Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Revealed Secrets

Dust and rubble fell as a gunshot broke the strained reunion. Isabella and Xander were rushed by their parents to the rear of their modest home. Their formerly tranquil cabin became chaotic due to the eerie shadows cast by the flickering candle light.

"Go, Isabella! No time! With a roar, her father threw open a trapdoor under an old rug, exposing a narrow, dark tunnel. Xander, who was accustomed to risk, grabbed Isabella's hand and prodded her forward.

Bella, have faith in them. We must relocate! Isabella felt frozen, her legs heavy, but his solid, soothing voice cut through her dread and confusion. She had just been with her parents again, and now she was stuck in a bad dream.

There was another gunfire, closer this time. Their guide, Abiola, was standing by the front door, looking out at the trees with his pistol pulled.

With worry in her voice, her mother murmured, "They found us." "They're going to capture us all, so we have to leave now."

Isabella paused, caught between the impulse to find out and the need to go away. Mom, Dad, what's going on? Why are they attempting to murder us?

Christine Munroe looked up into Isabella's eyes, her face a mixture of resolve and grief. Bella, we created formidable foes. But we did everything for you, I swear.

Isabella was dragged down by Xander as the trapdoor creaked. No additional explanations were needed. The front door exploded open, and Brad Munroe closed the hatch behind him. Heavy footfall and muffled cries resounded above, but as they ran, the noise was muffled by the underground tube.

As they sped into the tunnel, Xander's torch shining on the uneven walls, the air was musty and moist. Isabella had a lot of questions. How had her parents gotten into such a risky situation? Why was everything she valued in their past at risk?

The tunnel went on and on until Isabella could find no way out. At last they came out into a bush on the edge of the village. The moon was obscured by clouds, casting a shadow across the countryside.

Abiola, who had chosen a different path, motioned for stillness while looking around the forest for potential attackers. He said, "A car is waiting a couple of miles down this path." "We must act swiftly."

Isabella looked at her parents, who were both breathing heavily. Her voice was shaking with rage and dread as she asked, "Can you please explain what's going on?" "You gave me the impression that you were dead for twenty years, and now you're shooting me for something you did. I'm worthy of knowing the truth.

With a look of sadness on his face, Brad and Christine exchanged glances. "We know you're upset, Bella," he said in a raspy voice. "However, there are things we did to keep you safe that you weren't supposed to know."

"Keep me safe?" Isabella repeated, disbelieving. "I thought I was alone growing up! I believed you were dead, therefore I had to battle for everything!

Christine moved forward, her eyes sparkling with tears. Bella, we were hunted. via those who would have turned you against us. For your sake, we had to vanish.

Their comments made Isabella's heart hurt, yet treachery still hurt. "Who are these individuals? Why now? After all these years, why are they still pursuing us?

"It's due to what we discovered," Brad said somberly. "A plot by large corporations to take advantage of Africa's resources." Those who stand in their way are either killed or worse. We made an effort to stop them, but they came after us when they saw we were about to expose them.

Christine gave a nod. "To keep you safe, we had to pretend to be dead. However, they just found out we're still alive. and they won't give up until they complete the task at hand.

Isabella's thoughts were spinning as they walked into the woodland. The odd reports she had come across throughout her studies, the clues of wrongdoing that led nowhere, all made sense. At the heart of it all had been her parents' efforts to reveal the wrongdoing. Their adversaries, however, were resolved to eradicate them now that they had reappeared.

Xander strolled next to her, lost in contemplation. Although he was always aware of the dangers of greed and power, he had not expected to face such vicious opponents. In a wordless promise to keep Isabella safe at all costs, his fingers closed tighter around hers.

At last, they came upon a tarp-covered, dilapidated old SUV. After leading them inside, Abiola turned on the engine and drove quickly through the forest on a dirt road.

Isabella reclined, fatigue threatening to overwhelm her. She muttered, "Where are we going now?"

Abiola said, "To a safe house." It's far from the people who are hunting you, deep in the bush. Your folks have been hiding there.

Isabella's heart was heavy with conflicting feelings as she gazed at her parents. They were together for the time being, but so much was still unknown. That was plenty to sustain her.

The moonlight was obscured by the thick canopy as they drove farther into the bush, leaving them in complete darkness. The only noises were the distant cries of animals and the hum of the motor. Nevertheless, Isabella experienced an odd feeling of hope despite the stress. She was not alone for the first time in years.

Abiola's eyes narrowed as he abruptly slowed the car. "There's a problem," he whispered. "This is where the guards were supposed to meet us."

Reaching for the revolver concealed beneath his jacket, Xander stiffened. "Remain vigilant," he said. "There may be a trap here."

But before they could respond, the area was inundated with dazzling spotlights. They were surrounded by cars, making it impossible for them to flee. With their rifles aimed on the SUV, men in black tactical gear rushed out.

Through a megaphone, a voice said, "Get out with your hands up!" "You're surrounded by us."

Isabella's pulse raced as she saw her parents' terrified expressions. This was the point at which everything would either come together or fall apart. She had to decide whether to fight, run, or give up.

With his eyes burning with resolve, Xander said, "We're not going down without a fight."

However, as Isabella's thoughts raced, she suddenly recalled what her father had spoken to her during their desperate flight. The safe home had a hidden passageway that led to an ancient system of tunnels beneath the ground, as well as a secret room. They could have a chance to get away if they could make it there.

"Follow my lead," she urged Xander in a whisper. "I've got a plan."

Isabella's eyes glowed with renewed determination as the armed men drew closer. She was prepared to do whatever it needed to regain her life, and the battle was far from done.

Xander stiffened and grabbed Isabella's hand.