Chapter 99

Amanda’s eyes were locked on Carter, her finger still hovering near the trigger. There was something about him that set her instincts on edge, but his calm demeanor and the weight of his words made it impossible to dismiss him outright.

Ron stayed in his crouched position, his weapon steady but his posture easing slightly. Nathan was barely conscious in the corner, his shallow breaths a constant reminder that time was slipping away. They couldn’t afford to waste it, but they also couldn’t ignore the possibility that Carter held the answers they needed.

“You’ve got two minutes,” Ron said, his voice low but commanding. “Start talking.”

Carter nodded, taking a step closer before pausing, gauging the tension in the room. “Nathan isn’t just some unlucky guy caught in the middle of a bad deal. He’s carrying something—something that a lot of powerful people want. And they’ll stop at nothing to get it.”

Amanda felt a knot tighten in her chest. “What is he carrying?”

Carter exhaled slowly. “He’s got information—about a covert operation. Top-level stuff, black ops, the kind of intel that could bring down entire organizations. It’s not just the government that wants it, either. Mercenaries, corporate players, foreign agents—they’re all in the mix.”

Ron glanced at Amanda, a grim understanding passing between them. “That explains the hit squads,” Ron muttered. “But why hasn’t he told us any of this?”

Carter shrugged, his expression grim. “Because knowing puts a target on your back just as big as his. The fewer people who know, the better. But right now, you’re already in the crosshairs.”

Amanda’s frustration boiled over. “So what now? We’re stuck in the middle of a forest with a half-dead man and no way out. How are we supposed to survive this?”

Carter’s eyes darkened. “There’s a group—a rogue faction within the same agency that sent those men after you. They want to use the intel Nathan has to leverage power. But I know people on the outside, people who can help if we can reach them. That ranger station you’re holed up in? It’s not as dead as you think.”

Ron narrowed his eyes. “The radio’s busted. We checked.”

Carter smirked. “You’re looking at the wrong tech. This station hasn’t been used for a decade, but the emergency comms system runs on a separate circuit. It’s old-school, but it’s operational. You just need to know where to look.”

Amanda glanced at Ron, a flicker of hope igniting. “You think we can call for help?”

Carter nodded. “If we can get to it, yes. But the signal’s weak and won’t last long. It’ll be a one-shot deal.”

Ron looked skeptical. “And who’s to say your people aren’t just another group after Nathan’s head?”

Carter’s gaze hardened. “Because if I was here to kill him, you’d already be dead.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Amanda considered Carter’s words carefully. Everything about this felt like a trap, but they had no real alternatives. Without help, Nathan wouldn’t survive the night, and the attackers would eventually find them.

“We’ll take the chance,” Amanda said firmly, her decision made. “Show us the comms.”

Carter nodded and motioned for Ron to follow him. “It’s in the basement. Old wiring, hidden behind the main fuse box.”

Amanda stayed close to Nathan, her eyes never leaving Carter as he led Ron toward the back of the station. Every nerve in her body was on edge, ready for a double-cross, but Carter seemed intent on his mission. If there was a comm system down there, it could be their only lifeline.

Ron disappeared into the shadows, and for a moment, it was just Amanda, Nathan, and the quiet weight of the night pressing down on them. Nathan stirred slightly, his eyelids fluttering open.

“Amanda…” His voice was barely a whisper.

She moved closer, kneeling beside him. “I’m here, Nathan. Just stay with us a little longer.”

His eyes struggled to focus, pain etched in every feature. “I never… wanted this. Didn’t mean for… you to get involved.”

Amanda’s heart tightened, but she forced a small smile. “You’re stuck with us now. Just hang on—we’re getting you out of this.”

Nathan’s hand twitched, his fingers weakly brushing hers. “Be careful. Don’t trust… anyone.”

Before Amanda could respond, Ron’s voice called from the back room. “Amanda! We’ve got something!”

She squeezed Nathan’s hand one last time before standing and moving quickly toward the basement door. Inside, Ron and Carter stood over a small, rusted terminal covered in dust and old wiring. It looked ancient, but Ron had managed to pry open a hidden panel, revealing a blinking light and a small lever.

“Is that it?” Amanda asked, eyes widening.

Carter nodded. “Emergency transmission. Shortwave signal, encrypted. It’ll reach the right people if you send it.”

Ron pulled a wire free and twisted it into place. “This is our only shot.”

Carter stepped back, giving Amanda a meaningful look. “Once you send this, they’ll know where you are. Both sides. It’ll be a race to see who gets here first.”

Amanda swallowed, her hand hovering over the lever. She glanced at Ron, who gave her a subtle nod. They were out of options.

She pulled the lever.

A sharp, mechanical hum filled the small room as the transmission went live. Carter watched the lights flicker, his expression unreadable. “Now we wait.”

The minutes that followed were agonizing, every second stretching into eternity. Amanda kept glancing at the door, expecting the attackers to burst in at any moment. Her nerves were frayed, but her resolve was solid.

Suddenly, a static-laced voice crackled through the terminal.

“Emergency signal received. ETA to your location: ten minutes.”

Ron locked eyes with Amanda, his face a mix of relief and determination. “Help is on the way.”

But Carter’s face remained tense. “We need to hold them off until then. Ten minutes is an eternity out here.”

Amanda’s grip tightened on her gun. They had ten minutes to survive. Ten minutes before the next wave of hell descended on them.

As they moved back toward the main room, readying themselves for the inevitable, Amanda glanced out the cracked window, the forest beyond eerily still.

The fight wasn’t over. It was only just beginning.