Chapter 22

As I approached the man, a tension crackled in the air, electrifying my senses. I kept my gaze steady, trying to gauge his intentions, while Kael and Caleb remained positioned behind me, their protective energy palpable.

“What’s your name?” I asked, trying to sound composed despite the unease bubbling within me.

“Call me Marcus,” he replied, the corners of his mouth curling into a confident smile. “And you must be the brave one in the group.”

“Bravery or stupidity? Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference,” I retorted, crossing my arms defensively.

He chuckled, clearly amused. “Touché. But let’s get to the point, shall we? You’re in over your heads, and I can help you. Just think of me as a guide through these murky waters.”

“Why should we trust you?” Caleb interjected, stepping forward. “You could be one of them, for all we know.”

“Ah, but that would be the easy way out, wouldn’t it?” Marcus replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I could have driven right past you, but instead, here I am, offering you a lifeline.”

“Lifeline or trap?” Kael muttered, glaring at him.

“Fair point,” Marcus admitted, raising his hands in mock surrender. “But consider this: I know things. Things that could save your lives. You’re being hunted, and I can help you disappear—at a price, of course.”

“What kind of price?” I pressed, a knot forming in my stomach.

“Information,” he replied, his voice smooth like silk. “I need to know who’s after you, and what you’ve uncovered. In return, I’ll arrange for your safe passage to a place where they won’t find you.”

Caleb exchanged a glance with Kael, his expression conflicted. “And if we refuse?”

“Then you’re left here, exposed and vulnerable,” Marcus said, his tone turning serious. “And trust me, you don’t want to find out what they’re capable of.”

I hesitated, weighing my options. Marcus had an air of confidence that was unsettling, yet the prospect of safety was enticing. We were running out of time, and the risk of staying put felt greater than the danger of striking a deal.

“Let me think,” I finally said, taking a step back. “This isn’t a decision we can make lightly.”

“Take your time,” Marcus replied, leaning against the car with a relaxed demeanor. “But I assure you, the clock is ticking. They’ll be searching for you soon.”

“We’ll need to discuss it,” I insisted, glancing back at Caleb and Kael. “Just a moment.”

We huddled together, voices low as we weighed the options. “What do you think?” I asked, my heart racing. “Is it worth the risk?”

Caleb frowned, his jaw tense. “It could be a trap, but we might not have a choice. We need to get moving.”

“I don’t like it,” Kael added, his voice low. “Something feels off about him. We have no idea what he’s really after.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of their concerns. “But if he can help us escape, it might be worth the gamble. We can’t keep hiding forever.”

“Let’s at least ask him for more details,” Caleb suggested. “If we’re going to consider this, we need to know what we’re getting into.”

After a moment of silence, we turned back to Marcus, who was still leaning casually against the car, his expression unreadable.

“We’re considering your offer,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “But we need more information. What do you know about who’s after us?”

“Ah, that’s the million-dollar question,” he replied, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “But I can tell you this much: you’ve stepped into something far larger than you realize. The people pursuing you are not just interested in your lives; they want to silence you for good. You’ve stumbled onto something they don’t want anyone to know.”

My stomach twisted at his words. “What do you mean?”

“They’ll stop at nothing to protect their interests,” Marcus explained. “And you’ve become a liability. But if you tell me what you know, I can provide you with protection. There are ways to make them back off, but I need your cooperation.”

“Why should we believe you?” Kael challenged, his tone laced with skepticism.

“Because I have my own reasons for wanting to see them brought down,” Marcus replied, his voice dropping slightly. “They’ve wronged me, just as they’ve wronged you. Trust me when I say that I have no love for these people.”

I took a deep breath, trying to process his words. “If we agree, how will this work?”

“I’ll provide you with a safe location to lay low until the heat dies down,” Marcus explained. “You’ll have what you need to survive, and I’ll make sure they don’t find you.”

“And if we refuse?” Kael pressed, his gaze unwavering.

“Then you go back to hiding in the woods, waiting for them to catch up with you,” he replied nonchalantly. “I can’t promise your safety if you choose to turn me down.”

I could feel the weight of the decision bearing down on me. It was a gamble, but the stakes were high. “We need some time to think it over.”

“Take all the time you need,” Marcus said with a hint of sarcasm, glancing back at the road. “But remember, you don’t have forever. I suggest you make your decision before the clock runs out.”

As he walked back to his car, I could sense the urgency in the air. The decision loomed over us like a storm cloud, dark and foreboding. I turned to Caleb and Kael, searching their faces for answers.

“We have to decide soon,” I urged, my voice barely above a whisper. “This might be our only chance.”

“I hate it, but we might not have a choice,” Caleb said reluctantly. “We need to get out of here before it’s too late.”

Kael sighed, his expression tight with frustration. “If we’re going to do this, we need to stick together and watch each other’s backs. I won’t let him put any of us in danger.”

“We’ll be cautious,” I promised. “But if we’re going to do this, we need to present a united front. No secrets, no lies.”

Caleb nodded, determination shining in his eyes. “Agreed. We can’t afford to trust him completely, but we also can’t ignore the threat we’re facing.”

With a deep breath, I steeled myself for what lay ahead. “Let’s do this. We’ll take his offer, but we’ll be prepared for anything.”

As we approached Marcus again, my heart raced with uncertainty. I could only hope that in the midst of this chaos, we were making the right choice. The devil’s bargain was set, and all we could do was step into the unknown, ready to face whatever came next.