Page 33 of The One that Got Away

Gritting his teeth, Oliver pushed the pedal further, coaxing every ounce of power from their weary vehicle. It lurched forward, straining against the limit of its capabilities. In the passenger seat, Lisa's gaze flitted between the chasing vehicle and the path ahead, her body tensed for action.

"Left, up here, there's an old logging trail," Oliver said, pointing to a barely visible break in the dense foliage.

Without hesitation, he swung the car onto the narrow path, branches scraping against metal like fingernails on a chalkboard. The pursuers, unprepared for the sudden detour, lagged behind, their headlights faltering amidst the thick underbrush.

"Good call," Lisa praised quietly, her breaths measured and controlled despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Oliver merely nodded, his eyes scanning the rearview mirror for any sign of the encroaching threat.

The car bounced over roots and rocks, a testament to Oliver's intimate knowledge of this hidden artery through the wild heart of Alaska. He was one with the landscape, attuned to its secrets and safe havens.

A sharp turn loomed ahead, and he navigated it with precision, the barest slip of the tires on the dirt track betraying the haste of their flight. The children let out a collective gasp, a mix of excitement and anxiety, as they clung to each other, their world reduced to the confines of the car and the sound of their mother's steady heartbeat.

"Almost there, just a bit more," Lisa whispered, though whether it was a promise or a prayer, she couldn't tell. Oliver reached across to squeeze her hand, a fleeting connection charged with unspoken emotions.

“Almost there.”

The engine roared as Oliver pushed the pedal, urging every ounce of power from their weary vehicle. Lisa glanced in the rearview mirror, her breath catching as headlights pierced the twilight behind them. They had been so close, the silence almost convincing her they were alone, but now the threat loomed again, a monstrous shadow creeping ever closer.

"Oliver," she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper, "they're back."

He swiveled in his seat, his eyes scanning the encroaching darkness. "Damn it," he muttered, the lines on his forehead deepening. "We can't let them catch us."

The children's murmurs of fear bled into the tense air, but Oliver’s resolve hardened like ice. His fingers gripped the wheel until his knuckles whitened again.

"Oliver, look out!" Lisa's shout snapped him back into focus as the enemy car surged forward.

Without a second thought, he wrenched the wheel to the right, veering off the road. The world outside became a blur as the car plunged into the dense embrace of the forest. Branches clawed at the windows, leaves fluttered in violent waves, and the earth beneath them turned treacherous with undergrowth.

"Keep your heads down!" Lisa commanded, her protective instincts in full throttle as Oliver navigated around ancient trunks and over uneven terrain.

The vehicle jolted and skidded, a wild dance between control and chaos. Lisa's hands hovered over the dashboard, ready to brace for impact, yet she never uttered a word of doubt. Her silent trust in Oliver was palpable.

"Are we going to be okay, Mom?" a small voice piped up from the back, quivering with the weight of the unknown.

"Yes," Lisa replied, her fear smothered by the fierce determination that resonated with her words. "I promise you."

The pursuing lights faltered, confused by the thicket that now shielded them from sight. Oliver maneuvered the car behind a cluster of dense foliage, cutting the engine and plunging them into an eerie stillness. Each breath seemed too loud, each heartbeat a drumroll to an uncertain finale.

"Stay quiet," Oliver whispered as they waited, the suspense wrapping around them like a thick fog. The only sound was the distant thrum of the other vehicle, its driver searching for a trail that had vanished like smoke.

Together, they sat in the hushed sanctuary of the forest, their bodies pressed close, a single unit woven with threads of hope and unyielding love. In the pitch-black woods, hidden from the hunters, Lisa held onto the warmth of Oliver's hand, their entwined fingers a testament to a bond that no chase could unravel. And soon, the pursuing car gave up, then took off, disappearing into the darkness. Lisa breathed in relief. Oliver twisted the key in the ignition, then let out a breath that sounded like a gasp.

“What’s going on?” Lisa asked.

“The truck won’t start.” Oliver turned the key, and it clicked eerily but didn’t turn on. Seeing this, Lisa felt panic welling up in her chest. “Well, what do we do?”

“My grandfather’s cabin isn’t far from here,” he said. “We can walk.”

Lisa's breaths came in sharp gasps, the cold air biting at her lungs as she led the way through the underbrush. Each step was careful and calculated to avoid snapping twigs or rustling leaves too loudly. Oliver was right behind her, carrying Daniel on his back, his strides silent despite the child’s weight. Ava clutched the hands of Lisa’s children, her knuckles white with the effort to keep them close and quiet. Luckily, Julia was sound asleep in the carrier strapped onto Lisa’s chest.

The forest seemed to close in around them, the darkness engulfing them. Lisa's hair was plastered to her forehead, and her eyes were scanning for signs of movement or the glint of headlights. She could feel Oliver's presence like a steady light, his unwavering determination a comfort amidst the chaos.

"Daddy, where are we going?" The whisper from Daniel was barely audible, but to Lisa, it rang out like a siren call.

"Shh," she soothed, turning to press a finger against her lips. "We're playing a game, remember? We need to be as quiet as mice."

A nod, big eyes wide with fear and trust, and they continued onward.

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