Page 166 of Scars of Trust

Every step feels heavier.

Slower.

Time bleeding out around us second by second.

“Clay,” Lucas crackles through comms. “Status?”

“Moving.”

“You sound terrible.”

“Appreciate the support.”

A shadow appears at the far end of the hallway.

I fire immediately.

The hostile drops hard against the wall.

But more movement flickers behind him.

Always more.

I grit my teeth and keep pushing forward.

“Hold on,” I mutter.

To them.

To myself.

To everyone trying to survive this nightmare.

Because right now, that’s all we’ve got left.

36

Russ

The light above surgery turns yellow.

For one disoriented second, I just stare at it.

Then movement explodes behind the glass.

Doctors rushing.

Voices rising.

Sharp.

Urgent.

Cold dread crashes straight through me.

“That’s not good,” Miles mutters quietly.

No.