Chapter 18 - hollow trees
We moved through the dense pine forest in complete darkness, the wet branches whipping against our faces as we navigated the slippery, muddy incline. Ethan carried Lily wrapped inside his heavy wool coat, while I guided Nora over the treacherous exposed tree roots.
Behind us, the distant shouting of Richard's men echoed through the trees, accompanied by the high-pitched yapping of a tracking hound.
"They brought dogs," Nora whispered in panic, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.
"The river is two hundred yards ahead," Ethan said, his voice steady despite the dark stain of blood spreading across his left sleeve. "The water will wash out our scent."
We reached the bank of the river, where the fast-moving, black water roared over smooth granite boulders. A narrow wooden footbridge spanned the fifty-foot gap toward the opposite shore, its timber handrails slick with rain.
Ethan ushered Nora and Lily across first. As Nora stepped onto the wooden planks, a flashlight beam suddenly pierced the dark woods behind us, illuminating Ethan's wet coat in brilliant white light.
"Stop right there, Ethan!" Uncle Richard's voice boomed from thirty yards away.
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Richard stepped out from behind a large pine tree, holding a heavy pistol pointed directly at my brother's chest. Two armed guards flanked him, their weapons raised and ready.
"It's over, boys," Richard said, breathing heavily from the climb. "Give me the drive, and we can settle this like gentlemen."
