The Cage (Book 2) ✔️

Tunnel Vision

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Tunnel Vision

Schneider's P.O.V.

The cold night air hit me like a splash of water—harsh but awakening. Every step I took was a calculated effort, my body screaming in protest, my bleeding back especially, but my mind locked onto one thing: freedom. Kasian was beside me, his movements fluid, his eyes scanning the dark forest like a predator. He was relentless, but so was I.

"Faster," Kasian growled, his voice low but urgent.

I shot him a glare, steadying myself against the tree trunk I'd leaned on. "I'm moving, aren't I?" My voice came out hoarse but steady. There was no room for weakness, not here. Not now.

He paused, his sharp gaze slicing through me. "You're slowing down. If they catch us—"

"They won't." I straightened, ignoring the ache in my ribs. My hand clenched into a fist. "I didn't fight this long to die in the fucking woods."

Kasian didn't respond. Instead, his lips curled into a faint smirk—one of approval. Without another word, he turned and led the way. I followed, my steps slow and quiet but deliberate. Every sound—the crunch of leaves, the faint rustle of branches—set my nerves on edge. My detestable captor wouldn't let me go without a fight, and I wasn't about to let the son of a bitch win.

The distant shouts of pursuit reached my ears, faint but growing louder. Kasian glanced back at me, his expression unreadable.

"If they get too close," he said evenly, "we split. I'll lead them away."

I scoffed, brushing past him to take the lead. "Not happening. You dragged me out of that hellhole; I'm not leaving you to clean up the mess."

Even though it's entirely your fault I was ever there in the first place, I wanted to spitefully add, but I refrained for now. There would be time to place blame and rehash the past later.

Kasian chuckled under his breath, a sound that brought forth fragments of memories that I thought long forgotten.

"Still stubborn, I see."

"You're one to talk." I retorted.

The faint glimmer of headlights broke through the trees, and my pulse quickened. Relief mingled with caution. I recognized the SUV in the clearing—it was part of Kasian's plan. But the other vehicle barreling toward us wasn't.

"Friends of yours?" I asked with growing wariness, glancing at Kasian then back at the car -a pickup truck.

He didn't answer. His focus was on the fast-approaching truck, his body tense. "Keep moving. Looks like we're not out of the woods yet."

I didn't argue. Adrenaline surged through me, dulling the pain and sharpening my instincts. The forest opened into a clearing, and we moved swiftly toward the waiting SUV. I could hear the engine idling, see the faint glow of a cigarette flicked to the ground. Kasian pushed me toward the car, but I instinctively turned back toward the second vehicle that had come to a screeching halt right next to the SUV, sending grass and dirt flying into the air.

I cursed under my breath and braced for another fight.

All four doors flew open, and four figures emerged. My fists clenched, my stance steady despite the toll the escape had taken. But then, in the glare of the headlights, I saw them—familiar faces.

Schneizel. Aiden. Cade.

And Julian.

****

Julian's P.O.V.