Against the Tide

The forest seemed to hold its breath as the helicopter's hum faded into the distance. No one dared move for a long moment, their bodies pressed low.

"Is it gone?" Scarlett whispered, barely audible above the rustling of the wind through the trees.

Henry's sharp eyes scanned the sky, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his knife. "For now," he muttered, his tone grim. "But they'll circle back. That's how they work."

Nathan rose cautiously, helping Ellen to her feet as she leaned heavily against him. "We can't keep this up," he said, his voice quiet but resolute. "Running isn't getting us anywhere. It's time we think differently."

Scarlett's gaze snapped to his, her expression a mixture of surprise and challenge. "And what does 'thinking differently' look like to you, exactly?"

Nathan took a breath, steadying himself. "It means facing this head-on. No more running, no more hiding. We take the fight to Grayson."