Smoke still lingered in the trees as Ashton guided Erin through the underbrush. Her legs wobbled, but she didn't complain.
“Half a click to the extraction point," he muttered.
Erin glanced down at the chain linking their wrists. “You do realize this is slowing us down."
“It's keeping us honest."
“Or getting us killed."
He looked at her. “After what I saw in that lab, death seems like a lesser betrayal."
---
Minutes later, headlights flickered through the trees.
“Wait," Erin hissed. “Those aren't our people."
“How can you tell?"
She ducked behind a fallen trunk. “Too fast. Too clean. Institute mercenaries."
“How many?"
“Two vehicles. Likely six men. Light armor. No drone overhead, or we'd already be shot."
Ashton unholstered his sidearm. “Can you move if we break for it?"
Erin
