Chapter 69: An Unwelcome Surprise

Morning dawns on the beach with golden light filtering through the slats of our hut. Elena and I dress quickly, stepping outside to find Zach and Marta tense. Marta motions us over.

"We scouted up the coastline. Found footprints—someone else is here," she mutters. "Could be fishermen… or hired guns."

My gut twists. We can't escape this relentless pursuit. Zach suggests we move inland, but we're waiting on a contact who's supposed to bring a boat. Another wave of complications.

Elena squeezes my arm, eyes filled with renewed fear. Another day, another threat. We regroup, packing minimal supplies. I steal a last glance at the hut, remembering the feverish intimacy of the night before. That fleeting closeness might be all we have left as the world closes in.