Chapter 5 - The Silent Hunt
The rain stopped by dawn, leaving a thick, clinging fog that blanketed the forest in an eerie, silent white shroud.
Thomas extinguished the fire, ensuring no smoke would betray their position. He checked his ammunition—only one magazine left. He had traded his other supplies to a local farmer yesterday for a small loaf of bread and some dried fruit for Liam.
"We have to be absolutely quiet today, Liam," Thomas whispered as they stepped back into the forest. "The fog is our friend, but it hides the enemy too."
Liam nodded, holding his wooden horse close. He stepped exactly where Thomas stepped, trying to make his small sneakers as silent as the soldier's heavy boots.
Suddenly, Thomas froze.
The sharp, metallic click of a rifle safety being disengaged sounded from the fog ahead.
Thomas instantly pushed Liam behind a thick oak tree, raising his rifle as three enemy soldiers emerged from the white mist, their gray uniforms damp, their eyes searching the brush.
"Spread out," the enemy commander ordered in a low voice. "Someone was here. The ashes of the fire are still warm."
Thomas held his breath, his finger resting on the cold trigger. He could easily take out the first soldier, but the other two would locate him instantly. He looked back at Liam. The boy had his eyes shut tight, his hands clamped over his ears, praying silently.
Thomas made his decision. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small stone, and hurled it into the ravine to their left.
The stone clattered loudly against the wet rocks.
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"Over there!" the enemy commander barked, and the three soldiers rushed toward the sound, disappearing into the thick fog.
Thomas didn't wait. He scooped Liam up and ran in the opposite direction, his heart hammering against his ribs as they escaped into the safety of the deep forest.
