LINES IN THE SAND

As a chilling reminder that our opponents' shadows were always only a step behind us, the engine's deep rumbling sent shivers down my spine. With her keen eyes searching the darkness for the oncoming car, Lydia had already raised her weapon.

Ethan leaned heavily on me, breathing loudly and shallowly. There was nowhere left to run, despite my every instinct telling me to keep going and pull him farther into the forest and away from the escalating danger.

Lydia's voice was hardly audible above a whisper when she stated, "They're close."

I felt my gut twist at the strain in her posture. Despite her best efforts to appear composed, I could see the tension in her eyes. She was as aware as I was that we were at a loss for what to do.

"What are we going to do?" My voice trembled as I asked.

Lydia gripped her weapon more tightly. "We don't back down. They will hunt us down like prey if we flee.