Chapter 87: The Hunt Begins Lucas POV

"Lucas," she said in a strained whisper. "I don't think I can continue in this manner."

In the moonlight, I could just make out her pale face as I turned to face her. Her breath came in short gasps, and her forehead was beaded with sweat.

I stepped closer and said firmly, "You have to. We have no other option. If we pause right now."

The night was chilled between us by a howl that rang out in the distance. When Anna's eyes grew wide, I took hold of her hand and drew her closer.

"They're near," I whispered.

We continued, making our way into the thick woodland. Although the tall trees provided some cover, it was insufficient. Not from the trackers of Oliver.

Anna almost fell as she tripped over a root. Just in time, I grabbed her and held her against me.

“Lucas, I—”

“Save it,” I muttered, more forcefully than I intended. Her eyes flashed with hurt, but she nodded, biting her lip.

I softened my tone. “We’ll rest when we’re safe. Right now, we have to keep moving.”

She nodded again, her hand grasping mine tightly.

The jungle looked infinite, each shadow a possible peril. I kept my senses acute, listening for any sign of pursuit. The faint sound of voices wafted on the wind, and my heart plummeted.

“They’re tracking us,” I whispered under my breath.

Anna gazed at me, terror engraved across her features. "How far?"

"Not far enough."

The underbrush scratched at our legs as we accelerated. The weight of our predicament was bearing down on us with each stride.

I froze at the sound of a twig snapping. I signaled to Anna to stop by raising a hand.

Whispering, "What is it?"

My eyes narrowed as I looked around the shadows. Through the trees came the dim gleam of a torch. My blood froze.

I whispered, my voice hardly audible, "They're here."

Anna tightened her hold on my arm. "What are we going to do?"

My thoughts were racing as I looked about. To our right, the ground sloped down to a brook. Although it wasn't perfect, it was our best attempt.

I drew her toward the slope and said, "This way."

The loose ground gave way underfoot as we tumbled down the slope. We quickly arrived at the stream's brink as the sound of the running water became more audible.

I told her to "stay low" while hiding behind a fallen log. Anna did the same, breathing laboredly.

The sound of boots crunching on the forest floor complemented the increasing volume of the voices.

"Spread out!" A deep voice gave the order. "They couldn't have traveled very far."

With my heart racing, I looked over the log and saw three individuals going through the trees, their torches creating unsettling shadows.

Anna's shaking fingers found their way to mine. Even though I wasn't sure we'd survive this, I tried to soothe her by giving her a gentle squeeze.

A figure stopped and sniffed the air. I felt sick to my stomach.

The man snarled, "They're close."

Every muscle in my body strained as I clamped my jaw. There was no way we could repel them if they discovered us. Not right now, not here.

With his torchlight spreading over the water, the man approached. In order to make us undetectable, I held my breath.

A far-off howl reverberated through the trees when the light finally made it to where we were hiding. The man snapped his head toward the direction of the sound and straightened.

“Over there!” cried a second voice.

The group changed course, diverting their focus from us. I felt a wave of relief, but I remained vigilant.

I said to Anna, "We have to move."

Her eyes were wide with terror, but she was determined, and she nodded.

We stayed low, creeping along the stream's bank. Behind us, the trackers' sound diminished, but I knew it wouldn't be long until they resumed their pursuit.

We arrived in a tiny clearing after what seemed like hours. With my senses keenly tuned in, I looked around.

I gestured for Anna to take a seat and remarked, "This will do for now."

Her shoulders slumped as she fell to the ground. With her words hardly audible above a whisper, she confessed, "I thought they had us."

"So did I," I remarked as I sat next to her. "But we're still in danger."

Her eyes were filled with both appreciation and dread as she gazed at me. "I'm grateful, Lucas, for continuing to believe in me."

My chest constricted as I looked into her eyes. "Anna, I told you before. I will always keep you safe."

Unspoken words hung between us throughout that moment.

We both jumped as we heard a sudden rustling in the bushes. In an instant, I was standing, putting myself between Anna and the noise.

"Who is there?" My voice was low and menacing as I called.

There was silence for a minute as the rustling ceased. A tiny rabbit then scurried out of the undergrowth and vanished into the darkness.

The tension briefly subsided when Anna gave a weak laugh.

I mumbled, "Not funny," yet a tiny smile pulled at my lips.

She stood up and dismissed herself, saying, "We should keep moving."

Knowing she was correct, I nodded. Too much time spent in one spot was a death sentence.

The burden of our predicament weighed heavily on me as we proceeded through the woodland. Oliver was determined to find us. And I was aware that our chances of leaving unharmed were getting smaller with each step.

I wouldn't allow him to win, though.

Not while I was still able to breathe.