The forest felt endless, the narrow path winding through dense trees that seemed to press closer with every step. Caleb’s flashlight flickered occasionally, and he gave it a sharp tap, muttering under his breath.
“You really need better equipment,” Evelyn said, her voice low but carrying a trace of sharpness.
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t exactly planning a midnight expedition when this day started,” Caleb shot back, frustration creeping into his tone. “Some of us like a little warning before running headfirst into death cult territory.”
Evelyn didn’t respond immediately. She was scanning the trees, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her knife. Her focus was absolute, her steps deliberate. Caleb wasn’t sure if she was ignoring him or simply too focused to care about his complaints.
Finally, she said, “Keepers don’t give you warning, Caleb. You learn to adapt or…” She trailed off, her meaning clear.
“Or end up like the guy who tried to kill us five minutes ago?” Caleb said, raising an eyebrow.
Evelyn’s lips tightened, but she didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, she gestured toward a faint break in the trees ahead. “There’s a clearing up ahead. We’ll stop there for a minute.”
The clearing wasn’t much—a patch of slightly less dense forest with a large fallen log cutting through the center. The air was cooler here, a faint breeze whispering through the trees. Caleb lowered himself onto the log, letting out a quiet groan as he stretched his legs.
Evelyn stayed on her feet, her eyes scanning the surrounding shadows. She moved to the edge of the clearing, crouching slightly as she peered into the darkness.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
“You can sit, you know,” Caleb said, watching her.
“I’ll sit when we’re safe,” Evelyn replied, her tone clipped.
“Comforting,” Caleb muttered.
He leaned back slightly, rubbing at the soreness in his shoulder. His body was still running on adrenaline, but he could feel the strain of the fight creeping in. He glanced at Evelyn again, noticing the way her hand lingered near her side, just above her ribs.
“You’re hurt,” Caleb said, his voice softer this time.
“I said I’m fine,” Evelyn replied, not looking at him.
Caleb frowned. “You keep saying that, but you’re bleeding, and we’re miles from any kind of help.”
Evelyn finally turned to face him. The cut on her forehead was still bleeding slightly, a thin trail of blood tracing down her temple. Her green eyes were sharp, but there was a flicker of exhaustion behind them.
“Do you always talk this much?” she asked, her tone dry.
“Only when I’m trying not to die,” Caleb replied.
Evelyn let out a faint huff—something that might have been the ghost of a laugh—and sat down on the log across from him. She reached into her pack, pulling out a small first aid kit.
“You’re stubborn,” Caleb said, watching her.
“Thanks for noticing,” Evelyn replied without looking up.
The silence stretched between them as Evelyn cleaned the cut on her forehead, her movements precise and practiced. Caleb leaned back slightly, his gaze drifting to the trees.
“You ever get tired of this?” Caleb asked suddenly.
Evelyn glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “Of what?”
“Running. Fighting. Looking over your shoulder all the time,” Caleb said.
Evelyn didn’t answer immediately. She set the first aid kit aside, her gaze fixed on the trees. “You don’t get tired,” she said finally. “You don’t have the luxury.”
Caleb frowned, his chest tightening slightly at the weight of her words. He didn’t press her, though. He’d learned by now that Evelyn only opened up when she wanted to—and even then, it was in pieces.
After a while, Evelyn stood, adjusting the strap of her pack. “We need to keep moving,” she said.
Caleb sighed, pushing himself to his feet. “You really don’t believe in breaks, do you?”
Evelyn didn’t respond. She started walking, her flashlight cutting a narrow path through the darkness. Caleb followed, his grip tightening on his gun as they disappeared back into the forest.