Experiment of Fate ~ A Bellamy Blake story

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The air inside the rover was thick, oppressive, and suffocating. Isla huddled in the corner, her knees drawn tightly to her chest, rocking back and forth in a desperate attempt to soothe herself. The cramped space seemed to close in with each passing second, the walls pressing in from all sides. Time had become a blur—hours had stretched and twisted into an endless cycle of anxious waiting and numbing boredom. Every little noise, every creak and groan of the rover, sent a fresh wave of unease coursing through her. To escape the gnawing dread, she hummed a soft, quiet melody, barely above a whisper, as though trying to wrap herself in the fragile comfort of sound. The tune was hers and hers alone, a private refuge from the storm of her thoughts.

But Bellamy wasn't fooled. He was watching her, his gaze flicking toward her every few minutes. She could feel the weight of his concern pressing down on her, even though he hadn't spoken a word. He knew her too well, knew the way her mind raced when fear took root.

"It's been three hours. What are they waiting for?" Bellamy's voice broke through the silence like a crack of thunder, sharp and filled with an edge of frustration. The question seemed to hang in the air, pulling everyone's focus in a shared sense of unease.

Isla blinked, startled out of her reverie. Her gaze drifted to the small window beside her, the glass fogged with condensation. Outside, the forest was dark, an impenetrable wall of thick trees and twisting branches. The woods loomed like a living entity, its dark fingers clawing at the rover. Even with the powerful lights cutting through the darkness, the shadows seemed to swallow them whole.

She spoke softly, her voice barely audible as she tried to steady herself. "Even with the light, I can't see anyone."

Monty, the driver, turned in his seat, his face a mask of desperation. "I say we make a run for it."

"No." The command came from Kane and Indra in unison. Their voices were firm, resolute, like a wall against Monty's impulsive suggestion. Indra's eyes locked onto him, steady and unwavering. "That's exactly what they want. They can wait longer than us."

Kane's expression hardened as he turned toward Bellamy. His voice was sharp, edged with authority. "Bellamy, get in the turret. Cover us. Once we reach the ridge, we'll cover you."

It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order.

Bellamy hesitated for a moment, casting a quick glance at Isla. His face softened with concern, but he didn't hesitate. "Copy that. Run fast."

He stood, the motion swift and determined, pushing open the hatch above him. Isla's heart skipped a beat as she watched him pull himself up, weapon in hand, ready for whatever might be waiting outside. But then, he froze. A tension crackled in the air, as though time itself had paused.

"They're here," he whispered, his voice low but sharp. The words sliced through the silence like a blade, and Isla's stomach dropped.

The world seemed to grind to a halt. Her pulse hammered in her ears, drowning out everything but the frantic thumping of her heart. Her mind screamed at her to act—to run, to hide—but her body refused to obey. She was paralyzed by fear, her limbs frozen in place. Then, a voice broke through the stillness, cruel and commanding.

"Everyone out, or the boy dies!"

The words hit Isla like a blow to the chest. Her breath caught, panic surging through her veins. Her head jerked up, her eyes locking onto Bellamy, standing outside, exposed and vulnerable. Her throat tightened, the words spilling out before she could stop them, her voice trembling with fear. "Okay, okay, we're coming out! Please don't hurt him!"

She tossed her gun to the floor, her hands shaking, and scrambled to follow Kane and Monty out of the rover. But the moment her feet hit the cold ground, everything went wrong. Rough hands grabbed her, and she was slammed into the dirt, pain shooting through her ribs as a heavy knee pressed into her back, pinning her down. Every breath she took was jagged and painful, her chest tight with the weight of it.