Riley and Lara moved swiftly through the sanctuary, the path leading them down to an underground garage where an old black car waited. The engine started with a soft hum, and Riley could feel the tension mounting in the air. This wasn't just about getting to a safe place anymore—it was about preparing for the storm that was about to hit.
Riley climbed into the car, her fingers gripping the seat beneath her. The world outside was dark, the streets eerily quiet as they passed through the gates of the sanctuary. But it wasn't just the silence that unnerved her. It was the knowledge that Zayden was still out there, still fighting to survive.
Lara glanced at her as she drove. "We'll find him, Riley. I promise."
Riley swallowed the lump in her throat. She didn't know if she believed that promise, but she had no choice but to trust it.
They drove through the night, the city slipping by in shadows. The only sounds were the soft purr of the engine and the occasional whisper of the wind against the car. Riley closed her eyes for a moment, letting the hum of the engine lull her into a state of uneasy peace.
But even as her body grew tired, her mind never stopped. The uncertainty was a constant presence, gnawing at her insides. Would she ever see Zayden again?