Chapter 41 Trust, Broken

• I moved faster, my bare feet silent on the wet grass, the cold biting through my thin socks, but adrenaline dulled the pain. Martha was a warm, heavy bundle in my arms, her soft snores the only sound I allowed myself to focus on besides the pounding of my own heart. The night air smelled of wet earth and pine, thick and raw in my lungs. Each step carried us closer to freedom—or closer to discovery.
• The tree line offered the first real cover, a dense border separating Theo’s manicured grounds from the narrow, unlit lane beyond. Shadows twisted like fingers across the grass, and every rustle of a branch made my chest tighten. I ducked behind the thickest trunk, laying Martha gently on the ground and leaning the duffel bag beside her. She stirred slightly, murmuring in her sleep, and I pressed a finger to my lips.
• I yanked the burner phone from the bag, hands trembling, and punched in Arzhel’s number. The line rang once before he picked up.