"Stan, we're at the last fork in the tunnels," Sam said, glancing over her shoulder as the slight scuff of a boot was heard in the tunnel's darkness. So far, they had been fortunate not to run into any of the Tenderhook men, but it didn't mean they weren't out there, "did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Amy asked, following Sam's gaze.
"Don't hear a thing," Stan said, the words coming too quickly, "this stretch will bring us out into the forest ... if I remember correctly, what's after the tunnels?"
Huddling around the map following the tunnels, they went through the following few stretches toward a mountain range. Sam felt uneasy. She knew they were being followed stealthily, but there were at least three in the trailing group. Instinct was telling her to expose whatever plot Stan was in place, but that would show she was not the team player she was trying to be.
"We're here and should be coming out here," Stan said, ignoring the pointed stare Sam gave him, "once we're out of the tunnels, we'll have to keep to the undergrowth."
"Where exactly are we heading?" Amy asked, meeting Sam's steady gaze.
"Montaña do saber," Sam said, "I'm sure Stan will show its location on the map. Let's move ... we're running out of time. Keep this; I know my way," Sam said, pushing the map against Stan's chest; not waiting for a response, she entered the tunnel.
"You think she knows?" Amy asked.
"Knows what?" Stan asked, frowning.
"About ...." Amy hesitated, shaking her head, "doesn't matter."
"Amy, what doesn't matter?" Stan asked.
"Well," she smiled shyly at him, "us ... do you think she knows about us?"
"Us? Um ... Amy, I didn't know there was an ... us," Stan said, "I'm sorry if I gave that impression. That doesn't mean it may not happen, but we must keep you safe so you can testify against the Tenderhook brothers."
"Oh ... no problem," Amy said, glancing away as her cheeks stained red, "just know that I think you're amazing."
"Thanks," Stan said, shifting uncomfortably, "what do you think has upset her?"
"I don't know," Amy said, "did you do something?"
Stan frowned, "Can't think of anything?"
"Maybe it's something you didn't do," Amy said, shrugging as she moved into the last tunnel before they stepped into the world.
Steve sighed, "Yeah, I know exactly what I didn't do."
Folding the maps and pushing them into the pocket of his cargo pants, he followed the women into the tunnel. How did he miss the sign coming from Amy? Shaking his head, he resolved to finish the assignment as bizarre as it was becoming and close the case that had haunted him for the past few years.
Chilled air ran along her arms as the light leading the way bounced around the darkness of the rock walls. Angry raced through her. How could she still want to be part of a team with someone who held things from her? Although it reminded her of how she behaved, she at least hadn't known any other way of working than on her own. Steve didn't have that excuse.
"Sam, wait," she heard Stan calling as she strode ahead, forcing him to jog to catch up, "are you okay?"
"Fine," she said, "just want to get to the destination and deliver Amy to those who will protect her until she testifies."
"Okay, just checking," Stan said, "you're in a hurry."
"Time is not on our side," Sam said, "you should know that."
"I didn't but thank you for telling me," Stan said, "Amy, are you doing alright there?"
"Sure," Amy said, panting softly as she kept up with them, "the pace is a little fast, but I can understand why. We have to get to that place Sam told me about."
"Right, now everyone is caught up," Sam said, easing her pace as a pinprick of light came into view. "Either that is where we are leaving the tunnel system, or someone else is coming this way."
"What do we do?" Amy asked.
"We keep going until we know the answer," Sam said, "let's go."
Amy and Steve glanced at each other before following Sam, the trio made good time, and the light became more prominent as they approached it.
