Chapter 4 - Hunted by the Grey Shadows
Before they could plan their return, the wooden door of the cabin was smashed off its hinges with a deafening blast.
Smoke filled the small cabin as three tactical operatives wearing night-vision goggles and armed with silenced submachine guns burst inside.
“Target located! Kill the girl, take the boy!” a mercenary barked into his shoulder comms.
Maya didn’t pause for a heartbeat. She grabbed a heavy iron skillet from the hearth and hurled a shower of burning red coals directly into the face of the lead operative. The man screamed in agony, blinded by the heat.
“Leo, move!” she yelled, kicking the second operative in the knee with all her strength.
Leo fell off the cot, but instead of lying there helpless, he used his arms to drag himself toward the shotgun hanging on the wall behind the fireplace. His legs dragged, but the sensation was coming back—he could feel the cold dirt, the rough wood.
The third operative raised his weapon at Maya, pointing it directly at her forehead. “Goodbye, rat.”
BANG!
The room shook. The operative collapsed to the ground as smoke poured from the ancient double-barreled shotgun in Leo’s hands. Leo was trembling, the recoil having bruised his shoulder, but his eyes were wide and resolute. He had saved her.
“Nice shot, rich boy,” Maya wheezed, grabbing the key from the table and pulling Leo to his feet.
May you like
This time, Leo didn’t let her carry him. Supported by her shoulder, he forced his left leg forward. Then his right. It was awkward, heavy, and excruciating, but he was walking.
They plunged into the dark forest once more, but they both knew time was running out. Arthur wouldn’t stop sending mercs until they were six feet under.
