Keeps people moving.
I step toward the front of the formation and scan the narrow trail ahead winding deeper through the canyon.
Dangerous terrain.
Minimal cover.
No choice.
“Stay tight,” I call quietly.
Then my eyes flick back toward Olivia one more time.
Just once.
She’s already watching me.
And somehow I know she understands exactly what I’m not saying.
I’m getting her out of these mountains alive.
No matter what it costs me.
17
Olivia
We push harder into the canyon.
No breaks.
No slowing down.
Just boots scraping rock and ragged breathing echoing between the cliffs while engines grow louder somewhere behind us.
Every step sends pain spearing through my side.
Hot.
Sharp.
I keep moving anyway.
The little girl beside me stumbles again, exhaustion making her knees buckle.
I tighten my grip on her hand immediately.
“Hey.” I crouch slightly beside her without stopping. “Stay with me a little longer, okay?”
Her frightened eyes lift to mine.
She nods instantly.
Trusting me completely.
The weight of that almost hurts worse than the injury.
Ahead, Lucas motions the group faster through another narrow bend in the rocks.
