Chapter 149
The captive stumbled along the desolate road, his legs heavy and his vision blurred from hunger and exhaustion,
was still a miracle that he had managed to escape from Gabriel’s clutches, but the victory felt like it was slipping from his hands with each passing
moment
He hadn’t eaten in days, and the meager water
ger water he’d managed to drink from a nearby stream barely kept him moving
But, he couldn’t stop.
The thought of her was the only thing keeping him going. She was also the one who had kept him sane for years. If he gave up, it would all be for nothing
She didn’t even know be existed, but that didn’t matter. He had to find her to warn her about Gabriel and the web of lies she had been ensnared in
The road ahead stretched endlessly, and it was surrounded by trees that gave little shelter from the harsh weather.
He pulled the tattered jacket he had found in the dumpster tighter around himself, shivering as the cold seeped into his bones.
In the distance, he spotted the faint glow of headlights. It was a vehicle. His heart quickened as he stepped into the middle of the road, waving his arms weakly to flag it dowIL
The car slowed, and a man rolled down the window, his expression weary. Are you trying to get yourself killed?” He asked angrily,
“I need a ride,” the captive rasped, his voice barely audible. “To the city.”
The driver hesitated, his eyes scanning the captive’s disheveled appearance
“Do you think I’m a fool to give you a ride? I should call the police and tell them there is a mentally deranged man who wants to get himself i killed
The
captive
froze. He couldn’t allow that to happen, Gabriel’s men were everywhere, and one wrong word could lead them straight to him.
“Sorry, I must have drank a lot, he muttered, his gaze darting nervously behind him.
The driver frowned, but before he could respond, the roar of engines filled the air.
The captive’s blood ran cold as two black SUVs appeared out of nowhere, and it was speeding toward them.
“Shit” he whispered, stumbling back from the car.
The driver seemed to sense the danger and quickly rolled up his window.
“Sorry, man. You’re on your own” He
He then stepped on
the gas, the car speeding away and leaving the captive standing alone in the middle of the
1111111 ||
it and disappeared from the main road.
The captive turned to the forest, his instincts screaming at him to run. He
The SUV screeched to a halt where he’d been moments before, and armed men spilled out, their voices echoing through the night.
one of them barked. “Search
Farra Gabriel wants him alive or dead”
The captive darted into the trees, sguring the sharp fram hes that tore at his
skin
dmself forwand, weaving thaugh the dense forest as the sound of footsteps grew closer
o weren’t far belund, then flashli
i a root, falling hard onto the ground
amping; for bovath, his body s screaming at him to give up
ang his jaw, he pushed homself up and continued, his thouglas fed on her
who could help–hlin expose Galusel and give him happiness after so many yours.
inually, the sounds of footsteps began to fade, but he didn’t dare slow down
11:53 AM CS
Chapter 149
He emerged from the forest onto a small dirt road, lus legs trembling beneath him.
In the distance, he saw a truck parked by the roadside. The truck was definitely going out of the city. Its driver stood nearby, smoking a cigarette and talking on his phone
Summoning the last of his strength, the captive approached, keeping to the shadows.
He couldn’t risk being seen by the driver, not when Gabriel’s men could be anywhere.
As the driver turned away to check something on his truck, the captive seized the opportunity.
He slipped into the back of the vehicle, hiding beneath a tarp that smelled of oil and metal.
After what felt like forever, the truck roared to life, and he felt it hurch forward.
Relief washed over him, but it was short–lived. His stomach growled loudly, a painful reminder of how weak he’d become.
He needed food, water, and rest, but those were luxuries he couldn’t afford.
All he could do now was pray that the truck would take him closer to the city, closer to Zabelle
His vision blurred as exhaustion threatened to pull him under, but he forced himself to stay awake
Gabriel’s men wouldn’t stop until they found him, and he couldn’t let that happen
Not when he was so close
As the truck rumbled down the road, he clutched the pendant around his neck–a small, rusted keepsake that once belonged to the wornan he loved
It was the only proof he had of her real heritage, and the key to unraveling Gabriel’s lies.
“I’m coming, Zabelle,” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of the
engine
No matter how weak, he was, no matter how many obstacles stood in his way, he would reach
He had to
