The forced retreat continued through the pitch-black night, a desperate, adrenaline-fueled scramble across uneven terrain. The smoke from Valerie's grenades provided initial cover, but the dogs were relentless, their distant howls always a chilling reminder of the pursuit. We abandoned the road entirely, cutting through dense, unforgiving brush that tore at our clothes and scraped our skin. The pace was punishing, forcing everyone to rely on muscle memory and sheer willpower. We moved in a staggered, silent line, the only sounds the rustle of our movement and the heavy, ragged breathing of the column.
Jesse, his usual calm demeanor strained but intact, moved with the wounded Zara, supporting her weight and constantly monitoring the flow of blood from her shoulder. His quick thinking had certainly prevented a much worse outcome, but the injury severely hampered our speed. Kael, having grudgingly accepted our loyalty, took the point position alongside Valerie, their movements efficient and focused on finding the quickest path away from the bandits. They communicated using sharp, coded clicks and hand signals, a testament to their long history of working together.
As the pre-dawn sky began to show a hint of gray, Lexi and I found ourselves at the rear of the column. My legs burned with fatigue, and the need for sleep was a physical ache behind my eyes. I glanced back often, convinced I would see the pursuing shapes materialize out of the receding shadows. Lexi, however, seemed to draw strength from the emergency. Her long brown hair was now completely unbound, sticking to her sweaty neck, but her eyes were sharp, constantly scanning for trip hazards or signs of pursuit.
We reached a small, rocky ridge that offered a momentary respite and a crucial vantage point. Valerie called a brief halt, ordering everyone to conserve energy and silence. As we dropped into the cover of the rocks, Lexi collapsed beside me, leaning her head against my shoulder, not out of affection, but out of pure, unadulterated exhaustion.
"We lost some packs," she whispered, her breath coming in painful gasps. "Sam's inventory will be a nightmare, but we had to ditch the weight. It was the only way." The loss of supplies was a serious setback, confirming the high cost of the escape. However, the fact that we had managed to escape and keep Zara alive was the only measure that truly mattered.
I wrapped my arm around her, the simple physical contact a lifeline for us both. The fear of being caught, of being separated, was a palpable thing in the darkness. "We made it. We're out of their immediate range," I murmured, pulling a tattered energy bar from my pocket and splitting it with her. The rough, chewy food was tasteless, but it provided a necessary spike of energy. The shared moment, quiet and desperate, was another powerful affirmation of our bond. In this continuous flight, Lexi was my absolute center, the only thing that felt completely stable in a spinning world.
As the full light of day revealed the exhausted faces of the column, Valerie gathered the remaining members for a crucial huddle. Her face was grim. "They pushed us hard. We lost valuable gear and four hours of travel time. We are now dangerously close to known hostile territory, and we must find water and shelter before pushing on. Our speed is now limited by Zara's injury and our lack of concealment." She looked directly at Jesse, who was already changing Zara's bandage. "Jesse, how is she?"
"Stable, but she needs rest and hydration, Valerie. No deep infection yet, but she can't maintain this pace. We need twelve hours of secure rest to prevent shock and fever," Jesse reported, his medical assessment overriding the group's tactical needs.
Valerie nodded, accepting the reality. She turned to me. "James, we need to find a defensible position, now. Use the comms sparingly. Lexi, work with Sam to salvage what we can and reorganize the packs." The respect was now ingrained; we were integral to the immediate survival plan. The night of the Hounds had been terrifying, but it had solidified our position and, more importantly, confirmed that the Column was a cohesive unit, capable of fighting and fleeing together. Our new mission was clear: secure a hideout, recover, and prepare for the final, dangerous push toward the Citadel.