The Trigger
340 Words
📘 Chapter 9: The Trigger
Jay lunged toward Lena, yanking her down just as a silencer-whispered shot buried itself into the bark above her head.
The sound was soft — too soft — but deadly. No warning. No mercy.
“Run!” he hissed, dragging her by the arm.
They bolted through the trees, branches clawing at their jackets, roots snagging their boots. Lena’s breath came ragged and loud in her ears. Her lungs burned. Another shot cracked behind them — this one closer — whistling past her cheek.
Then came a sharp grunt. Jay staggered mid-run, clutching his shoulder.
“Jay—”
“Keep going!”
His grip tightened around her hand, blood already warm and sticky between their fingers. But he didn’t stop. He didn’t falter. The darkness swallowed them as they dipped deeper into the forest, chasing shadows.
Behind them, boots thudded against soil — fast, trained. Not just men. Hunters.
They reached a ravine just before the edge gave way.
Jay spotted a shallow drop and didn’t hesitate — he shoved her down into the ditch, then jumped in after her, groaning as his back hit the slope. He rolled, one arm bent protectively around her as dirt showered over them.
“We hold them here,” he panted. “No more running.”
He pulled a small pistol from his belt, jaw clenched against the pain.
Lena’s hands shook as he passed it to her. Her first time holding one. But it's not her first time feeling like she might have to kill.
The silence above broke — a figure stepped into view.
Jay fired. Twice. Fast and clean.
The man dropped, faceless in the dark.
Then nothing.
Were there more?
Jay peered upward, listening. “They're backing off.”
“Why?” Lena whispered.
Jay’s voice was cold. “Because they weren’t here to kill you. Not yet. They wanted to scare you. Test how far you’d go.”
She looked down at the gun in her hands.
Now she had an answer.
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