Chapter 9 - The Forest Retreat
They emerged from the ventilation shaft half a mile away, deep in the dense, wooded area behind the industrial park. The night air was freezing, and a light rain had begun to fall.
Elise collapsed against a tree trunk, gasping for air, clutching her stomach. "Julian... it hurts."
Julian dropped to his knees, panic gripping his throat. "Elise, look at me. Is it the baby? Are you having contractions?"
"I don't know," she cried, tears streaming down her dirty face. "It's just a sharp pain. I'm so scared."
Julian took off his heavy jacket and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders. "It's Braxton Hicks. It's the stress. You have to breathe, Elise. We have to keep moving before they find the tunnel."
"Marcus betrayed us," Elise sobbed, struggling to comprehend the betrayal. "Why? Why would he help Victoria?"
"Because Victoria’s father promised him a partnership at the firm," Julian realized, the pieces finally clicking together. "Marcus has been feeding her information for months. He's the one who planted the acid box. He's the one who set us up."
Julian pulled out his phone. No signal. They were completely cut off.
Suddenly, the snap of a twig echoed through the dark woods. Julian instantly drew his weapon, pushing Elise behind the broad trunk of an oak tree. He leveled the gun at the shadows, his finger hovering over the trigger.
May you like
A figure emerged from the brush. It was a man, clutching his bleeding side, limping heavily.
It was the stranger from the porch.
