made my choice. I’ll get you the codes, but you have to keep them alive.”Harris raised an eyebrow. “You’re in no position to make demands, but… I’ll indulge you. They stay breathing—at least until you deliver.” He motioned to his men. “Let’s go.”One of Harris’s men grabbed Eva’s arm roughly, pulling her toward the door. She glanced back at Marcus, their eyes locking one last time before the cold night air
His fingers weakly curling around hers. “You don’t have to do this.”Eva’s throat tightened as she felt his touch. “I do. I won’t let you die, Marcus. Not like this.”The weight of unspoken feelings pressed on her chest, but there was no time to acknowledge them fully. Not with Harris and his men watching, waiting to pounce the moment she faltered. She had to stay strong—for Marcus, for Coleman, and for herself.Harris clapped his hands once, breaking the moment. “Touching. Really. But time’s ticking, Eva. You’ve got a decision to make.”Eva stood up, squaring her shoulders. “I’ve made my choice. I’ll get you the codes, but you have to keep them alive.”Harris raised an eyebrow. “You’re in no position to make demands, but… I’ll indulge you. They stay breathing—at least until you deliver.” He motioned to his men. “Let’s go.”One of Harris’s men grabbed Eva’s arm roughly, pulling her toward the door. She glanced back at Marcus, their eyes locking one last time before the cold night air
Eva's pulse pounded in her ears as the figure stepped out of the shadows, his face obscured by the dim light. The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, but she couldn’t afford to hesitate.The man took a step closer, his hand resting on the grip of the gun holstered at his side. “I suggest you stop running, Eva.”Eva’s eyes flicked to Marcus, who was still too weak to fight, and then back to the man blocking their path. “Who sent you?” Her voice was firm, masking the fear threatening to creep in.He smirked, pulling his gun out slowly. “Harris, of course. You didn’t think you’d get away that easily, did you?”Eva’s mind raced as she subtly scanned their surroundings. There had to be a way out, something she could use to turn the tide. But right now, they were trapped, with a trained killer standing between them and freedom.Marcus struggled to his feet beside her. “We don’t have time for this,” he muttered, his breath shallow.Eva squeezed his arm, signaling him to stay bac
The cold night air burned in Eva’s lungs as she dragged Marcus through the narrow alley. Behind them, the sound of Harris’s men swarming the scene grew fainter, but Eva knew it was only a matter of time before they were back on their trail.“You… you didn’t have to save me,” Marcus gasped, his voice barely above a whisper.“Shut up and keep moving,” Eva snapped, her tone sharp, but laced with concern. She glanced back at him, his face pale and slick with sweat. “We’re not out of this yet.”“I’m slowing you down,” Marcus muttered, leaning heavily on her. “I’m dead weight.”Eva’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not dead yet. Now shut up and focus on breathing.”Marcus didn’t respond, but his breathing grew more labored. Eva cursed under her breath. They had to find a place to lay low, but there was no time. Not with Harris’s men combing the streets. She glanced at the blood seeping through Marcus’s shirt. They couldn’t stop—not yet.“We need to get you to a doctor,” she muttered, her voice more