They were close to the northern mountains when the gunshots echoed from the trees.
Lolly's hand flew to her pistol. "Who's shooting?"
Geo crouched low, eyes narrow. "Not zombies. Humans."
Eko sniffed the air — something he should not have been able to do — and whispered:
"They're coming… eight of them."
Lolly blinked. "How can you tell—"
But it was too late. Figures emerged from the fog wearing black masks and bone-white armor.
The Hunters of the Mist.
Their leader, a broad man with silver hair, stepped forward.
"Drop the hybrid," he commanded.
Geo froze. "Hybrid…?"
Their guns pointed directly at Eko.
Eko growled under his breath. His muscles tightened involuntarily.
Lolly stepped in front of him. "He's not a monster."
The leader raised his rifle.
"That's exactly what monsters say before they kill you."
Then all guns clicked.
And the forest exploded into violence.