The tension in the room was thick, the air heavy with unspoken truths. Caleb sat back against the wall, his mind racing. He didn’t trust Carter, but something about his story rang true—just enough to make Caleb question everything Evelyn had told him.


    “You ever think this thing isn’t worth it?” Caleb asked suddenly, his voice breaking the silence.


    Evelyn glanced at him, her expression hard to read. “What do you mean?”


    “I mean the Vault,” Caleb said. “The keys. All of it. You’re risking your life for something you don’t even want, and he”—he nodded toward Carter—“is risking his for something he doesn’t understand.”Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Carter smirked faintly. “Understanding isn’t necessary when the reward’s big enough.”


    “And what about you?” Evelyn asked, her gaze locking on Caleb. “Why are you still here?”


    Caleb hesitated, the weight of her question pressing down on him. “Because I don’t like loose ends,” he said finally.


    Evelyn didn’t respond, but something in her expression softened—just for a moment.


    Before anyone could speak again, a faint sound echoed from outside—the deliberate crunch of footsteps on dirt. Caleb’s pulse quickened as he grabbed his gun, his flashlight already in hand.


    “They’ve found us,” Evelyn said quietly.


    Carter stood, his smirk fading as his hand moved to his pistol. “Well, this should be fun.”