The hidden hallway smelled faintly of damp wood and old paint. Isabella followed Alexander, her heart racing faster than usual.
"Are you sure this exit leads somewhere safe?" she whispered.
Alexander didn't answer right away. His hand held hers tightly, guiding her through the narrow passage. Every sound outside engine roars, footsteps, whispers of movement made her jump.
"It's the only way," he said finally. "We can't stay in the main house. They're professionals now."
Isabella's stomach twisted. Professionals. That meant Lara's enemies were no longer amateurs. And that made everything worse.
"Professionals?" she asked. "So… what? We just run and hide forever?"
Alexander stopped for a second and looked at her. "We run… until we can fight on our terms."
Her eyes narrowed. "And I fight too. I'm not sitting quietly this time!"
He raised an eyebrow. "You?"
"Yes, me!" she said, stamping her foot slightly. "I've had enough of hiding."
Alexander let out a small laugh, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You're fearless… and reckless."
"Better fearless than useless!" she snapped, though her cheeks warmed as he stared at her.
They reached the end of the hallway. A small, hidden door led outside to the edge of the forest. Alexander checked the area carefully before stepping out.
"Wait," Isabella said, glancing at the dark trees. "It's… really dark out there."
"That's the point," he said. "Shadows are safer than open streets."
She nodded, trying to steady her shaking hands. Alexander led her through the forest silently, moving like a shadow himself. She tried to keep up, but every crack of a branch made her jump.
"You need to calm down," he whispered. "Panic will get you hurt."
"I'm calm!" she said, though her voice wobbled.
"You're not," he said quietly.
She huffed and crossed her arms. "Fine. I'm calm."
A few minutes of silence passed. Then a faint sound like tires crunching on gravel made both of them freeze.
"Two cars," Alexander whispered. "They're close."
Isabella's stomach dropped. "Again?!"
"They never stop," Alexander said. "But we're faster."
He pulled her behind a thick tree, checking the path ahead. From her hiding spot, Isabella peeked at the two black cars slowly approaching the house's direction.
"Why do they keep following us?" she muttered.
Alexander's jaw tightened. "Because someone wants you… or me… or both."
Isabella swallowed hard. "So… it's Lara again?"
He didn't answer. He never did when it came to names like that. But she knew.
"Alexander…" she whispered.
"Shh," he said, putting a finger to his lips.
They moved quickly through the trees, each step calculated. Isabella realized she had never seen Alexander move like this before silent, fast, dangerous. And for the first time, she felt… small next to him.
"Isa," he said softly after a moment. "Stay close."
"I'm… I'm trying," she whispered, her voice catching slightly.
He glanced at her, and for a second, the danger seemed to fade from his eyes. But only for a second.
Then one of the cars stopped suddenly. A spotlight swept over the forest. Isabella yelped and ducked lower.
"Keep moving!" Alexander hissed, grabbing her hand.
They ran faster, branches whipping against their faces. Isabella's legs ached, her breath came in short gasps. But she refused to let go of Alexander's hand.
"You're… really fast," she panted.
"I have to be," he said without looking at her. "You need to survive."
Her heart skipped. She wanted to tell him… that she didn't need to just survive. She wanted to fight, to help, to stand by him not behind him. But the words got stuck in her throat.
The spotlight moved away. For a moment, they slowed down. Isabella looked at him.
"You're… amazing," she whispered.
Alexander glanced at her briefly. "You're still alive. That's amazing too."
Her cheeks warmed. "Thanks," she muttered, but a small smile appeared anyway.
Then suddenly, the sound of footsteps on dry leaves made them freeze again. From the shadows, a figure appeared a tall man, dressed completely in black.
Isabella gasped.
Alexander stepped in front of her instinctively. "Stay behind me."
The man didn't move aggressively, just watched them. But Isabella could feel the tension radiating from him.
"Who… who is that?" she whispered.
"Trouble," Alexander said simply.
The man slowly raised a hand. In it was a small device that looked like a remote. Then he pressed a button.
A loud beep echoed in the forest, and suddenly, the sound of engines roared around them. More black cars appeared, surrounding the trees.
Isabella's eyes widened. "We're trapped!"
Alexander's face was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "Not yet. We still have options. Follow me."
He grabbed her hand again, and they ran deeper into the forest. Every step brought them closer to safety or at least, that was what Alexander promised.
But Isabella knew one thing for sure tonight, the hunt had truly begun.
And somewhere in the shadows, Lara was smiling.