"Stop!" General Marcus said. His voice cut through the morning like a sharp knife. He raised his hand quickly, and the soldiers behind him stopped at once. The sound of boots stopping together echoed softly through the quiet forest plain.
In front of them, the ground didn't look normal. The soil was disturbed footprints. Fresh ones. The edges were still soft, not yet blown away by wind or faded by time.
"They match what we saw in our search logs," a scout said, crouching. He ran his fingers over the print. "Heel-first. These are fresh. Maybe within the last hour."
The soldiers dropped to their knees, checking the ground closely. They looked at every boot print, every broken twig. The footprints led to a place where several paths crossed like a spider's web.
That's where things got messy.
The trail became confusing. Footprints overlapped. Some were heavy, others light. It looked like a scribbled page messy and mixed up.
General Nicks stepped forward. He frowned, studying the prints. "These… look like a man and a young woman," he said quietly. "But it's hard to tell."
Everything pointed to their mission: two people running through the forest. But the trail was twisted and strange. Some prints were clean, others doubled back. It looked like Tony and Gabby had crossed paths, then switched places like a dance meant to confuse anyone following them.
They had been close. Very close. But they had escaped without a sound.
The soldiers stood still. The air felt heavy with tension. Somewhere ahead, the fugitives were still on the move.
And they weren't far.
Deep in the forest, the air felt damp and thick. Every branch and leaf held moisture. Insects buzzed, and birds called in the distance ,hiding any quiet movement.
"Who are you?" Gabby asked again, more firmly. Her eyes narrowed. Her voice was sharp.
Tony sat awkwardly in a pit. His face was bruised, his eyes tired. His body ached from falling. He tried to crawl back, away from her, but stumbled.
"You… you won't leave me here, will you?" he asked weakly, though something in his voice sounded desperate.
Gabby looked at him. Her face softened, but just a little. "Yeah, sure," she said. "I won't let you die."
She reached out her hand.
Tony hesitated. Then he took it. Her grip was strong. She pulled him up like he was light as a feather.
"Thanks," he mumbled, brushing off dirt. He didn't look at her.
"Let's go," Gabby said quickly. Her eyes scanned ahead. "The soldiers could be close. We don't have much time."
They were far into the forest now .. after crossing dangerous paths from Mount Gee, hiding in the dark Cave of Storms, and now heading toward the strange land of Abergdon.
Tony's mind was full of doubts.
This isn't where I'm meant to be. I don't belong here. I shouldn't be near her.
A cold thought crept in.
What if she led us into that cave? What if she's trying to trap me… and the others too?
His chest tightened. He slowed down.
"Let's go!" Gabby said sharply, moving ahead again.
Tony didn't answer. He just followed. He had no choice.
One thing was clear ,they were running. Together. And the soldiers were getting closer.
Their steps quickened. Branches scratched at them. Leaves rustled. The air got thicker as the sun rose higher. Morning was passing fast.
The forest was alive.
And the chase wasn't over.
Gabby moved like she knew the forest well. Every step she took was fast and sure. She didn't look back.
Tony followed. He had caught his breath, but he still felt nervous. He didn't know if he could trust her or himself.
Elsewhere… in the Cave of Storms
"I'm worried," Elsie said softly. She paced the small cave, arms wrapped around herself. Her steps echoed lightly. "They're still not back."
Skyler sat in the corner, arms crossed. Her back rested against the cold stone wall. "Yeah. I've been thinking…" she said. "What if Gabby trapped us here? What if she wants to kill Tony… and come for us next?"
Elsie froze. Her eyes widened. "No… she wouldn't. She's…" She stopped. "Actually… maybe she would."
Skyler nodded. "Exactly. Look at us. Stuck in this cave. No tools. No signal. No way out. Just waiting."
Elsie's voice cracked. "I should've stayed outside. I could've hidden somewhere. Maybe climbed a tree."
"You'd die out there," Skyler replied flatly. "A wild boar would probably attack you in your sleep."
"A boar?" Elsie made a face. "I've never seen one."
"That's because I read it online," Skyler said. "Nature blogs and survival videos."
"What's interret?" Skyler asked.
Elsie blinked. Then smiled a little. "It's internet... never mind."
They both went quiet. Then Skyler gently placed a hand on Elsie's shoulder.
"They'll come back soon," she said. "They have to."
Back in the forest…
"Wait," Gabby whispered, raising her hand.
Tony stopped. "What is it?"
She didn't answer. Her ears twitched. Her eyes narrowed. She had sensed something.
A sound. A rustle.
Not the wind. Not animals. Something… different.
Tony looked where she was looking up.
There. In the trees.
Movement.
Something or someone was hiding in the branches. Watching.
Tony acted fast. He grabbed Gabby's shoulder.
But she was faster.
She twisted his wrist, swept his leg, and slammed him to the ground. She stood over him, thinking he was tricking her.
"No! Look!" Tony gasped, pointing past her.
Gabby turned.
There. A flicker in the leaves. Something watching.
Tony didn't wait. He grabbed her waist and pulled her. They tumbled down a slope, rolling fast through branches and leaves. Dirt flew around them.
They hit the soft ground below.
Above, footsteps. Voices. A whistle.
The soldiers.
Had they been seen?.....
Gabby lay on Tony. Her breath hit his cheek. Her hair was in his face. Their eyes met ;wide and full of tension.
"What was that?" she whispered.
"I saved us," Tony said, panting. "I think… they saw us."
Gabby sat up fast, brushing back her hair. She looked toward the slope.
"No," she said. "Not yet. But they're close. Too close. We have to move. Now...