The Questioner System (Ask Me Anything)

Chapter 23: The Crossroads

The forest seemed endless as they moved further away from the ambush site. The sounds of Jared's men faded behind them, but the group's pace didn't slow. Victor led them deeper into the woods, his sharp eyes scanning for danger, while Marcus carried the bulk of their supplies on his back.

Adam lagged behind, his legs aching and his lungs burning. His grip on the hunting knife tightened as every snap of a twig made him flinch.

"Keep up, Adam," Victor called over his shoulder. "We can't afford to stop yet."

Adam gritted his teeth and quickened his pace. "How far are we going?"

Victor glanced back. "Until I'm sure we've lost them. This forest is dense enough to cover our tracks, but Jared's men aren't amateurs. They'll regroup and come after us."

After another half hour of trekking through the forest, they reached a small clearing. A shallow creek meandered through the center, its water glinting in the sunlight. Large boulders and fallen trees offered some cover, and the area felt relatively secluded.

Victor raised a hand, signaling them to stop. "We'll rest here for a bit. Marcus, keep watch. Adam, refill the water bottles from the creek."

Marcus nodded and climbed onto a large rock, his shotgun resting across his lap. Adam dropped his bag with a sigh and knelt by the creek, scooping water into their bottles.

As the cool water splashed over his hands, he allowed himself a moment to breathe. The past few hours had been a blur of tension and adrenaline, and the exhaustion was beginning to catch up with him.

"You're holding up better than I expected," Victor said, crouching beside him.

Adam glanced at him. "Barely. I'm not built for this kind of thing."

Victor smirked. "Nobody is, at first. You'll adapt. You're already thinking on your feet—that tree stunt back there was smart."

"Thanks," Adam muttered, though he wasn't sure he believed it.

Suddenly, Marcus's voice cut through the relative calm. "We've got company."

Adam's head snapped up, and his heart leaped into his throat. Marcus pointed toward the tree line, where faint movement could be seen.

Victor stood, his hand on his pistol. "How many?"

"Two, maybe three," Marcus said. "They're moving carefully, trying not to make noise."

Adam scrambled to his feet, gripping the hunting knife. His palms were slick with sweat, and his mind raced with fear and uncertainty.

Victor motioned for them to take cover. "Stay low. Let them come to us."

The group crouched behind rocks and fallen trees, their weapons at the ready. Adam's breathing was shallow as he tried to steady his nerves.

The first figure emerged from the trees—a tall man in tactical gear, his rifle held at the ready. He scanned the clearing cautiously, his eyes sharp and focused.

Victor fired first, a single shot that struck the man in the chest. He crumpled to the ground, his rifle slipping from his grasp.

The second figure appeared almost immediately, returning fire with a handgun. The shots went wide, and Marcus took the opportunity to fire his shotgun. The blast caught the second man in the shoulder, sending him spinning to the ground.

A third figure darted back into the trees, disappearing before Victor or Marcus could get a clear shot.

"Damn it," Victor muttered. "He's going to alert the others."

Marcus cursed under his breath. "We can't stay here. They'll be on us in no time."

The group quickly gathered their supplies and prepared to move again. Adam's hands trembled as he stuffed the water bottles back into his bag.

"We can't keep running forever," Adam said, his voice shaking.

Victor glanced at him, his expression grim. "No, we can't. But we can make it harder for them to catch us."

Marcus slung his shotgun over his shoulder. "Any brilliant ideas?"

Victor nodded. "We need to throw them off our trail. If we split up temporarily, they'll have to divide their forces to track us."

"Split up?" Adam's stomach dropped at the suggestion.

Victor placed a hand on Adam's shoulder. "You'll be with me. Marcus will take the ATV and lead them in another direction. We'll meet at the old ranger station near the east ridge in three hours."

Marcus grinned. "Sounds like a plan. I'll give 'em a run for their money."

The group quickly executed their plan. Marcus revved the ATV's engine, the noise echoing through the forest as he sped off toward the north.

Victor and Adam moved in the opposite direction, sticking to the dense underbrush. The sound of the ATV faded, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.

Victor led them at a steady pace, his movements deliberate and efficient. Adam struggled to keep up, his mind racing with a mix of fear and determination.

"Do you think Marcus will be okay?" Adam asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Victor nodded. "He can handle himself. He's been in worse situations than this."

As they continued through the forest, Victor suddenly raised a hand, signaling Adam to stop.

"What is it?" Adam asked, his voice hushed.

Victor pointed ahead, where the faint outline of a cabin could be seen through the trees. The structure was small and weathered, its wooden walls covered in moss.

"It's abandoned," Victor said. "But it might have something we can use."

They approached cautiously, Victor's pistol at the ready. Adam stayed close behind, clutching the hunting knife.

The cabin's door was slightly ajar, creaking softly in the breeze. Victor pushed it open with his foot, revealing a small, dimly lit interior.

The room was sparse, with a single cot, a rusty stove, and a table covered in dust. A broken lantern lay on the floor, and cobwebs hung in the corners.

Victor searched the room quickly, checking for supplies or hidden dangers. Adam stood by the door, his eyes darting nervously between the cabin and the forest.

"Looks clear," Victor said, lowering his weapon.

Adam stepped inside, his gaze lingering on the cot. "Do you think we can stay here?"

Victor shook his head. "Not for long. If Jared's men are tracking us, they'll search every structure in the area. But we can catch our breath and regroup."

As they settled into the cabin, Adam felt the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him. He sat on the cot, his head in his hands, as Victor stood by the window, keeping watch.

For a moment, the world seemed to slow. The adrenaline that had kept Adam going began to fade, leaving him with a deep sense of weariness.

Victor glanced at him. "Get some rest if you can. We've got a long way to go."

Adam nodded, though he doubted he'd be able to sleep. The image of Jared's men, armed and relentless, was burned into his mind.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest, Adam couldn't shake the feeling that their respite was temporary. The fight was far from over, and the next move was already looming.