I'm telling you to move. He corrected. Running is different. She held a stare for a moment. Then she gave a tight nod.
They didn't have time to argue. He opened a small wooden crate under the table and grabbed a pouch of ammunition, sliding it into his coat. Then he took a blanket from the cot, wrapped it around her shoulders, and pulled the hood low to conceal her face. The gesture was practical, but the care behind it was unmistakable. A sharp knock hit the front door.
A single heavy blow meant to test the wood. Aayoka froze. Elias didn't glance at her. His focus remained on the door. Out the back, he whispered quiet.
She moved first, slipping toward the rear exit. Her steps were slow but balanced. Elias followed close behind, careful not to let the rifle scrape against the wall. Before leaving, he looked once more at the front door. Another knock came, this time louder.
He closed the back door softly behind them. They stepped into deep snow, the cold biting instantly at their faces and hands. Elias guided her toward the line of trees behind the cabin. They stayed low, using the slope and brush as cover. A sudden crash echoed behind them.
The front door had been forced open. Aayoka's breathing tightened. She wanted to look back, but Elias touched her arm lightly, urging her forward. "Don't stop," he said. "They're inside now.
That buys us minutes. " She pushed through the snow, ignoring the sharp pull in her side. Elias stayed close, watching the cabin and the tree line at once. Their tracks were visible, but he led them through patches where wind had already drifted snow, making the path harder to follow. When they reached a cluster of boulders, he paused. She leaned against one to catch her breath.
"What will they do in the cabin? " she asked. "Search," he said. "Realize we left, then track us. " Aoka swallowed hard. "Will they hurt each other to push someone into the lead? " Elias looked at her, understanding the deeper question, what kind of men they were. No, he said they don't need cruelty to stay focused.
That makes them dangerous. He wasn't speaking to frighten her. He was giving her clarity. They continued moving uphill. Snow thinned under the trees, making the climb easier.
Elias checked over his shoulder repeatedly, studying the valley. Soon, smoke began to rise from the cabin chimney. Thin, gray, unnatural. They lit a fire, Aoka said. They're drying themselves, Elias replied, getting warm before following.