The river was cold, the water biting at their legs as they trudged through, one foot in front of the other. The group barely spoke, the silence louder than any words could be. Each step felt heavy, the weight of the night pressing on them. The sound of rushing water was all around, masking the footsteps that followed. 
Evelyn kept her eyes on the shore ahead, her senses alert, as the others followed her. The moonlight above reflected on the water, casting a pale glow on the scene. But even the beauty of the night couldn’t mask the unease settling in her chest. Donovan’s words echoed in her mind, his smug face burned into her memory.
You’re just pawns in a game.
Evelyn didn’t know if she could trust Claire anymore. She wanted to, but the doubt gnawed at her. She had known Claire for a long time, seen her struggles, but the way she reacted to Donovan, there was something more there. Something Evelyn didn’t understand.
"How much farther?" Ben’s voice broke through her thoughts. His tone was filled with exhaustion, and Evelyn could hear the strain in his words.
Claire looked over her shoulder, her face grim. "Not far. Just keep going."
The group continued in silence, the water now reaching their waists, the current strong and cold. They were close to the other shore. But the moment they set foot on solid ground, the noise of their movement became noticeable. The brush around them stirred with every step they took. 
Suddenly, Sarah’s hand shot up. “Stop,” she whispered urgently. "Something’s off."
Evelyn froze, her rifle still held tightly in her hands. Her heart raced as she listened, her senses on high alert. In the distance, she could hear something, faint at first, but growing louder with each passing second.
Footsteps.
They weren’t alone.
“We’re being followed,” Evelyn whispered, her voice barely audible above the sounds of the river. She could feel the tension in the group, every one of them aware of what was coming.
"We need to move faster," Claire said urgently. Her eyes were scanning the trees, her expression tense. "We can’t outrun them, but we can lose them in the woods."
“Ben, get the rear,” Evelyn ordered. “Sarah, Thomas, you’re with me. Claire, keep us moving.”
The group split into two, with Evelyn leading the charge through the thick trees. The sound of footsteps grew louder, closer. Whoever was following them was gaining ground.
"How many?" Thomas whispered, his voice barely above a breath.
“Too many to count,” Evelyn said, grimly. "But we can’t stop."
They pushed on, weaving through the trees, trying to keep their movements as quiet as possible. The moonlight barely cut through the dense canopy above, making the forest feel even darker than it already was. Evelyn’s breath came in quick bursts, the adrenaline surging through her veins. 
Her eyes darted to Claire, who was still in the lead. She seemed focused, but there was something about her movements that felt off. As though she was guiding them somewhere, but where? Evelyn couldn’t shake the feeling that Claire knew more than she was letting on. 
“Claire, what’s the plan?” Evelyn called out, her voice sharp with suspicion.
Claire didn’t turn back. "We need to get to the outpost. It’s the only place where we’ll be safe."
“Safe from what? Donovan?” Evelyn pressed. "What about the people following us?"
“Focus,” Claire snapped, her tone suddenly harsh. “We have no time for questions.”
They pushed forward, the sound of footsteps growing louder, the tension building with each passing second. Evelyn’s mind raced. She couldn’t trust Claire’s words completely, not yet. Not after everything that had happened.
Suddenly, a figure darted out of the shadows ahead. Evelyn barely had time to react before the person lunged at her. She raised her rifle just in time to fire, the shot ringing out and the figure falling to the ground with a heavy thud.
“Who was that?” Sarah gasped, her voice trembling.
"Another one of Donovan’s men," Evelyn said, her pulse racing. “We need to keep moving. They’re getting closer.”
The group didn’t hesitate. They kept running, knowing that stopping would only get them killed. As they reached a clearing, Claire suddenly halted, her body tense.
“This is it,” Claire said, her voice low.
The group stopped, looking around. There was no sign of an outpost, just trees and darkness. The clearing felt too still, too quiet. Evelyn’s heart pounded in her chest, and she immediately raised her rifle, scanning the area for threats.
"Where is it?" Ben asked, his voice strained.
"Right here," Claire said, stepping forward and moving a large tree branch aside. Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise.
Behind the thick foliage was an old stone structure, an abandoned outpost. It looked untouched, hidden by the dense forest. The door was slightly ajar, as if waiting for them to arrive.
“Get inside,” Claire said quickly. “They won’t follow us here.”
Evelyn hesitated for a moment, her eyes still on the trees, her ears straining for any sign of movement. But then, with no other choice, she motioned for the group to follow.
They rushed inside, the door creaking as they closed it behind them. The interior was dark and musty, but it was a shelter. It was something they needed.
As the group settled inside, Claire leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. Her eyes were distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Evelyn watched her closely.
"What’s really going on, Claire?" she asked softly, her voice a mixture of concern and suspicion. "What aren’t you telling us?"
Claire’s eyes flickered to Evelyn, and for a moment, she seemed torn. Then, without a word, she turned away, her back to the group.
Evelyn could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. She had to know the truth. But right now, there were other things to worry about. 
"We’ll talk later," Claire muttered. "Right now, we need to rest. Tomorrow, we move again."
Evelyn nodded, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that the night had only just begun, and that the darkest part of their journey was yet to come.