Cane's POV
The boat moved fast across the water, cutting it open like a knife. White spray flew behind it, loud and wild, like the sea itself was angry. I stood knee-deep in the water, waving my arms, shouting until my chest hurt and my throat felt raw.
"STEPHANIE, RUN!"
She didn't move right away. She just looked at me, confused, like she thought I was joking or losing my mind.
Then a gunshot rang out. The sound was sharp and ugly. Sand burst near her feet. That was when she understood.
Her face changed in one second. It was fear at first then it went to focus. We took to our heel immediately, heading straight Straight into the trees.
The forest swallowed us fast. Thick leaves. Hanging vines. Sharp branches. Roots twisted across the ground like traps. A branch hit my face, but I didn't slow down. My lungs burned. My legs screamed. I didn't care.
Behind us, boots pounded the sand. More gunshots followed. Bullets hit trees. Bark flew. Leaves fell like rain.
