A shout came from the left. Tracks head north. The man below turned and moved toward the voice. Elias exhaled quietly. They're following the wrong trail.
A Yoko whispered. Long enough for us to put distance between us, Elias said. But only if we move now. He stepped back, helping her rise without forcing contact. Aoka steadied herself on the stone wall until her balance settled.
The pain in her side sparked sharply, but she pushed it aside. There was no time to favor the wound. Elias led the way out of the shelter, guiding her through a narrow path between pines. The slope rose sharply, and patches of frozen dirt gave them firmer ground than the deep snow below. Aayoka followed close, watching his boots, matching his pace without overextending.
After several minutes, she finally spoke. "Where are we going? " Elias pointed toward a ridge half covered in brush. "Over that line, there's old logging ground on the other side. No one knows it better than I do. They'll lose our trail once the snow thins. " Ayoka nodded, trusting the certainty in his voice.
She didn't question his knowledge of the land. She only needed to keep up. They climbed for nearly an hour, moving fast enough to stay ahead, but slow enough to preserve her strength. Twice she stumbled, and each time Elias steadied her without hesitation, his hand brief, but firm. She didn't apologize, and he didn't expect her to.
Survival demanded effort, not excuses. When they reached the ridge, Elias stopped and scanned the valley below. The men had followed the false trail north. Their distant figures moving like dark smudges across the white ground. Aayoka watched them too, recognizing the one in the lead, a tall man with a coat she knew well.
That one, she said quietly. He's the one who gave the order. Elias studied him. The man walked with confidence, shoulders back, rifles slung across his chest. He wasn't reckless.
He wasn't guessing. He was simply following a trail he believed would end exactly where he intended. He won't stop, Elias said. Aayoka swallowed the tightness in her throat. "I know. " They crossed the ridge and descended into the logging ground.
Old stumps rose through shallow snow and broken branches littered the ground, leaving a chaotic pattern that made tracking difficult. Elias navigated through with certainty, choosing routes that left minimal impressions. Aayoka watched him, realizing something unanswered now made sense. How he had survived alone for so long. He didn't rely on luck or force.
He relied on knowledge of the land, patience, and precision. As they moved deeper into the thinning forest, Aoka's steps grew unsteady. "You're pushing too hard," Elias said, turning back. "If I slow down, they'll catch up," she replied. He stepped closer, studying her face.