the road stretched long and pale under the new sun.
cold wind cut between the rusted guardrails — it hissed like a warning.
the SUV engines carried steady — but inside them, nobody felt steady.
they took the incline into the hills — trees thicker on both sides — shadows longer.
Kai was driving again now — his foot heavy on the accelerator — like the road was something to conquer.
Ariella sat passenger side — gaze forward — jaw set.
her hand rested near the window seam — fingers tapping without rhythm — a tell she didn't know she had.
Nox watched both of them from the back.
he noticed everything.
Jace and Arden's vehicle tailed them close — too close — which meant Arden was anxious.
Arden never tailgated unless his brain was calculating threat-timers.
---
for a few kilometres, no one spoke.
the silence wasn't awkward — it was tactical.
everyone was thinking the same unspoken thought:
the other group is ahead.
or worse — waiting.
---
Kai finally broke it.
"when you sensed them…" he said, eyes still on the road, "did it feel coordinated… or scattered?"
Ariella didn't look away from the windshield.
"coordinated."
that one word shifted the air inside the car.
Kai's jaw tightened.
Nox leaned forward between the seats.
"that means they weren't just passing through. they were surveying."
Kai muttered under his breath:
"…expecting something."
Nox nodded slowly.
"or someone."
Ariella didn't flinch outwardly — but her pulse jumped.
Kai noticed.
Kai always noticed.
---
the radio crackled — Arden's voice came through:
> "two kilometres ahead — ridge split in the road — I want Kai to make the call — left route is shorter — right route is safer."
Kai's brow furrowed — he tilted his head slightly — thinking.
Ariella spoke before he could:
"they took the left."
Kai's eyes flicked to her — surprised — but he trusted her instincts more than he trusted logic.
he turned the wheel left — sharp.
the tyres screeched slightly — gravel sprayed.
Arden's SUV followed instantly behind — not questioning.
---
Nox exhaled.
"then we're chasing ghosts."
Ariella stared ahead — voice quiet but sharp:
"no."
her fingers flexed once — static under her skin humming alive.
"we're not chasing."
she looked at Kai.
"we're catching up."
---
the sun climbed higher.
the hunt had truly begun.
and none of them said it aloud —
but all three felt it deep:
this road wasn't going to lead to a base.
this road was going to lead to a confrontation.