Sam and Stan moved quickly through the forest using the satellite link. Finally, Amy called for a stop.

"I know you two are super fit," she panted, "but I'm not closer to being a marathon runner. I used to be super fit but obviously, whoever they installed was not big on staying fit."

"Actually, she was the opposite," Stan said, grinning, "not interested in helping with anything, only sitting on a rock and bemoaning her fate."

"What fate?" Amy asked.

"No idea," Sam said, looking around as she waited for the satellite link to refresh. "Whatever she thought it was at the moment, she was a ... drama queen when it suited her and a cold-blooded killer any other time."

"I'm not sure if I should say that's rude or ask what her problem was," Amy said, shaking her head.

The rumble of an engine came to their ears, and Sam ducked as lights scanned over the dense part of the forest they were working through. Silently she waved for the others to lower themselves to the ground and remain silent. The lights passed and continued up the path in the direction they were moving. Sam consulted the refreshed link and swore softly. They were being pushed into an area they didn't want to take.

"What is it?" Stan whispered, looking at the screen, "we only have one choice."

"Do we? If we continue the way we're going, there is a chance of getting caught. However, we may still make it through," Sam whispered, grasping Amy's shoulder as she shook her head vehemently.

"I can't... no way ... not going back," Amy spluttered, gripping Sam's hand and gasping as sudden panic coursed through her body and expression.

"Amy, look at me," Sam said, waiting until the woman looked at her, "we're going to be okay. We will not let anyone take you back to the Tenderhooks, but Stan is correct. Our path is changing if we are making it to the destination. We're going to have to take a little rougher path." Sam glanced at Stan, hoping he grasped her meaning and smiled when he nodded, "can you do it?"

Amy nodded, "I'll walk through walls if that will get me away from ... them."

"Since they have vehicles and are probably on foot as well, we need to move out that way," Sam said, pointing to a path across the way from where they hid, "Amy, are you sure you can make it?"

"I'll make it," she said, determination in her voice, "or I'll die trying."

"You cannot die," Sam said, "we need you to testify against the Tenderhook brothers."

"I'll testify, one way or another," Amy said, "now, let's move out. The day isn't getting any younger."

Sam grinned, surprised at Amy's sassiness and moved to the edge of their hiding place, "Ready?"

She felt a tap on each shoulder, and together, the trio moved to the other side of the road, heading into a thick forest and a short but more dangerous route.

"She made it across," Greyson said, nodding in approval, "tougher than she looks."

"Yes, she is, sir," the driver said, watching Greyson pull out his secure phone, "but they will need help before too long. Enemy forces have been dispatched and are heading in their direction."

"Noted," Greyson said, "I'll see what miracle we can pull out the bag for her. Find three adjustable, creative thinkers who could work with her."

The driver turned to stare at him, "YOu know that is nearly impossible."

"Do your best," Greyson grinned, "I have a call to make."

Punching in an old number and connecting with an old friend Greyson grinned at the terse greeting.

"Carl, good to hear your voice. Yeah," he smiled, "it has been a long time, but I'm nearly certain you didn't want to hear from me," pausing as he listened, "I'm making contact because I found your girl. No, I'm not taking her in ... orders don't sit right, and I've seen too much to believe they mean well. In fact, I wanted to let you know we have decided to be her protection detail. We know what we're up against, and we'll try not to get shot."

Greyson glanced over his shoulder as three men clambered in. Giving silent hand orders to them before indicating the vehicle to move forward, "I thought I'd let you know we're clearing a path for her as well. She's heading to the mountain. No, not the holiday home ... the mountain. Yeah, the piece of land we have battled for years to get out of their family's control."

Stolen story; please report.

The truck rumbled forward, slowly taking the path that would coincide with where the trio should arrive. Pausing at the place they were last seen, Greyson pointed at the three men and then the direction the group had disappeared, "Protect them against the Tenderhooks."

They disappeared into the forest, silently melting in with the greens and browns. Greyson trusted they would follow orders and waved for the convoy to move forward.

"I'm here," he said, "of course, I'm sure they were heading toward the cabin, but I think we spooked them. Sam has made a change and is heading directly to the mountain. If they can keep this pace and have no injuries, they'll be there within twenty-four hours," he paused, "I'll do my best to keep everyone alive. It looks like they have secured an asset, so there may be evidence for you after all," Greyson laughed, "Carl, I know you ... you always want hard evidence. I think this time you'll get it."

Sam stopped straightening and looking around, "Did you hear that?"

