Blood and Desperation

The low hum of the drone was a haunting echo in the night, its red light cutting through the dense darkness. Scarlett's breath caught in her throat as she crouched low in the brush, her fingers gripping the damp soil for balance.

"Everyone, stay down," Henry whispered harshly, his eyes darting toward the hovering machine.

Ellen clutched Scarlett's arm tightly, her whispered words trembling. "We can't let them see us."

Nathan gestured for them to crawl; his voice low but urgent. "Head toward the tree line. Move slow. Stay together."

They crawled forward in the bush, the cool leaves brushing against their skin, the sound of the drone ever-present above them. Scarlett's heart raced with every cautious step, her body tense with the fear of being spotted.

Alex's voice was barely above a whisper. "It's circling back." He said with his shaky voice.

Scarlett turned her head slightly, catching the faint sound of the drone as it shifted.