Isabella's POV
The further we trekked into the forest, the more the world seemed to close in on itself. The trees loomed taller, their tangled branches clawing at the faint moonlight, and the air grew colder, biting through my thin jacket. Every step was a battle against exhaustion, and yet, the thought of Alex kept me moving.
Derek led the way, his steps purposeful and his gun always at the ready. He was silent, his focus unyielding, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that his mind was as burdened as mine.
Finally, I broke the silence. “How much further?”
“Another eight miles,” Derek replied without looking back. “We’ll make better time if we keep the pace.”
I bit back a groan, my legs screaming in protest. “And what happens when we get there? What’s the plan?”
Derek glanced at me ove
