"Clear!" Henry called, checking the fallen men.
Walker moved to the doorway, scanning the area outside for additional threats. "I count three. All down. Keep alert—there might be more."
The cabin interior was hazy with dissipating smoke. Walker moved swiftly to check each intruder, confirming they were no longer threats. They were professionals—tactical gear, military-grade weapons, no identification.
"Sabrina," he called. "It's clear. You can come out now."
She emerged from the bathroom, her face pale but composed. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the aftermath with a steadiness that impressed Walker.
"Are they...?" she asked.
"Two dead, one alive but unconscious," Walker confirmed. He moved to her side, his hands running down her arms in a quick check for injuries. "You okay?"
She nodded, leaning into his touch. "I'm fine."
Henry was already checking the unconscious man, zip-tying his wrists and ankles. "We need to move. Now. They'll have backup."
Walker nodded. "Pack what we need. We leave in three minutes."
They moved quickly, gathering the laptop, critical files, and weapons. Walker retrieved the intruders' comms, hoping they might provide intelligence later.
"Their vehicle will be close," Henry said. "We can use it rather than risk ours being tracked."
Walker nodded. "I'll find it. Stay with Sabrina."
"No," Sabrina said firmly. "We stay together. You just told me yourself—no splitting up."
Walker wanted to argue, but she was right. "Fine. Stay between us. Move fast, stay low."
They slipped out the back of the cabin, Walker leading, Henry covering their rear.
The forest was dark, the moon hidden behind clouds, which worked in their favor. Walker navigated by instinct and training, moving silently through the trees.
After five minutes of careful progress, they found what they were looking for—a black SUV parked on a service road about a quarter mile from the cabin.
"Check for trackers," Walker instructed Henry as they approached the vehicle.
Henry did a quick sweep while Walker kept watch.
Sabrina stayed close to Walker's side, her hand occasionally brushing his arm as if needing the connection to ground herself.
"Clear," Henry confirmed. "Keys must be on one of them."
Walker grimaced. "We don't have time to go back. I'll hot-wire it."
He worked quickly, years of SEAL training making the task straightforward. The engine came to life with a quiet purr.
"Get in," he told Sabrina, helping her into the back seat while Henry took the passenger side.
As Walker slid behind the wheel, his phone buzzed.
Reed.
"Yeah," he answered, putting the vehicle in drive and moving down the dark road.
"We have a situation," Reed's voice was tight with urgency. "Kraslov's men are making moves. They've hit three of our safe houses in the last hour."
"We just had a visit from them," Walker confirmed grimly. "How did they find us?"
