The Chronicles of Tim and Lucy

Into the Fire

The voice echoed through the trees, cold and confident. Lucy's heart raced, her body tense as she crouched low in the grass beside Tim. She could feel Marcus trembling next to her, the fear radiating off him like heat. Tim squeezed her hand, grounding her in the moment, and her mind sharpened into laser focus.

"We're going to be okay," Tim whispered, barely audible but firm. His eyes flickered to Marcus, whose wide, frightened eyes darted between them. "Stay still. Let them come to us."

Lucy swallowed hard, her throat dry. Every instinct screamed at her to grab Marcus and run, but she knew Tim was right. They couldn't outrun these guys—not with Marcus. And if they tried to flee now, they'd be too exposed. The forest that had once seemed like an escape now felt like a trap.

Footsteps crunched on the dry leaves behind them, slow and deliberate. They were close—too close. Lucy's breath caught as shadows moved through the trees. She could make out two men, their silhouettes barely visible in the early morning light. Both were armed.

Her heart pounded as one of the men called out again. "We know you're here. It's just a matter of time."

Lucy's grip tightened on her gun, her hand steady even though her mind was racing. She exchanged a glance with Tim, whose jaw was clenched, eyes dark with resolve. They didn't have the luxury of staying hidden much longer.

"On my signal," Tim whispered, leaning closer to her, their faces inches apart. "We create a distraction. I'll draw them out. You take Marcus and get to the other side of the clearing. There's a cabin down the hill—use it as cover."

Lucy's pulse spiked. "You're not going alone, Tim."

Tim's eyes softened for a split second before hardening again with determination. "It's the only way. Trust me, Lucy. I need you to get Marcus to safety."

Before she could argue, Tim turned his attention back to the approaching men. The tension between them hung in the air, thick and heavy with unspoken feelings, but there was no time to unpack any of it now. Not with danger so close.

Lucy took a deep breath, her mind racing to catch up with the plan. She could feel the weight of Tim's words, the desperation behind his cool demeanor. He was willing to put himself on the line for them, for her—and she wasn't sure how to feel about it. The intensity of it was almost suffocating.

But she trusted him. She always had.

"Okay," she whispered, barely able to get the word out.

Tim's gaze lingered on hers for a moment longer, something unspoken passing between them. And then, without another word, he moved.

Tim stood up from their hiding spot, making enough noise to draw attention. "Over here!" he shouted, his voice loud and commanding.

The two men whipped around, their guns raised, startled by Tim's sudden appearance. Lucy's heart leaped into her throat as Tim bolted in the opposite direction, sprinting toward the trees on the far side of the clearing.

"Go!" Tim's voice rang out as he disappeared into the brush, the men hot on his trail.

Lucy didn't waste a second. She grabbed Marcus's hand, pulling him to his feet. "Come on," she urged, her voice low but firm. "We have to move, now."

Marcus didn't hesitate, trusting her completely as they ran in the opposite direction. Lucy's pulse pounded in her ears as they sprinted through the trees, her eyes darting between the thick trunks, searching for the cabin Tim had mentioned.

The forest seemed to stretch on forever, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs making her heart race. She could still hear the distant shouts of the men chasing Tim, but she forced herself to focus on getting Marcus to safety.