Chapter 17

The snow was falling heavily in the dark forest, stinging Valentina's face as the flakes hit her skin. She gripped her flashlight tightly and followed Chris through the snow, taking each step carefully. "There's movement up ahead." Chris suddenly stopped, his voice barely a whisper. Valentina held her breath and looked where he was pointing. In the distance, she could make out flashlight beams dancing through the trees, along with the faint sound of metal clanking. "Poachers." Chris turned to look at her, frost already forming on his scarf. "Stay here. Don't move, and stay alert." Valentina nodded. "Be careful." Chris' figure quickly vanished into the dark pine forest. Valentina pressed herself against a thick tree trunk, her heart hammering so loudly from nerves that she had to hold her breath just to calm down. The wind howled around her as she strained to listen for sounds in the distance. Suddenly, she heard a sharp crack behind her, the sound of a branch snapping underfoot.