Page 99 of Saved By Two

As we delve deeper into the forest, the silence becomes suffocating. The rustling of leaves beneath our feet amplifies the tension that hangs in the air. Every shadow seems to hold secrets, every crack of a twig a potential threat. The sun is now long gone. We've been moving deeper into the woodland. It's almost twenty-five minutes since we split up. We switch on our torches, and my grip on mine tightens, the beam of light trembling slightly as I sweep it across the path ahead.

And then there's the unmistakable sound of a gun firing in quick succession.

"What the fuck," I hiss as we come to a stop until the echoes of the gunshots disappear.

Jax's voice speaks clearly into my earpiece, and River and Thomas quickly respond, confirming everyone is okay. I let out a strangled breath. The thought of Jessica and Caleb being anywhere near those shots is like someone stepping over my grave.

"We're close to where the shots were fired. Be on alert," Jax says before going silent.

I can't think past the fear that threatens to consume me, and I stagger, falling to my knees. River is there, a hand firm on my shoulder, giving me the few seconds I need as his eyes scan our location.

Taking a few deep breaths, I straighten, and he drops his hand as I push back to my feet. "Fuck, sorry."

"It's fine. You good?"

I nod even though I am anything but—knowing there's a possibility those gunshots could have been for Jessica, though something in my gut tells me it wasn't her and that she's okay.

"We've found a body. Male, execution style. It's Curtis. Area clear."

I let out a staggered breath… wait if he's dead, where the fuck is Jessica?

"Keep looking," I say to River.

I force myself to focus solely on the task, shutting out the doubts and what-ifs that threaten to consume me.

Suddenly, a distant sound reaches my ears, a faint cry carried on the wind. And I know it's Jessica.

Hope surges through me, overpowering the fear and doubt. Without hesitation, we quicken our pace, pushing deeper into the depths of the forest.

The undergrowth becomes thicker, and the trees crowd in all around us as if trying to block our path. Branches reach out like skeletal fingers, grasping at our clothes, clawing at our skin. We press on, battling against nature's obstacles, refusing to be deterred.

Finally, we reach a small clearing, bathed in the light from the moon. And there, in the centre, is a figure limping haphazardly.

River aims the torch's light towards the figure who tries to run, but it's more of a hobble.

"Jessica!" I lurch forward and start running. "Jessica!" I repeat. Closing in on her, I grab her around the waist and pull her against me. She thrashes out, arms flailing.

"Fuck." I spin her in my arms. Her eyes are wild, unfocused, River holding light upon us like a halo.

Tears streak down her face. "It's me, Noah." Voices sound in my ear, but I don't have time to acknowledge them as I try in vain to calm Jessica down enough to notice it's me.

I don't think she can hear me past her fear, so I grab her hands and bring them to my face, hoping my touch will calm her down enough to bring her back to the moment.

"Jessica," I repeat her name. "I've got you."

And then her arms are around my neck as she plasters herself to my body. I stagger but hold her just as fiercely as she sobs into my chest.

"You're safe, sweet girl. I've got you."

River comes up beside me. "The area is clear, but we need to head back to the other guys. It's been called in," he says, relaying some of what I missed.

Jessica is full-on shaking now, and I step back, pushing her away from my body as she whimpers.

"I just want to help warm you up," I say as I shrug out of my hoodie and pull it on over her head and pull her arms through carefully. I don't know if she's hurt, but we need to move right now.

I bend my knees and cup her behind her thighs and lower back, lifting her into my arms.

"Do you want me to carry her?" River asks.

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