Mercenary Masks

The blinding glare from the helicopter spotlight bore down on them like a second sun, slicing through the trees with sharp intensity. Scarlett squinted, her heart pounding as the voice echoed once again from the megaphone above.

"This is your final warning. Surrender immediately, or lethal force will be authorized."

Nathan's fingers curled tightly around her wrist as he pulled her further into the cover of the brush. His voice was low but firm.

"Stay low. We move on my count." He said with a firm voice as he kept scanning the environment looking for possible way out.

Scarlett nodded, the tension pressing against her chest like a vice. Across the clearing, Alex and Henry had ducked behind the wreckage of an overturned patrol car, exchanging whispered words.

The helicopter hovered, the spotlight sweeping, searching.

Suddenly, Grayson's strained voice cut through the night, echoing from the far end of the clearing.