Chapter 18

The air was thick with anticipation as they prepared to leave the cabin. Simon sat silently by the door, finishing his meal, while Nina double-checked the duffel bag of cash. Miel's pulse thrummed in her ears as she gathered their few belongings, her mind still racing with Simon's words.

They were running out of time.

Jasmine moved through the cabin with a quiet efficiency, packing a few cans of food and a blanket for Maxwell, her face set in a determined expression. But Miel could see the fear beneath the surface. They were all on edge, teetering between hope and desperation.

Maxwell whined softly, sensing the tension in the room. Miel knelt beside him, rubbing his ears in an attempt to calm him down, but her own nerves were frayed. She shot a glance at Jasmine, who caught her eye for just a moment. It was a fleeting connection, but it spoke volumes. They were in this together—whatever came next, they would face it side by side.

Nina's voice cut through the silence. "The station wagon's ready. We'll take the back roads, avoid any main routes. With any luck, we'll be out of this area by dawn."

Simon stood up, brushing off his hands. "I'll ride with you. I'll give you the directions to my contact once we're out of the immediate area."

Miel felt a pang of unease at the idea of bringing Simon along. He was still a wild card—an ally, perhaps, but one they couldn't fully trust. But what choice did they have? He had the information they needed, and right now, that was more valuable than anything.

Jasmine slung a backpack over her shoulder and gave a firm nod. "Let's get out of here."

---

The night was quiet as they slipped out of the cabin and into the car, the engine rumbling to life with a low, steady hum. Miel took the wheel again, her hands gripping it tightly as they pulled onto the dirt road. Jasmine sat in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the darkness ahead, while Nina and Simon took the backseat with Maxwell nestled between them.

Simon leaned forward slightly, his voice low. "Take the next left. We'll be hitting a series of back roads from here—no streetlights, no traffic. Just keep your eyes sharp."

Miel nodded, her heart racing as she followed his instructions. The road was rough, lined with trees that loomed like shadows on either side. Every bump and jolt sent a fresh wave of anxiety through her. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that at any moment the flashing lights of a police car would appear in the rearview mirror.

The silence inside the car was suffocating, broken only by the occasional sound of Maxwell shifting in his seat or the soft rustling of Nina's jacket as she adjusted the bag of money. Miel glanced at Jasmine, who hadn't spoken since they left the cabin. Her face was pale, her jaw clenched.

"You okay?" Miel asked quietly, not taking her eyes off the road.

Jasmine gave a small nod, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah... just thinking."

Miel knew what she meant. They were both thinking the same thing—what if this was it? What if their luck had finally run out?

After what felt like hours, Simon spoke again. "There's a small town coming up in about five miles. We'll stop there for gas, but we'll have to be quick. No lingering, no drawing attention. We're still in dangerous territory."

Miel's stomach tightened. "What if someone recognizes us?"

Simon's smile was faint, but there was something almost reassuring about it. "Not likely. This place is a ghost town at this hour. As long as you keep your head down, you'll be fine."

---

They pulled into the gas station just after midnight, the neon lights flickering above them like a distant, dying star. The place was deserted, the pumps standing in eerie stillness under the weak glow of the overhead lights. Miel turned off the engine and exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of the moment settle on her shoulders.

"We'll need to be fast," Nina said, already reaching for the door. "I'll fill up the tank. You two stay in the car."

Jasmine gave a quick nod, her fingers resting on the door handle. "Miel, keep an eye out."

Miel scanned the dark, empty road in both directions as Nina stepped out of the car, moving swiftly to the pump. Simon shifted in his seat, watching the surroundings with a practiced eye. There was something about his calm that unnerved Miel—like he had done this too many times before, like he was used to living on the edge.

"Relax," Simon murmured. "We're almost clear."

But Miel couldn't relax. Her mind was racing, her instincts screaming at her that something was off. Maybe it was the isolation of the town, the eerie quiet, or maybe it was the fact that they were too close to the highway. But every muscle in her body was tense, ready for something to go wrong.

Jasmine leaned closer, her voice barely a whisper. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Miel didn't need to ask why. She felt it too.

Suddenly, the distant hum of an engine cut through the night. Miel's heart leapt into her throat as she spotted headlights approaching from the direction they had just come. The car was moving slowly, as if the driver was looking for something—or someone.

Nina was still outside, finishing up with the gas. She hadn't noticed the headlights yet. Miel's pulse quickened, her hand instinctively reaching for her gun.

"Nina!" Jasmine hissed, her voice sharp.

Nina looked up, her eyes widening as she spotted the approaching car. Without hesitation, she yanked the pump out of the tank and slammed it back into its holder, moving faster than Miel had ever seen her move. She darted back into the driver's seat, slamming the door shut just as the headlights came into full view.

"Get us out of here," Jasmine whispered urgently, her eyes locked on the car.

Miel didn't need to be told twice. She started the engine and peeled out of the gas station, her hands gripping the steering wheel with a white-knuckled intensity. The other car was still behind them, but it wasn't speeding up—it seemed to be keeping its distance, as if waiting for something.

"Keep driving," Simon said calmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "Don't look back."

Miel's breath came in shallow gasps as she pushed the car faster, the night rushing past them in a blur. The headlights behind them grew smaller and smaller, until they disappeared altogether, swallowed by the darkness.

Jasmine exhaled a shaky breath, her hand reaching for Miel's. "We made it."

But Miel wasn't so sure. Her heart was still pounding, her mind racing with the possibilities. That car... it hadn't felt like a coincidence. It had felt like a warning.

"We need to keep moving," Nina said grimly. "They're closer than we thought."

Simon's eyes were fixed on the road ahead, his expression unreadable. "We'll make it," he said softly. "We have to."

---

The rest of the drive was a blur of dark roads and tense silence. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every distant sound a potential danger. Miel's grip on the wheel never loosened, and neither did her nerves.

They didn't stop again until they reached the outskirts of the next town, hours later. The sun was beginning to rise, casting a faint glow over the horizon. Miel could feel the exhaustion settling into her bones, but there was no time to rest. They had to keep moving, had to stay ahead of whatever was coming for them.

Simon leaned forward again, his voice low. "We're close. My contact lives in a small place just outside this town. Once we're there, you'll be safe. For now."

Miel glanced at Jasmine, who gave her a tired but hopeful smile. They had come so far and survived so much. If Simon's contact could really help them, this could be their chance—maybe their only chance—to disappear for good.

But Miel couldn't shake the feeling that they were still running out of time.