Betrayal

Aria's heart sank as she stared at the figure waiting for them in the shadows. She couldn't believe it.

"Hawk, look out!" Nova shouted, but it was too late.

The figure stepped forward, a sly smile spreading across their face.

"Well, well, well," the figure said, their voice dripping with malice. "Look what we have here."

Aria's eyes narrowed as she took in the figure's appearance. It was a woman, tall and lean, with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair.

"Who are you?" Aria demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

The woman's smile grew wider. "My name is Ruby," she said. "And I'm afraid I've been playing a little game with you, Hawk."

Hawk's eyes snapped to Ruby's, his expression darkening. "What are you talking about?" he growled.

Ruby chuckled. "Oh, come on, Hawk. You know exactly what I'm talking about. You see, I've been working with Vex all along."

Aria's eyes widened in shock. "You're the mole," she accused.

Ruby nodded, her smile never wavering. "That's right. And I've been playing you all like fiddles."

Hawk's face twisted in anger. "You're going to pay for this, Ruby."

Ruby just laughed. "I don't think so, Hawk. You see, I've taken certain... precautions. Precautions that ensure I'll be the one walking out of here alive."

Aria's heart sank as Ruby pulled out a small device from her pocket. It was a detonator.

"What is that?" Nova demanded.

Ruby's smile grew wider. "It's a little surprise I have in store for you. You see, I've rigged the cabin with explosives. And with this detonator, I can blow it all to kingdom come."

Aria's eyes locked onto Ruby's, her heart racing with fear. They had to get out of there, fast.

But as she turned to Hawk, she saw that he was frozen in place, his eyes locked onto Ruby's.

"Hawk, we have to get out of here!" Aria shouted.

But Hawk didn't move. He just kept staring at Ruby, his expression darkening.

And then, in a flash of insight, Aria understood. Hawk and Ruby had a history. A history that went far beyond mere betrayal.

"Hawk, what's going on?" Aria demanded.

But Hawk didn't answer. He just kept staring at Ruby, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity.

Ruby's smile grew wider. "Oh, Hawk. You're so predictable. You always were."

And with that, Ruby pressed the detonator.

The cabin erupted into chaos as the explosives detonated, sending debris flying everywhere.

Aria's world went dark as she was knocked to the ground.

When she came to, she was disoriented and confused. The cabin was in ruins, and Hawk was nowhere to be seen.

Nova was shaking her, his eyes wild with fear. "Aria, we have to get out of here! Now!"

Aria's heart sank as she stumbled to her feet. They had to find Hawk.

But as they stumbled through the wreckage, Aria realized that Hawk was gone.

And Ruby was nowhere to be found.

Aria's heart was racing with fear. What had happened to Hawk?

And what did Ruby have planned next?

As they stumbled through the woods, Aria knew that they had to keep moving. They had to find Hawk, and they had to stop Ruby.

But as they walked, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

And when they stumbled into a clearing, Aria saw something that made her blood run cold.

A figure, waiting for them in the shadows.

A figure with piercing blue eyes, and a ruthless grin.

Aria's heart sank. They were in trouble.

Big trouble.