Story 367: The Unexpected Reunion

Zara Kincaid pressed her back against the cold stone wall, her breathing steady but her mind racing. The facility’s flickering lights barely illuminated the corridor, casting eerie shadows that danced like ghosts. She adjusted her grip on the tactical blade in her hand, her firearm holstered for moments where silence wasn’t an option. The beacon’s signal was getting stronger, pulling her deeper into the unknown.

But then, she heard it—soft, deliberate footsteps, echoing just beyond the bend. Zara tensed, her instincts screaming that she wasn’t alone. Slowly, she edged closer, peering around the corner.

A familiar figure stood there, backlit by the dim, flickering light. His blonde hair and sharp features were unmistakable, even through the grime and exhaustion etched onto his face.

"Zara?"

Her breath hitched. "Rowan? What the hell are you doing here?"