The road stretched out before us, desolate and eerily quiet, flanked by dense forests on either side. The cabin disappeared behind the curtain of trees as we moved swiftly, our footsteps blending with the rustle of the leaves in the gentle breeze. Mara led the way, her movements purposeful, her eyes scanning every shadow for signs of danger. I followed close behind, the weight of exhaustion still clinging to my body but unable to dull the urgency that propelled us forward.
The map Mara had shown me earlier lingered in my thoughts, especially the red circle marking the network's so-called "command center." The implications of going after such a place were enormous, but it was also the only chance we had to turn the tide. Still, doubts gnawed at me.
"Mara," I said after a while, breaking the silence. "Do you really think we can pull this off? I mean... it's not just us against a few people. It's an entire system."
She glanced back at me, her expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought she wouldn't answer. Then she spoke, her voice steady but tinged with a hardness that made my chest tighten.
"We don't have a choice, Psychobi. This isn't about winning or losing anymore. It's about doing what's right. Exposing them. Even if it costs us everything."
Her words hung in the air like a heavy cloud. I didn't respond, partly because I didn't know what to say and partly because I knew she was right. The truth wasn't just a weapon—it was our only weapon. And we had to wield it, no matter the consequences.
We walked in silence for another hour before Mara abruptly stopped, holding up her hand. I froze, my senses sharpening as I scanned the area for whatever had caught her attention. At first, I saw nothing unusual—just the endless trees and the empty road. But then I heard it: the faint hum of an engine.
"Get down," Mara hissed, pulling me off the road and into the cover of the trees. We crouched low, the underbrush prickling against my skin as I strained to listen. The hum grew louder, closer, until the unmistakable shape of a black SUV emerged in the distance.
The vehicle slowed as it approached the stretch of road near us. My pulse quickened as it came to a stop, the engine idling. Two men stepped out, both dressed in dark tactical gear, their movements deliberate and precise. They weren't just looking for us—they were trained for this.
Mara's hand tightened around her knife, her eyes locked on the men as they began to scan the area. One of them pulled out a device that emitted a soft, rhythmic beeping. My stomach churned as I realized what it was: a tracker.
"They're sweeping," Mara whispered, barely audible. "They're looking for any sign of us."
Panic bubbled in my chest, but Mara's calm presence kept me grounded. She motioned for me to stay put while she crept forward, her movements silent and practiced. I watched as she disappeared deeper into the foliage, my heart pounding.
The men moved methodically, their focus on the device and the surrounding area. I held my breath, every muscle in my body tensed as they drew closer. One of them paused, his gaze sweeping in my direction, and for a terrifying moment, I thought he had spotted me.
Then there was a sharp, muffled sound—a flash of movement in the shadows. The man staggered, clutching his neck, and collapsed to the ground. His partner whirled around, drawing his weapon, but Mara was faster. She emerged from the trees like a ghost, her knife flashing as she took him down with ruthless efficiency.
It was over in seconds.
I stared, stunned, as Mara wiped her blade on the fallen man's uniform and motioned for me to join her. My legs felt like jelly as I stumbled out of the underbrush, my mind struggling to process what had just happened.
"Are you okay?" Mara asked, her voice low but steady.
I nodded, though I wasn't sure if I believed it myself. "What now?" I managed to say, my voice shaky.
She crouched beside the men, searching their pockets and gear. "We take what we can use and get out of here before backup arrives. These two won't be the last ones."
She handed me one of their radios and a compact pistol. "Keep this on you. If they're using comms, we can listen in. And don't hesitate to use the gun if you have to."
I nodded again, the weight of the pistol foreign in my hand. Mara's composure was unnerving, but it also gave me a strange sense of reassurance. She had been through this before—more than once, I suspected—and she knew how to survive.
We moved quickly, leaving the bodies hidden among the trees. The SUV was too risky to take, Mara explained; it would be tracked. Instead, we returned to the road on foot, our pace faster now, the urgency of the situation driving us forward.
As we walked, I couldn't shake the image of Mara in action—the precision, the lack of hesitation. It was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. I had always known she was capable, but seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.
"You've done this before," I said after a while, breaking the silence.
Mara glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "A long time ago," she said simply.
I wanted to ask more, to understand the person walking beside me, but the look in her eyes told me now wasn't the time. There were bigger questions to answer, bigger threats to face.
And as we pushed onward, I couldn't help but wonder: how much of Mara's past was tied to the shadows we were fighting now? And how far were we both willing to go to see this through?
........
"Don't miss the chance to get advanced chapters of my novel for FREE! Just copy the link now and start reading!"
🚨 Chapter Locked!
To read the next chapter:
🔗 Copy this link: https://unlockcontent.net/cp/i/q8320?preview=1
📖 Chapter will unlock right after. Enjoy the secrets!