Chapter 12 - A Father’s Strength
They reached the granite ridge as three armed contractors approached the burning cabin, silhouettes against the roaring flames. Thomas pulled himself behind a boulder, his chest heaving, muscles burning from the sheer physical effort of dragging his lower body through the mud.
Elena raised her rifle, but Thomas caught her wrist. ""No. If you fire, their thermal drone will pinpoint our position immediately. Look at the tree line—there's an old forest service truck parked near the ranger station.""
""You can't drive that without hand controls, Thomas,"" Elena said, her eyes wide with concern.
""Then you're driving,"" Thomas replied, handing her his service weapon. ""Take Leo. Move through the gully where the thermal cameras can't see through the dense rhododendrons. I’ll draw them toward the ridge.""
""Daddy, no! Stay with me!"" Leo cried in a terrified whisper, clutching Thomas's torn sleeve with both hands, refusing to release his grip.
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Thomas looked into his son’s tearful hazel eyes, cupping the boy’s soft cheek with his dirt-streaked hand. ""Leo, remember what you told me on the sidewalk? You said you wanted Daddy to smile again. I promise you, when this is over, we will smile together every single day. But right now, you have to be the bravest boy in the world.""
Leo sniffled, swallowing his cries, and gave a small, solemn nod. He let go of the sleeve, burying his face into Elena’s shoulder as she slipped down into the darkness of the ravine.
