She couldn't move, couldn't speak. She

head, a dull ache in her body. She tried to move, but a wave

presence beside her. Ryan. She could s

pered, her voice

Ryan's voice, low and roug

tried to. She wasn't sure if

is grip warm and reassuring. "We

, and she saw Ryan's face above h

, surrounded by dense woods. And outside, Emma could see the faint glow of headlights, getting closer and closer.R

ning. She struggled to sit up, but a wave of dizzin

rms, pulling her up. "Come on, E

aking beneath her. Ryan's arm wrapped

s pulling up outside. The headlights she had seen earlier were

stumbled out into the night air. The wood

s," Ryan said, his voice low

em whole.They ran through the woods, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and snapping of twig

her through the darkness. She could feel his warmth, h

the branches tangling together above their heads. Emm

ng around her waist. "Wait," he whispered

hest. She listened, but all she could h

e underbrush. They were being followed.Ryan's eyes locked onto hers, his expr

s he moved stealthily through the woods, trying to put as mu

tell that their pursuers were gaining on them. She pum

clearing. "In here," he whispered, pushing her towar

chest. Ryan followed close behind, his eyes scanning t

urgent. They were searching for them, and they wouldn't give up until they found them.Ryan's eyes locked onto hers,

e held her breath, listening as the pursuers move

t to each other, their words indistinguishable. B

warm and reassuring. He pulled her deeper

y by the sound of their own breathing. Emma's eyes stra

Their pursuers had found them.Ryan's grip on her hand tightened as the footsteps

the cave, and Emma held her breath

res indistinguishable in the darkness. Emma's heart skipped a be

r back into the shadows. Emma's eyes were fixed

red, the figure vanished. The footsteps re

zed she was holding. Ryan's grip on he

Emma whispered, her

whispered back. "But I think we just got a warning.Ryan's words sent a

again, this time lighter and more cautious. The figure reappeared

er. Instead, it dropped something

ression unreadable. Emma followed his gaze

rkness, Ryan released Emma's wrist an

yes scanning the words quickly. Emma saw h

spered, her heart poun

rom someone who claims to be on our side.Ryan's words sent a surge of hope throu

mma asked, her voice

again. "It says... 'Meet me at the old wareh

as this mysterious person? An

ous. "We have to be careful," he said. "We don't

excitement. "But what if it's our only ch

s they made their way back through the woods, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that they were be

t a reassuring hand on her arm. "We're almo

small cabin in the distance. Smoke was drifting lazily f

g the surrounding area. Emma could sense his ten

oor and gestured for Emma to enter. She stepped i

in the hearth. Emma felt a sense of relief wash over her

of concern etched on his face. "What's wro

t what's going on, and what we're going to do next.Emma nodded, her mind racing with qu

at's going on, Ryan? Who are th

m as if searching for the right words. "It's compl

not just a pilot. I'm...I was...part of a special orga

acing with possibilities. "What

d," he said. "I was involved in something big, Emma. Something th