HERS TO PROTECT

Chapter 15

The Edge of Survival

Lia and Ethan sat together on the sandy coastline as morning broke, the sun slowly illuminating the vast expanse of the sea. Her head rested against his shoulder, a moment of fragile peace amidst their turmoil. An unfamiliar sound suddenly jolted Ethan awake.

He stirred, rubbing his eyes. "Lia, are you awake?" he whispered, gently shaking her. "I heard something."

In a daze, Lia sat up slowly, trying to hear. "What is it?" Panic began to claw at her chest as she recognized the approaching footsteps and muffled voices. "Someone's coming."

Ethan nodded, urgency etching his features. "We need to hide."

They hastily gathered their few belongings, and Ethan led Lia to a dense clump of bushes nearby, motioning for her to crouch down. They hid as the shouting became louder, their hearts racing.

Two men emerged from the trees, speaking in hushed tones. One was tall and muscular, the other shorter and wiry, armed with guns.

Ethan tightened his grip on Lia's hand, feeling her tremble beside him. Leaning closer, he whispered, "Stay still. We have to remain hidden."

Lia nodded, her breath shallow. She glanced at Ethan, drawing strength from his calm demeanor. Despite the danger, a surge of confidence flickered within her. "We can't stay hidden here for long; they might find us," she mouthed, squeezing his hand.

The men continued their search, poking through the bushes with their guns. "They're not here," the burly man finally said, frustration evident in his voice. "Let's go. We need to keep moving. They must have gone somewhere else."

Once the men disappeared along the shore, Ethan and Lia waited until the echoes of their footsteps faded into silence. Only then did they dare to breathe freely.

"Lia," Ethan whispered, his voice shaky, "what do we do now?"

Meeting his gaze, her optimism unwavering, Lia scanned their surroundings. "Those men must have picked up our SOS signal from yesterday," she said. "It's not safe for us here by the shore."

Ethan frowned, a deep furrow forming between his brows. "Are you suggesting we return to the forest? The armed men are still there. It would be suicide to go back. How will rescuers find us?"

"They'll venture into the forest to search for survivors. If we stay here, we're as good as dead," Lia explained, her voice steady but urgent.

As the sun rose, casting long shadows across the beach, Ethan and Lia cautiously emerged from their hiding spot. They needed to find a safer location away from the armed men searching the island.

"Let's avoid them and stay wary," Lia suggested.

Ethan nodded, determination hardening his features. "Alright, let's move quickly and quietly. We'll head back to the radio. If rescuers use helicopters, it might be our best chance to get their attention."

They swiftly moved through the underbrush, ensuring they left no trace. As they neared the cave, Ethan stopped, listening carefully for any signs of pursuit. Satisfied they weren't being followed, he signaled for Lia to enter.

"Okay, this is it. I think we can rest here for a bit," Ethan said, helping Lia settle into the cave.

As they sat down, trying to catch their breath, voices echoed through the forest again. The same two men had found their trail and were closing in fast. Lia's heart pounded as she glanced at Ethan, who was already strategizing how to secure their position.

Ethan gripped Lia's hand tightly as successive gunshots echoed through the trees. They had no clue what the attackers were shooting at. They exchanged glances when they heard voices just outside the cave.