Chapter 6 - Shadows at the Window
Instinct took over. In a fraction of a second, Jax lunged across the room, grabbing the girl by the shoulder and pulling her flat against the floorboards behind a rotting wooden counter. The beam of light swept lazily across the shattered windowpane, illuminating the swirling dust particles before moving on. Outside, the crunch of heavy boots on dry pine needles sounded terrifyingly close. Jax’s hand slid instinctively toward his waist, though he carried no visible weapon, relying entirely on his imposing physical presence and street survival instincts. The girl’s heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird; she pressed her palms over her mouth to muffle her ragged breathing. A low, raspy voice drifted through the broken glass from outside, speaking into a radio or a cell phone. ""Sector four is clear, checking the old ranger outpost now. Call in if you spot the kid."" Jax’s eyes narrowed into slits as he listened to the unfamiliar cadence. These weren't local cops or random vagrants; these were professionals, and they were hunting them. With a subtle nod, Jax signaled the girl to stay put, sliding silently toward the back door like a phantom in the dark.
