Echoes of Red [BINI AU]

Chapter 35

Third Person's Point Of View

The cabin was silent except for the occasional crackling of the dying fire in the hearth. The group huddled close together, and felt the weight of their loss hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

The air was thick with tension, exhaustion evident in their eyes. Colet sat at the head of the group, her expression steely and focused.

A rough map of the area lay spread out before her, the paper worn and creased from years of use.

"We need to act fast," Colet began, her voice steady, though the strain was visible in her tense posture. She pointed to a small, barely noticeable mark on the map, her finger tracing a route through the dense forest surrounding the facility. "This is where they've taken Sheena."

The mention of Sheena's name brought a visible shift in the group's demeanor. Mikha clenched her jaw, her hands tightening into fists as she fought back the grief threatening to overwhelm her. Aiah, usually calm and composed, had an edge of anxiety in her eyes, her thoughts racing. Jhoanna, who often masked her emotions with sarcasm, now wore an expression of grim determination.

"Why there?" Aiah asked, her voice tight with concern. "Why would they take her to such a remote place?"

Colet hesitated, her eyes flickering with a moment of doubt. She knew more than she was letting on, but revealing the full truth would only complicate things. She decided to keep her knowledge about why Sheena was taken to herself for now.

"They took her there because it's secure, and because..." Colet paused, choosing her words carefully, "...because it's a place I know well. I grew up in that facility. It's heavily guarded, and once they secure her in the inner compound, it'll be nearly impossible to get her out."

Mikha's heart sank. The thought of Sheena being held in such a place, surrounded by men who wouldn't hesitate to hurt her, fueled her anger. "So what's the plan? We're not just going to sit here and do nothing!"

Colet met Mikha's gaze, her eyes unwavering. "We're not sitting around, but we can't rush in blindly either. The facility's defenses are tight. If we try to storm it, we'll all end up captured or worse.."

"Dead."

Jhoanna leaned in closer, studying the map. "Do you know of any weaknesses? Anything we can use to our advantage?"

Colet nodded, her fingers tracing another path on the map. "There's a secret door in the forest, an old escape route I used to use when I was a kid. It's not on any official blueprints, and it leads directly into the facility. It's risky, but it's our best shot."

Aiah furrowed her brow, processing the information. "What about the guards? How do we get past them?"

"We'll have to move under the cover of night," Colet replied. "The guards are well-trained, and they know how to track intruders. But if we stick to the shadows and move quietly, we can avoid detection. Once we're inside, we'll need to find Sheena quickly. Time is against us."

Mikha, still seething with a mix of fear and anger, forced herself to take a deep breath. "And what if we're caught?"

Colet's eyes hardened. "We won't be. We can't afford to be. Sheena's father is expecting us. We stick to the plan, stay together, and we'll get her out."

The room fell into a heavy silence as the gravity of the situation settled over them. Each of them knew the risks involved, but they also knew that there was no other choice.

They had to save Sheena, no matter the cost.

-

After finalizing their plan, the group wasted no time in preparing for the journey. The night was deepening, the moon casting an eerie glow over the landscape as they scoured the nearby area for a vehicle. The silence of the night was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl.