The moonlight barely broke through the dense forest canopy as Caleb followed Evelyn east, their footsteps crunching softly against the underbrush. His lungs burned, his legs ached, but he kept moving, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds.

“You sure splitting up was a good idea?” Caleb asked, his voice low.

“We didn’t have a choice,” Evelyn replied sharply.

“Right, because when things get tough, scattering into the dark is always a great survival strategy,” Caleb muttered.

Evelyn shot him a glare, her green eyes glinting in the faint light. “We didn’t scatter. We created a distraction.”

“Distraction or not,” Caleb said, his grip tightening on his gun, “how do you know Carter’s going to make it?”

Evelyn didn’t answer immediately. She moved quickly, her knife in hand, her posture tense but controlled. “Because he always does.”

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They reached a narrow stream, the water glinting faintly in the moonlight. Evelyn crouched down, brushing her fingers against the damp earth. Caleb watched her carefully, his instincts kicking in.

“He’s heading this way,” Evelyn said finally, straightening.

Caleb frowned. “Carter? How do you know?”

“His tracks,” Evelyn replied, nodding toward a faint set of footprints near the stream’s edge. “He doubled back.”

“And if it’s not him?” Caleb asked.

Evelyn’s grip on her knife tightened. “Then we’ll deal with it.”

Caleb sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Fantastic. Nothing like a midnight reunion in the middle of nowhere.”

It didn’t take long before they spotted movement in the distance. Caleb raised his gun, his flashlight flickering toward the source.

“Relax,” a voice called from the shadows. “It’s just me.”

Carter stepped into view, his jacket muddy and torn, but his smirk firmly in place.

“Told you I’d catch up,” Carter said, brushing a stray leaf off his shoulder.

“You’re late,” Evelyn said coldly.

Carter raised an eyebrow. “Nice to see you too.”

Caleb lowered his gun, but his suspicion lingered. “You lead anyone here?”

Carter chuckled softly. “Relax, Detective. I covered my tracks. No one followed me.”

Evelyn’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t respond. Caleb noticed the way her gaze lingered on Carter, her sharp green eyes searching for something unspoken.

“Well,” Carter said, glancing between them. “Now that we’re all reunited, how about we get the hell out of this forest?”