The forest thrummed with a breeze playing through the leaves, dropping to nothing. An almost imperceptible click of a gun's chamber being filled came to their ears. Two pairs of eyes scanned the horizon, but they could see nothing.

"Guys," Amy whispered, looking up into the trees.

Sam's heart spluttered as she took the three heavily armed men with Tenderhook insignia above them in the trees.

"Run," she hissed, pulling Amy to her feet and pushing her in front of Stan and herself. Pulling out her weapon, she made ready to fire, facing them and aiming but instead of firing at the fleeing trio, they began firing into the forest ahead of them. Sam spun toward the fleeing pair, gasping as her mind clicked into automatic defence. Running toward them, she heard Amy whimpering.

"Are we going to die?" Amy asked as Sam spun her away from the line of fire, landing her between Sam and Stan. Sam narrowed her eyes, scanning the area before pulling out a second weapon and aiming toward the left.

"On the right," Sam shouted as she opened fire. Flinging a knife into pitch darkness, a cold smile reached her lips at the sound of a gurgling groan. The attacker sagged to the ground, dropping his rifle in front of her. Scooping it up with her foot, she slung it onto her shoulder, checking if Stan and Amy were unharmed. Stan knelt over a trembling Amy, reloading his weapon, protecting Amy as best he could. Shadows were moving toward them. Aiming the acquired weapon their way, she called for both to hit the ground. Opening fire in a circle, she counted to ten before coming full circle and stopping.

"Move," she shouted, guarding them as Stan pulled Amy to her feet and pushed her in front of him down the path. Sam fired into the darkness, hitting targets with a concerning aim. Looking up into the trees, she watched their guardian angels move with them. Whoever they were, it would help her if they always had their back. There was too much coming their way if she had to watch their pathway and the sky.

Following Amy and Stan through the undergrowth, she flashed a look at the satellite link frowning at a note above the screen.

"To the left," she called, trusting Stan to follow the path correctly, "boss, where are you leading us?"

Following the path left, the trio broke into a small clearing shaped like a half-moon around a cave entrance.

"I'm beginning to think every place we head involves a cave," Stan said, panting, "I'm nearly out of ammo. How about you?"

Sam lifted the two machine guns to shoulder height, "They were helpful but are empty now." Taking them from her shoulders, she threw them into the thick undergrowth and pulled her weapon from the holster, checking the magazine. "One and a half clips left," she sighed, "according to the sat link and the notes from my handler, this is the way we need to go ... I'm guessing the alternate route would be to have a bullet in our heads."

"Where are we heading?" Amy asked.

"Ever heard of Casa de montaña do coñecemento?" Sam asked.

Stan frowned, "Isn't that the place all those tourists and campers disappeared?"

"That's the place," Sam said, nodding, "it appears we're heading there."

"Why?' Amy asked, "aren't those maniacs heading there as well."

"They're trying to stop us from getting there," Sam said, "looking at this, it would seem that going through this cave and tunnel system will get us closer to the goal without too much in our way."

"This is the part where we're doing it by the seat of our pants," Stan said, anger running from his words and a hot glare spearing Sam to the core, "again, no plan. Just go."

"It's already getting dark, and we'll need to make a camp for tonight," Sam said, "I'm not sure about you, but I'd like to sit and eat for a change. Amy would probably like to sleep."

"Oh yes," Amy nodded, "just for a few hours."

"Stan," Sam met his smouldering eyes, "once we're set for the night, we can discuss a plan ... I promise."

Stan stared at her blankly before blinking, sighing and muttering, "Whatever," turning and heading into the cave.

"He's angry with you," Amy whispered, "what did you do?"

"Tried to do everything on my own," Sam said, sighing, "the way I've always done it."

"Not good, you've got a lot to make up for," Amy said, "that is a good man right there."

Sam grinned at the words nodding her head as they resonated with everything she had been fighting. Stan was a good man and deserved to have a say in the plan. He had followed her lead even in the heat of the battles they waged. Following them inside, Sam pulled her flashlight and flicked it on. Time to hunker down for a few hours.

In the trees high above, a quiet voice spoke into a secure phone, "Sir, we located and secured the refugees. They will be safe tonight, and we will follow them tomorrow morning. Hostiles were engaged, but not much assistance was required. She is as skilled as you said."

The man swung down from the branch he was perched on and hit the ground noiselessly, "We will keep you informed and protect them to the best of our ability. Yes, Sir, that is their destination. We'll see you on the other side."