Sam sighed as she stepped into the fresh heat of the forest. Looking around, she took in the tall trees, the light filtering through the leaves and hitting the undergrowth. This area was known to her. It wasn't far from the main path Cherry and her parents used to take while they stayed at the cabin. She wasn't lying when she said she no longer needed the map. All she needed was direction. Stan and Amy stepped out into the light. Sam found the tree she was looking for and ran toward the trunk. Propelling herself off the thick root at the bottom, bounced off the wide treetrunk before catching onto the branch with both hands and swinging herself into the tree. Getting her feet underneath her, she pushed off quickly, moving through the branches toward the top. Finally, getting to a space where she could see above the canopy of trees. Breathing in the crisp air, Sam smiled. She would take a moment, clear her head get her direction before returning to the ground.
"Wow," Amy murmured, watching Sam disappear into the tree branches, "can you climb a tree like that?"
Stan stared at the disappearing figure, "No, I don't think there are many who can."
"That's where you're wrong," a husky masculine voice said, "there are more than you think."
Turning, Amy gasped, easing behind Steve, who took in the three men, "I thought you were going to stay out of sight."
"That was what you asked us to do," another man said, "but she knows we're here. We've decided to end the pretence and reveal ourselves."
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"That was not part of the plan," Steve said, frowning, "if Tenderhooks men see you with us, it's over."
"It's been over for us for almost forty-eight hours," the third man said, "our location hasn't been leaked ... yet."
"You didn't tell Sam about these guys," Amy said, frowning at Stan, "so it was something you didn't do ... and she knew."
"She has from the time you left the cave ..." the hoarse words stopped as the three looked up and raised their gloved hands to their shoulders.
Turning, Stan took in Sam perched on a thick branch, glaring and aiming her weapon at the three men,
"They are friends," Stan said, walking toward Sam but stopped as the gun moved in his direction, "let me explain?"
"Names," Sam said, looking at the three men, "now."
"Adderly," one said, looking at the next in line.
"Johnson," he said, nudging the third.
"Davidson," he said hoarsely, "nice to see you again."
"Who sent you?" Sam asked, her gaze not leaving them.
"Greyson," they said in unison,
"He sent us to assist after a phone call to someone named Carl," Davidson said, "we were to follow but make ourselves known to you should you spot us."
"Why didn't you?" Sam asked.
The three men looked at Stan, their silence telling of the intervention.
"I can explain," Stan said, "I decided not to tell you now, but if we needed assistance, they were there."
Sam narrowed her gaze on him before looking at Amy, who shook her head.
"I didn't know until they came out of the tunnel," Amy said, glancing between the three men and Stan, "I don't blame you for being upset."
Sam relaxed her aim, lowering her gun, "Upset?" she muttered.
"Ah, she's not upset," Johnson said, "angry? Yes. Not upset."
The others nodded while lowering their hands, watching Sam drop from the tree branch and walk toward them, gripping her gun loosely.
"We're following orders to assist where needed," Adderly said, following her progress while focusing on her weapon, "we were part of the Tenderhook tracking team but no longer."
"How long since you went dark?" Sam asked.
"They said ..." Stan said
"I didn't ask you," Sam interrupted, glaring at him, "I asked them."
Nodding, Stan turned away, pacing between the small group and the tunnel entrance.
"Nearly forty-eight hours," Adderly said.
"Did they supply the gear as well?" Sam asked.
"No, the gear and weapons are ours," Johnson said.
"Did anyone from Tenderhook's long list of people touch anything you have with you?" Sam asked.
The trio looked at each other and themselves before shaking their heads.
"Good," Sam smiled, "Amy needs to get to Carl and Stan ..." she shook her head. "I'm guessing Stan needs to get a report on the case he has been investigating has been a huge manipulation. Can you make sure they are delivered?"
"We're here to assist you getting to your destination," Adderley said. "We know you are more than capable of accomplishing anything, but even Superman had help once in a while."
Sam looked among the determined men. She recognised them from the institute where she trained.
"Fair enough. Once you've delivered the civilians, feel free to find me," Sam said, "should I need assistance, I shall accept it happily."
"Copy that," the three men responded in unison.
"You're ditching us?" Stan said, striding toward her, "going off half-cocked again."
