Episode 104 – In the Shelter of Shadows
The cabin lay silent except for the soft hum of the heater battling the evening chill. Raian sat in the corner, elbows on his knees, head lowered as the fading sunlight cut through the grime-streaked windows, casting long shadows across the wooden floor.
Aria stirred in her sleep, her head resting against the pillow Raian had carefully adjusted beneath her. The bruises along her temple had faded to a sickly yellow, but her breathing was still uneven—fragile. Raian's hand clenched into a fist. He had failed her once, and even if it killed him, he wouldn't let it happen again.
The door creaked open, and Ayan stepped inside, carrying a rusted tin kettle filled with boiling water. His shirt was smudged with dirt, his jaw tight. Lina followed behind, holding a small pack of gauze and antiseptics. She glanced at Aria and then at Raian, offering a brief nod before kneeling by the bed.
"She's stable," Lina murmured, her fingers gently checking Aria's pulse. "But we can't stay here much longer. The snow's clearing. We'll be visible."
Raian didn't speak. His gaze remained locked on Aria.
"She called your name in her sleep," Lina said softly, almost hesitant. "Twice."
Raian's throat tightened. He ran a hand over his face, his voice raw when he finally spoke. "She risked her life for me. She nearly died in that fire."
"You both almost did," Ayan said, settling into the lone chair across the room. "And if we hadn't gotten there in time—"
"We were too late," Raian cut in, the edge in his voice barely controlled. "I should've never let her go alone. I should've known..."
"You can keep blaming yourself or focus on saving her now," Ayan interrupted. "They know she's alive. And they know you're with her. Every second we stay here, the net tightens."
Raian's jaw ticked. He looked at Aria's pale face, the dried blood at her hairline, the faint tremble in her fingers even in sleep. He had promised to protect her. He couldn't break that again.
"I need to speak with Jin," Raian said finally.
Ayan stiffened. "You sure? After what happened in Seoul—"
"He's still one of us," Raian said, his voice firm. "He has access to the off-grid routes. He can get us through without triggering alerts. And Aria... she won't survive a confrontation."
Lina stood, brushing her palms against her jeans. "I'll prep the Jeep. If we leave by dawn, we might be able to pass through Sector D before the shift changes."
Raian gave a slight nod, eyes still on Aria.
As the others moved outside, the quiet settled again. Aria stirred once more, her lips parting slightly, and then, slowly, her eyes fluttered open.
She blinked against the fading light. "Raian...?"
He was at her side instantly. "I'm here."
Her eyes struggled to focus. "Where... where are we?"
"Safe for now," he whispered. "You're okay."
She tried to sit up, but pain laced her movement and she winced.
"Don't," he said, pressing her gently back. "You're hurt. Rest."
She exhaled shakily, her hand blindly reaching out. Raian took it in his, wrapping his fingers around hers.
"You came back," she whispered, voice breaking.
"I never left."
Her eyes filled with unshed tears. "I thought... I thought you would."
Raian leaned closer, brushing her hair back. "Even if the world burns, Aria—I'll always come for you."
There was silence between them, heavy and thick with emotion. Then Aria asked, voice trembling, "The others... are they okay?"
He hesitated. "We lost some. But the core team—Ayan, Lina—they're safe. Jin is out there, trying to reroute the plan."
She swallowed hard. "And Saira?"
Raian didn't answer. Aria's face tightened.
"I heard them... in the fire. Someone screamed. A girl."
Raian sighed. "She didn't make it. Ishaan barely escaped with his life."
Aria shut her eyes, guilt washing over her. "Because of me..."
"No," Raian said sharply. "Don't do that. You saved lives, Aria. You got the kids out. You distracted them. If you hadn't... more would've died."
"But she still did."
Raian looked away, his throat tight. "And we'll make sure she didn't die in vain."
A faint knock came at the door. Ayan stepped in, face grim. "Jin agreed to meet. Midnight. Coordinates are set."
Raian nodded. "We'll leave in thirty."
As Aria shifted to sit upright again, Raian moved to help her, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders. "Are you sure you can travel?"
She gave a faint nod. "I'm not staying behind."
"Didn't think you would," he murmured, his lips brushing her temple for just a second.
Outside, the night had fallen heavy and cold. Lina checked the Jeep's tires while Ayan loaded their weapons. Aria settled into the backseat, her body weak but her spirit sharper than ever.
As the engine rumbled to life and they began moving through the dense forest, Raian's mind worked in overdrive. The betrayal at the Seoul base, the fire, the lost allies—it was all catching up to them now.
But something else haunted him more deeply.
Jin's silence during the explosion. His refusal to answer the comms. And now, his sudden willingness to help.
Raian didn't trust it. But for Aria's safety, he would take the risk.
As the Jeep cut through the icy roads and the moonlight filtered through the cracked windshield, Aria leaned slightly toward him.
"What if Jin is compromised?" she asked quietly.
Raian didn't look away from the road. "Then we do what we always do."
"Fight?"
"No," he said, voice low. "Survive."
Hours later, they arrived at the edge of an abandoned rail yard. The place was eerily quiet, cloaked in fog and shadows. Raian stepped out first, followed by Ayan and Lina with weapons drawn. Aria, despite her injuries, stayed close.
A flicker of movement emerged from the shadows.
Jin.
Tall, calm, unreadable.
His eyes scanned them, resting briefly on Aria before shifting to Raian. "You look like hell."
Raian didn't flinch. "You've seen worse."
Jin smirked faintly. "Fair."
They stood in silence, tension thick.
"Can you get us out?" Raian asked finally.
Jin nodded. "Yes. But there's a catch."
"Of course there is."
"You'll need to split. Two routes. Aria and one escort through the tunnels. The rest up top. If we all go one way, it'll trigger surveillance."
"No," Raian snapped. "We stay together."
Aria touched his arm. "Raian... if it's safer—"
"I said no."
Jin's expression didn't change. "You want her safe? Then trust me. This is the only way."
Raian stared at him, jaw locked.
Ayan stepped forward. "We'll go with her."
"No," Raian said again.
Aria spoke up, this time more firmly. "Raian. We've survived worse. I can do this."
He looked at her, his heart screaming in protest, but her eyes were steady.
Finally, he nodded.
"Fine. But the moment anything goes wrong, I'm burning the tunnels down."
Jin gave a dry chuckle. "As dramatic as always."
Raian stepped closer to Aria. "Be careful. Stay hidden. Keep your comm on."
She gave him a faint smile. "See you on the other side."
As they moved into the darkness, splitting for the first time in days, Raian's chest felt hollow.
He had let her go once. He wouldn't lose her again.
Whatever waited in the shadows ahead—he'd destroy it all for her.
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