The forest was alive with rain and breathless urgency. Every branch that cracked beneath their boots sounded like thunder. The air was thick with mud, gun oil, and fear — the kind that lodged itself deep in the chest and refused to move.
Kai led the way, moving like a shadow that knew the dark by heart. His steps were measured, deliberate, his hand hovering near his weapon. Behind him, Ezra tried to match his pace, though his heart raced faster than his feet could follow. Jace brought up the rear, muttering curses between teeth, while Mara limped slightly but never slowed down.
"Keep low," Kai ordered without looking back. "We follow the river east until it forks. Once we reach the bridge, we split."
Ezra's voice came out in a shaky whisper. "Split? That's suicide."
"It's survival," Kai said simply. "If they catch one group, the others keep moving."
Mara grunted, "Romantic as always, boss. Planning to draw straws for who gets to die first?"
Kai ignored her. "We need to buy time. The storm's on our side — for now."
The forest canopy above them rippled with lightning, painting the night in flashes of white. Ezra's vision blurred as rain mixed with sweat. His fingers ached from gripping his gun too tightly. Every sound behind them felt too close — as if the hunters were breathing down their necks.
When they finally reached the river, Kai raised a hand. Everyone froze. The water was swollen from the rain, rushing fast and loud. It would drown out their footsteps, but it would also slow them down.
Ezra's teeth chattered. "How deep do you think—"
"Deep enough to hide a trail," Kai cut in. "We move through it for a mile. Keep your balance and stay quiet."
Before Ezra could argue, Kai stepped into the current, the cold biting instantly through his boots. He didn't flinch. He never did. Ezra followed reluctantly, gasping as the icy water wrapped around his legs like chains.
Jace groaned. "Fantastic. Nature's ice bath."
Mara shot him a glare. "Better than a bullet."
They waded in silence for what felt like hours. The sound of the current was deafening, their breaths ragged, shoulders heavy with exhaustion. The forest around them seemed endless, a labyrinth of dripping leaves and shifting shadows.
Ezra stumbled once, nearly falling. A firm hand caught his arm before he hit the water. Kai.
"Watch your footing," Kai said quietly, steadying him.
Ezra's breath hitched. "You don't have to—"
"I do." Kai's grip lingered for a second too long before he pulled away. "You're no good to anyone if you freeze."
Ezra's heart beat faster, though the rest of him felt numb. He wanted to say something — anything — but the words drowned in the roar of the river.
By the time they crawled onto the opposite bank, the rain had eased to a drizzle. Kai motioned for silence, crouching low. He scanned the treeline, eyes sharp, every muscle coiled and ready.
"They're close," he muttered.
"How do you know?" Ezra asked.
Kai pointed to the ground. Boot prints — fresh, deep, too many to count.
Jace swore under his breath. "They're hunting in formation."
"Then we move faster," Kai said.
But Mara shook her head. "You can't outrun dogs forever. You need to break scent."
Kai glanced at her, assessing. "You have an idea?"
She smirked, exhaustion fading under adrenaline. "I always do. We split up, just like you said — but not by chance."
Jace's brow arched. "And what brilliant plan do you have, sweetheart?"
Mara dumped her soaked backpack open, pulling out a bottle of oil and two strips of cloth. "We light a false trail. Burn the scent, give them smoke to choke on."
Ezra stared. "You're going to set the forest on fire?"
"Not the whole thing," she said dryly. "Just enough to make them think they've cornered us."
Kai hesitated — the first sign of uncertainty Ezra had ever seen from him. "If the wind changes—"
"It's already changed," Mara cut in. "Trust me, I've done worse."
Kai studied her, then gave a small nod. "Do it."
While Mara and Jace prepared the makeshift decoy, Kai motioned for Ezra to follow him deeper into the woods. They moved in silence, their only company the sound of distant thunder and their own uneven breathing.
"Why me?" Ezra asked quietly.
Kai didn't slow. "Because if they find the others, I'll need you to stay alive."
Ezra frowned. "That's not a compliment."
"It's not meant to be."
Ezra bit his lip. "You always do that."
"Do what?"
"Turn everything into a mission. Like you can't afford to be human."
Kai stopped, turning to face him. The rain dripped from his hair, streaking across his cheek. For once, he didn't look like a commander. He looked tired. Haunted. Real.
"Being human gets people killed," he said softly.
Ezra stepped closer. "And being a machine keeps you alone."
Their gazes locked — unyielding, electric. The forest around them seemed to fade until there was only the sound of rain and their breaths mingling in the dark.
Kai's jaw tightened. "This isn't the time."
"Then when?" Ezra's voice cracked. "When we're both dead? When you've burned through every ounce of feeling just to prove you don't need anyone?"
Kai's expression wavered. For a heartbeat, he looked like he might walk away. Then, without warning, he reached out and cupped the back of Ezra's neck, dragging him closer.
The kiss wasn't gentle — it was desperate, unspoken, born from fear and defiance. The rain slicked their faces, cold against the heat of their mouths. Ezra's hands fisted in Kai's jacket, pulling him closer, breath stolen between them.
When Kai finally broke the kiss, his forehead rested against Ezra's. His voice was low, raw. "You make me reckless."
Ezra's lips trembled. "Good."
They stood there for a moment, breathing the same air, hearts thundering against each other's chests. Then Kai's earpiece crackled, shattering the fragile silence.
Mara's voice came through, urgent. "They took the bait. You've got five minutes before the fire gets too close. Move east, now!"
Kai was already on his feet, pulling Ezra up. "Let's go."
They ran. Branches whipped against their faces, roots snagging their boots. The smell of smoke chased them through the trees, thick and acrid. Somewhere behind them, dogs barked — then yelped as the fire reached their handlers.
Ezra's lungs burned. His legs screamed. He stumbled again, but Kai caught him, dragging him forward without a word. They didn't stop until the trees thinned and the dark outline of the bridge came into view through the haze.
"We made it," Ezra gasped.
Kai shook his head. "Not yet."
Gunfire erupted behind them — sharp, echoing. The hunters had realized too late that they'd been tricked.
Jace's voice crackled through the comms. "We're pinned at the ridge. Can you cover us?"
Kai swore, eyes narrowing. "Position?"
"North slope," Jace replied, voice strained. "We'll hold for two minutes — maybe."
Ezra looked at him. "Kai, we can't—"
But Kai was already moving, checking his weapon. "Stay here."
Ezra grabbed his arm. "You'll get yourself killed!"
Kai's voice was calm, resolute. "Better me than them."
Before Ezra could stop him, Kai was gone — swallowed by the storm.
Ezra stood trembling on the edge of the bridge, rain running down his face like tears. His chest ached with more than exhaustion. For a second, he almost followed. Almost.
Then, in the distance, a single gunshot echoed — sharp, final.
Ezra froze.
"Kai?" he whispered into the comm.
Static.
The rain fell harder. The forest burned behind him, and the sound of his own heartbeat filled the silence.
For the first time since it all began, Ezra didn't know if he was running toward safety — or away from everything that made him human.