Sam's cold stare rose to his, "I'm not ditching you," she said, her voice even, reserved, controlled. "I'm leaving you with the best protection you could want and, if I'm not mistaken, a ride to a protected area where you can do what you need to regarding the case you've been working. You get to do your report, and Amy gets to someplace safe. My mission where you are concerned is accomplished."
"Then where are you going?" Amy asked.
"To fulfil a promise to a friend who will need me before long," Sam said, "besides Stan has the maps. If you need to walk anywhere, he'll have the means."
"Why are you doing this?" Stan asked, anger rippling through his words.
"What I'm doing has reasons," Sam said, "reasons you will never understand. Where I'm going and doing is not related to the mission you and I went on. Nor does it have to do with the extraction of the people we were led to be Cherry's parents," Sam said, "I'll inform my handler you're coming in."
Walking toward the three men, Sam holstered her weapon, "It's your job ...." she paused, her eyes suddenly scanning the area, "we have company. Get them out of here ...now. That is an order."
The trio looked between themselves before looking at Sam, "Adderly and Johnson will take them to safety," Davidson said, "I'm with you."
Sam glared at him, "You may not be welcome where I'm going."
"I have my orders," Davidson growled, "now ... we can stand here arguing and get mowed down or move out and discuss the matter as we go."
Sam froze as a shout from the trees above them was heard, "Agreed."
Pulling a fighting star from her belt, she threw it into the trees, not waiting to see if her aim was true. Adderly and Johnson escorted Amy and Stan into the undergrowth while Davidson and Sam brought up the rear. A commotion from the area the scout was heard gave them an expectation of where the attack would come from.
The group moved quickly in the direction Sam had indicated. Sending off an emergency text, Sam picked up the pace. The distance between their pursuers and themselves was what they needed. The evacuation point had to be reached by nightfall for the safe transportation of Stan and Amy,
"Do we have a heading?" Davidson asked.
"Evac is at these coordinates," Sam said, glancing at him, "want me to send them to you?"
"Affirmative," Davidson nodded.
Sam worked quickly, sliding the device onto her utility belt and nodding at Davidson. Glancing at Stan, she sighed; sending them out of this place was best for them. She was about to embark on something she was designed to do. The outcome for her would be a success. For them, it may be their death, and nothing was acceptable about anyone dying.
"Another twenty minutes," Davidson whispered, "we should be able to secure the place and let them know an evac is an option."
"Copy that," Sam whispered, scanning the area, "they are not cut out for what I'm going up against."
"How do you know?" Davidson asked.
"They are not designed as I am," she whispered, "the people who will be waiting are monsters with no natural line between right and wrong. To them, Stan and Amy will be toys to play with. I cannot allow that."
"You've seen more than we have," Davidson said, "I'll take your word for it."
"Whatever the Tenderhooks said is structured to manipulate. The goal is to get the person doing what they want, how they want and wherever it deed is to be done," Sam said, "it doesn't matter what they promise. They only deliver death."
"A bullet is the only reward," Davidson murmured, glancing at Sam, "something Greyson said on the phone. I thought he was kidding."
Sam shook her head, "He is correct."
"We have a tail," Adderly said, joining them, "do we engage?"
"Gunfire will bring reinforcements," Davidson said, "hide the civilians, and we'll set up to take them out."
"How long before they are on us?" Sam asked, checking her weapons.
"Twenty minutes," Adderly said, "where do we engage?"
"There is an opening a few minutes ahead," Sam said, "they may be driving us into an ambush. Take Stan and Amy on that path. It'll curve around the area to the left. Davidson and I will take a right, and should anyone be waiting for us, secure the area quietly. Those pushing us this way can be dealt with in the same area."
Nodding, Adderly joined the three ahead of them, quickly giving the news and altered direction. Stan's eyes snapped to Sam's, shaking his head angrily. Silently she pointed to the left, glancing at Amy and back at Stan. Hopefully, he would get the message.