Chapter 35: The World Was Open Again
The wind howled through the cracked walls of the abandoned base, snow swirling in violent gusts as it cut across the base compound.
Zara’s breath misted in the cold, and her heart pounded louder than the storm around them. She and Winter were just a few steps from the edge of the compound when the figures emerged from the snow.
Greg and Nadine.
Zara’s pulse quickened. She instinctively clutched her coat tighter around her, her hand pressed to the hidden bulge beneath the fabric. There were too many guns; they were out in the open.
She couldn’t let anything happen to Leo here. But Zara could feel his small body shifting, instinctively reacting to her tension.
Winter’s hand twitched toward the gun at his side, but he didn’t draw it yet.
Greg was the first to speak, his voice a low, mocking drawl that made Zara’s skin crawl. "Well, well. What have we here?" His smile was sharp, predatory. "Thought you two could sneak away, huh?"
Nadine stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with malice. "I told you he couldn’t be trusted."
Winter’s posture stiffened beside her, his body coiling with tension. Zara glanced at him, silently pleading with him to keep calm. They couldn’t act too hastily now, but she knew he couldn’t hide the agitation in his clenched fists.
She stepped forward, her voice steady despite the fear knotting her stomach. "We don’t want trouble. Just let us go."
Greg laughed, the sound echoing ominously. "Oh, I’m afraid it’s too late for that."