Story 346: Shadows of the Past

The safe house was a dilapidated cabin nestled deep in the woods, concealed by towering evergreens and layers of mist. Zara killed the engine and stepped out, her boots crunching on the gravel. Callum followed, dragging Selena Rourke, who maintained her icy composure despite the rough treatment.

Inside, the air was stale, but it was secure. Vera’s voice came through Zara’s comm. “You’ve got some breathing room, but they’ll pick up your trail soon. This location won’t hold forever.”

Zara nodded. “Understood. We just need a few hours.”

As Callum locked Rourke to a metal chair in the corner, Zara surveyed the cabin. It wasn’t much—just a single room with a battered table, a couple of cots, and a small arsenal stashed under a false floorboard. She grabbed a pistol and checked its magazine.

“Talk,” Zara ordered, turning to Rourke.

Rourke leaned back, her cuffs rattling against the chair. “You’ll need to be more specific.”