Chapter 19 – Shadows Between Trees
Branches whipped past them as they ran through the darkness, breath misting in the cold air. The forest floor was slick, each step crunching leaves that sounded too loud, too revealing. Dylan held Erica's hand tightly, guiding her through the maze of trees illuminated only by the faint moonlight.
"Keep low," he whispered. "Don't stop."
Behind them, faint beams of light flickered through the branches — distant, but growing nearer.
Erica's lungs burned, her heart thundering in her chest. She wasn't sure if it was fear or adrenaline keeping her upright. The night smelled like damp soil and pine, heavy and sharp in her throat.
After what felt like forever, Dylan slowed and crouched behind a fallen log. "We can't outrun them if they've got trackers," he murmured. "We need to split up."
Erica turned to him, shaking her head. "No. I'm not leaving you."
"It's the only way," he said, voice low but firm. "They'll expect us to stick together. If we divide, I can draw them away — you'll have a chance to reach the safe zone near the cliffs."
Tears stung her eyes. "You expect me to just run while you—"
"I expect you to survive." His tone softened, the command in his voice replaced by something gentler. "You're the only one who can tell the truth about what's on that drive. That's what they're after — not me."
Erica bit her lip, trembling. "You can't ask me to do this."
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. His touch lingered, warm despite the cold. "I'm not asking. I'm trusting you."
The silence between them stretched, filled with unspoken fear and something heavier — something that almost felt like goodbye.
Finally, she nodded. "Where will we meet?"
He hesitated. "There's an old service tunnel near the cliffs. If I'm not there by dawn… you go on without me."
Her throat tightened. "Dylan—"
He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers. For a moment, time froze — the sounds of the forest faded, the chase forgotten. "Trust me," he whispered.
Then, before she could argue, he turned and slipped into the darkness, moving soundlessly between the trees until he vanished from sight.
Erica stood there, tears blurring her vision, the echo of his footsteps fading like a heartbeat slowing to silence. The forest seemed to close around her, swallowing the last bit of warmth he left behind.
She drew in a shaky breath and started moving in the opposite direction. Every rustle, every snap of a twig made her flinch, but she forced herself forward — toward the cliffs, toward whatever came next.
The drive was still in her jacket pocket, pulsing faintly against her chest like it was alive, like it could feel her fear.
She didn't know what waited at the end of the trail.
But she knew one thing — Dylan wouldn't have risked everything if the truth wasn't worth it.
And now, the truth was in her hands.
To be continued...
By chizzy