The ravine stretched out before them, a jagged wound in the earth that seemed to go on forever. The narrow bridge Alex had mentioned was barely wide enough for a single person to cross, its rotting planks and frayed ropes a testament to years of neglect. Below, the river churned, its roar echoing through the forest like a warning.
Claire gritted her teeth, her heart pounding as she glanced over her shoulder. The shadows of Lucas’s men moved in the distance, drawing closer with every second. They were running out of time.
“Ethan, you’re up first,” Alex said, his voice low but firm. “Make sure the other side is clear.”
Ethan didn’t hesitate. He adjusted the strap of his rifle, then stepped onto the precarious bridge. The wood groaned under his weight, the ropes swaying with each step. Cla
