“You,” she says.
I almost smile.
“Yeah,” I reply. “That seems to be mutual.”
It’s not.
Not even close.
And we both know it.
7
Jase
Location: Forest Ridge — Moving Out
Time: Night
We don’t get long.
We never do.
The break was necessary.
It was also temporary.
I’m on my feet first, scanning the tree line, listening past the wind. Nothing obvious—but that doesn’t mean anything. These guys are disciplined.
Quiet.
Patient.
Dangerous.
“We move,” I say.
Mila nods, already pushing up beside me.
Stronger now.
Steadier.
Good.
We head northeast—deeper into the forest, away from the ridge, away from where they expect us to go.
Or at least—
Where theythinkwe’ll go.
“Stay close,” I murmur.
“I’m not wandering off,” she replies.
“Good.”
A beat.
