The moon hung low in the sky, casting a faint silver glow over the camp as Percy and Leo crept through the shadows. The tension between them was palpable, but they didn't dare speak. The faint hum of a generator and the occasional murmur of voices from nearby tents were the only sounds as they made their way toward the storage shed.
"This is so stupid," Leo muttered under his breath, crouching low behind a stack of crates. His borrowed pistol felt unnaturally heavy in his waistband, but his fingers still twitched with nervous energy.
Percy shot him a warning glance. "Keep it down. We're almost there."
The storage shed loomed ahead, a squat metal structure with a single padlocked door. Two guards stood nearby, their rifles slung lazily over their shoulders. They didn't look particularly alert, but the sight of their weapons was enough to send a chill down Percy's spine.
Leo leaned in close, his voice barely a whisper. "What's the plan, boss?"
Percy's eyes scanned the area, his mind racing. "We wait for a distraction. Something to draw them away."
As if on cue, a distant shout echoed from the far side of the camp. Both guards straightened, their heads snapping toward the noise. They exchanged a quick look before one of them jogged off to investigate, leaving the other behind.
"That's our shot," Percy whispered, already moving.
They crept toward the shed, their footsteps muffled by the dirt. The remaining guard shifted his weight, yawning as he leaned against the shed. Percy's heart pounded in his ears as he silently drew the hunting knife strapped to his leg. One wrong move, and this could go south fast.
Leo hesitated, his breath hitching. "Percy—"
"Stay here," Percy hissed, cutting him off.
In one swift motion, Percy closed the distance, grabbing the guard from behind and pressing the knife to his throat. The man stiffened, his hands flying up in surrender.
"Quiet," Percy growled. "If you make a sound, I swear—"
The guard nodded frantically, his eyes wide with fear. Percy held him steady as Leo rushed forward, fumbling with the padlock on the shed. His fingers worked quickly, the soft click of the lock opening sending a surge of relief through both of them.
Inside, the shed was cramped and cluttered with supplies, but their weapons were easy to spot. Percy grabbed his rifle, slinging it over his shoulder, while Leo retrieved the pistol. The weight of the weapons in their hands felt like a lifeline.
"Got it," Leo whispered, stepping back.
Percy released the guard, shoving him roughly toward the wall. "Stay here. Don't move."
They slipped out of the shed and melted back into the shadows, leaving the guard frozen in place. The camp behind them was still stirring with activity, but they were already moving toward the gate, their escape now in motion.
Percy glanced down at the rifle strapped securely to his back. The weight of it was reassuring, a solid reminder of their resolve, even if the tension in the air made his stomach churn. His fingers itched to tighten around the grip, but he forced himself to keep them still. They couldn't afford to draw attention, not now. Not when every second mattered.
He exchanged a glance with Leo, who was fiddling nervously with the borrowed pistol at his hip. The younger boy's usual bravado was absent, replaced by a quiet unease that only made Percy more anxious. They stood near the camp's main gate, the towering chain-link fence looming above them, its barbed wire glinting faintly in the moonlight. Beyond it lay freedom—or at least a chance at it. But getting there was the hard part, and every instinct in Percy's body screamed that this was a bad idea.
