There is no us

Escape

Alex waited until the camp was silent.

The fires had burned down to smoldering embers, and the rebels had retreated into their tents. The night air was crisp, thick with the scent of damp earth and pine. It should’ve been perfect.

She moved carefully, weaving through the camp like a shadow, keeping to the paths she had memorized earlier. Every step sent sharp pains lancing up her side, but she gritted her teeth and pushed through it.

Just a little farther.

The trees were within reach, dark and endless, waiting for her.

Then hands grabbed her.

Alex barely had time to react before she was slammed to the ground. Pain exploded through her side, white-hot and searing, stealing the breath from her lungs. She choked on a gasp, struggling against the weight pressing her down.

“Got her,” one of the guards muttered.

“Don’t let her move,” another said.

Alex fought, twisting beneath them, but her body betrayed her. The wound on her side throbbed violently, and for the first time, she felt real fear—not because she was caught, but because she was too weak to keep fighting.

Then she heard him.

“Well, well. You really don’t give up, do you?”

Alex forced her head up, her vision swimming.

Gunnar stood a few feet away, leaning casually against a tree, arms crossed, watching her with something between amusement and exasperation.

“You know,” he said, his voice smooth, lazy, “all you have to do is ask for help, and I’ll help.”

Alex clenched her jaw, pushing down the pain, forcing her breathing to steady. “No,” she muttered, “I’m fine.”

Gunnar raised an eyebrow, gaze flicking to where the guards still had her pinned. “Yeah. Looks like it.”

Alex squeezed her eyes shut for a second, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from showing how much it hurt. She could handle this. She had handled worse.

But the guards weren’t letting up, and every second she stayed down, the pain got worse. (Alia's checkpoint)

Her pride screamed at her to keep fighting. To refuse.

But her body had other plans.

She exhaled shakily, barely above a whisper. “Fine. Help me.”

Gunnar’s smirk widened. “What was that?”

She glared at him. “I said help me, you smug ass.”

He chuckled, then nodded at the guards. “Let her go.”

The pressure vanished as the guards immediately stepped back. Alex sucked in a breath, rolling onto her side, pressing a hand against the wound. She wouldn’t let them see how much it hurt. She wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.

Gunnar crouched beside her, resting his forearms on his knees. “You done running yet?”

Alex didn’t answer.

He tilted his head. “Still not gonna tell me your name?”

She shot him a look. “Not a chance.”

His grin widened. “Didn’t think so.”

Alex ignored him, pushing herself up with shaking arms. She was too tired for this. Too sore. And she hated how he always looked like he was one step ahead of her.

Gunnar stood, offering her a hand. She ignored it, forcing herself to stand on her own.

She swayed slightly. He caught her elbow before she could stumble.

“You’re a pain in the ass, Alex.”

Alex smirked, breathless. “Takes one to know one.”

Gunnar just shook his head. “Come on. Let’s get you back before you pass out again.”

Alex didn’t argue.

But as he led her back into the camp, she realized something.

She needed a better plan.