The morning mist lingered over the trees, wet grass beneath Jean's feet as she stepped outside the cave. Her eyes were sunken from another restless night, her limbs heavy from days of survival, but her heart… her heart was louder than ever.
That's when she heard it.
The deep, thudding rhythm of blades slicing the air.
Jean froze.
A beat later, Logan stepped out beside her, holding his breath. "That's… that's a chopper," he said, voice just above a whisper, afraid the sound might disappear if he acknowledged it too soon.
They looked at each other with eyes wide, not believing for a sec… and ran.
Branches scraped against their skin. The forest floor nearly swallowed their ankles with every clumsy step. But they didn't stop. Not this time.
They burst out onto the beach, lungs burning, hearts pounding.
The helicopter was circling above. Slower this time. Lower.
