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Perfect for hiding, but also perfect for an ambush.
Every shadow could be a hiding place, every echoing sound a potential threat.
Finally, we reached the end of our trap-laden corridor, a secluded clearing surrounded by dense thickets and tall trees.
The area was a natural fortress, with only a few entry and exit points.
We had chosen it specifically for this purpose.
I leaned against a boulder, catching my breath.
Riley, equally winded, did the same.
For a moment, we just stood there, the world a mix of panting breaths and the distant cacophony of traps still activating.
Ahead of us, leeching out into space, was the edge of the platform.
We could leap over it and reset the round at any time.
Our final defense against Krexar.
Her hand found mine, fingers intertwining, as if to reassure herself that we were still together, still alive.
“Do you think he’s still behind us?” Riley whispered, eyes darting around the clearing.
I nodded slowly. “Krexar is relentless. But with all those traps… we might’ve bought ourselves some time.”
She took a deep breath, attempting to calm her racing heart. “Your traps were brilliant, Talan. We made it this far because of them.”
I smiled, pulling her close. “We made it this far because ofus.We’re a team, remember?”
She grinned back, leaning her head against my chest.
The sounds of the distant jungle, the sporadic activations of our traps, continued to echo.
Yet, for a moment, it felt as if time had stopped for us, allowing us a brief respite in the midst of chaos.
Drawing in a deep breath, I tilted Riley’s chin up, capturing her lips with mine.
The kiss was soft and lingering, a reminder of what we were fighting for.
As we broke apart, our attention returned to our surroundings.
Out of breath, with hearts still racing from the chase and the shared moment, we waited, ready for whatever came next.
* * *
Time seemed to stretch interminably.
The dense canopy above filtered the sunlight into a dappled pattern, with only the occasional rustling of leaves to remind us that we were not alone in this vast wilderness.
Every minute felt like an hour, and my skin itched with anxiety.
Riley and I shared hushed conversations, often about inconsequential things, in an attempt to distract ourselves.
But the weight of our situation bore heavily on us both.
We debated over our next steps. “If he’s dead, then we’d have no way of knowing unless we go back and see for ourselves,” Riley whispered.
