Chapter 7 - A Desperate Refuge
The sirens grew louder, but they weren't police sirens—they were the high-pitched wails of Vanguard Security, Silas’s private, corrupt security force.
"They control the main roads," Marcus said, his hands flying over the steering wheel of his old truck. Rex was in the back cab, his massive head resting on Leo’s lap. Leo was gently stroking his ears, completely calm despite the chaos. "We can't go to the local police. The sheriff is in Silas’s pocket."
"Where do we go?" Sarah asked, her heart hammering.
"Into the swamp," Marcus said, turning the truck onto a narrow, overgrown logging trail that led deep into the Ocala National Forest. "My old cabin is too obvious. We go to the Sinkhole—an old limestone cave system I used for K-9 survival training. They won't find us there easily."
The truck bounced violently over the rough terrain, the branches of oak trees clawing at the windshield.
Behind them, the headlights of three black SUVs appeared through the trees. Vanguard was tracking them.
"They have thermal scopes," Marcus muttered. "We have to abandon the truck."
He slammed on the brakes near a thick cypress grove. "Out! Now! Carry the boy!"
Sarah grabbed Leo, wrapping him in her jacket. They plunged into the dark, wet forest, the mud sucking at their boots. Rex ran beside them, his ears twitching, his senses alert to every sound.
"This way," Marcus whispered, guiding them down a steep, slippery ravine.
May you like
Behind them, they could hear the shouting of men and the barking of tracking hounds. Silas was desperate. He knew that if Sarah’s phone recording got out, his entire empire would crumble.
"Find them!" Silas’s voice echoed through the trees. "I don't care about the kid or the woman! Just kill the dog and get that phone!"
