Chapter 14: Running in the Dark

The night air was thick with tension as Ava sprinted through the darkened woods, Daniel and Mark Turner close behind her. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, and the trees blurred around her as she pushed herself to keep moving. Gunfire still echoed in her ears, and one thing: Lucas consumed her thoughts. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, couldn’t stop worrying about whether he was okay. Before he sent her away, the look in his eyes haunted her—a mix of determination and fear, like he knew this could be the last time they saw each other. “Come on, Ava!” Daniel urged his voice strained. “We need to keep moving. We’re not out of danger yet.” Ava nodded, trying to focus on the path ahead. “I know,” she panted. “But we can’t leave Lucas behind.” “We’re not leaving him,” Daniel replied firmly. “He told us to go, and we’re doing that. He’ll find his way back.” Mark Turner stumbled beside them, his face pale and panicked. “Are you sure he’ll be okay? Those men… they looked serious.” A