The Memory Keeper: Twisted Roots

Chapter 26: Leverage and Lies

Tires screeched. The SUV swerved violently. More gunfire erupted from both sides of the road.

Ambush.

I barely had time to react before the driver lost control, sending us skidding across the pavement. My heart pounded as I ducked low, reaching for my gun. Outside, figures emerged from the tree line, masked and armed.

Shit.

A strong hand yanked me out of the car, and I spun, ready to fight—until I saw who it was.

"Ms. Stanton, can you run?" Gori, one of Frederick's men, barked, his voice sharp and urgent.

I nodded, my breath coming fast.

"Run as fast as you can. Take this—I'll cover you."

He shoved a static phone into my hand along with a gun. No hesitation. No second chances.

Gunfire erupted again, closer this time. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the burning rubber of our wrecked vehicle. My pulse pounded in my ears.

"Go! Now!" Gori shouted.

On his mark, I turned and ran—sprinting into the dense woods, the cold air slashing against my face.

Behind me, bullets tore through the night.

 ran—fast, without looking back. The adrenaline pumped through my veins, drowning out the sting of the cold rain slashing against my skin.

Shouts echoed behind me. Heavy footsteps crashed through the wet underbrush. They were following me. Hunting me.

But I didn't stop. I couldn't.

The forest was thick, the ground slick with rain and mud. My lungs burned, my legs ached, but I pushed forward—dodging branches, leaping over fallen logs, my grip tightening around the gun Gori had given me.

Minutes passed. Maybe longer.

Then—silence.

I slowed, chest heaving, every muscle screaming for rest. Had I lost them?

My hands trembled as I pressed against the rough bark of a tree, trying to steady my breath. The rain poured harder, masking every sound.

I swallowed hard. I needed to keep moving.

I pushed forward, my breath ragged, my body screaming for rest. The rain had turned the ground into a slick mess of mud and fallen leaves, but I didn't stop—not until I was sure I had lost them.

Then, through the dense fog and darkness, I spotted it.

A small, abandoned cabin stood in the middle of the forest, its wooden walls weathered and rotting, barely visible through the heavy downpour. It looked deserted—forgotten. But right now, it was my only chance for cover.

I forced my aching legs to move, stumbling toward the door. It creaked loudly as I pushed it open, my gun raised, heart pounding. The inside was cold and damp, filled with the stale scent of decayed wood and rain-soaked earth.

I shut the door behind me and pressed my back against it, my fingers trembling around the gun. For now, I was safe.

But I knew it wouldn't last.

As I caught my breath, I sat on the creaky wooden floor, my back against the door. My hands were still trembling, but I forced myself to focus.

I grabbed the static phone Gori had given me and turned the small dial, searching for a signal. The device crackled with white noise, the sound grating against the eerie silence of the cabin.

Nothing.

I adjusted the frequency again. Come on... work.

Then, a faint voice broke through the static. "--Khai? If you can hear this, respond."

My pulse spiked. Frederick.

I pressed the button. "I'm here." My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

"Where are you?" he asked, his tone sharp with urgency.

I glanced around the dark cabin, listening to the rain pounding on the roof. "Somewhere in the forest. I ran west from the ambush site. I found a cabin—looks abandoned."

There was silence for a beat. Then, Frederick's voice returned, firmer this time. "Stay where you are. I'll pick you up with a chopper. Give me a landmark."

I swallowed hard, peering out the grimy window. "There's a clearing about fifty yards north of the cabin. Trees are sparse there—it should be wide enough."

"Good. Keep your head down. We'll be there soon."

I gripped the gun in my lap, exhaling shakily. Just hold on a little longer.

Thirty minutes later, the distant sound of rotor blades sliced through the night. I looked up through the cabin's broken window, spotting a chopper approaching my location. The rain had eased, but the cold still clung to my skin.

I grabbed the static phone. "I see you," I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline still pumping through me.

"Good. Move to the clearing now," Frederick instructed.

I tightened my grip on the gun and pushed the door open, stepping carefully over the damp forest floor. My legs ached from running, but I forced myself forward. As I reached the clearing, the chopper descended, its searchlight sweeping the area.

Just as I was about to step into the open, a rustling sound came from behind me. I spun around, gun raised, my heartbeat hammering in my ears.

Was I alone? Or had they found me?

But it was just a wild boar, startled by the noise. Letting out a shaky breath, I didn't waste another second—I sprinted toward the chopper. The wind from the rotor blades whipped against my face, my legs burning with exhaustion.

With one final haul, I pushed myself up onto the floor of the chopper. Strong hands grabbed me, steadying me. "I got you," Frederick said, his voice firm as he helped me into a seat.

I exhaled sharply, my body finally registering the ache from the chase. My clothes were soaked, my hands trembling slightly from the cold and adrenaline. As the chopper lifted off, I glanced back at the dark forest below, knowing that this was far from over.