The night air was thick with tension as Anifah, Ammar, and Hana moved swiftly through the dense forest, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth beneath them. The school was far behind them now, but the fear of being followed still clung to Anifah like a second skin.

  Hana led the way, her movements precise and purposeful. She navigated the dark woods like she had walked them a thousand times before.

  “Where exactly are we going?” Anifah whispered, their breath still uneven from the chase.

  “A safe house,” Hana replied. “Or at least, what used to be one.”

  Ammar shot her a skeptical look. “Used to be?”

  Hana smirked but didn’t slow down. “It’s been abandoned for a while, but I know the layout. If we need a place to regroup, it’s our best bet.”

  Anifah glanced over their shoulder, half-expecting to see Damon’s men emerging from the trees. But so far, they were alone. Or at least, it seemed that way.

  “How do you even know about this place?” Anifah asked.

  Hana hesitated. “Because I helped set it up. Back when I was still part of The Circle.”

  Ammar tensed. “And you think it’s still safe?”

  “I don’t think,” Hana said. “I know. If we keep moving, we’ll be there within the hour.”

  ---

  The Hidden Refuge

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  True to her word, an hour later, they arrived at a rundown cabin nestled deep in the woods. The structure was barely visible beneath layers of ivy and overgrown branches.

  Hana reached into her jacket, pulling out a small key. She approached the door, inserted the key into the rusted lock, and twisted. With a groan of protest, the door creaked open.

  “Welcome home,” she muttered, stepping inside.

  Anifah hesitated before following, scanning the dark interior. Dust coated every surface, and faint moonlight filtered through cracks in the boarded-up windows. A musty scent lingered in the air.

  “It’s... cozy,” Anifah said, forcing a weak smile.

  Hana snorted. “It’s a dump. But it’s safe.”

  Ammar shut the door behind them, double-checking the locks. “For now.”

  Hana crossed the room, pulling back a tattered rug to reveal a metal hatch. She yanked it open, revealing a dimly lit underground space.

  “Come on,” she said, gesturing for them to follow.

  Anifah’s stomach twisted with uncertainty. “You want us to go down there?”

  “Unless you want Damon’s men to find us,” Hana replied.

  That was enough to make up Anifah’s mind. Taking a deep breath, they climbed down the ladder, Ammar following closely behind.

  ---

  Secrets Beneath the Surface

  The underground room was surprisingly well-kept compared to the cabin above. Old maps and papers littered a wooden table, and a few crates lined the walls. A single lantern flickered in the corner, casting long shadows.

  Ammar picked up one of the papers, scanning it with a frown. “These are blueprints.”

  “For what?” Anifah asked, stepping closer.

  Hana leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “The Circle’s main headquarters.”

  Anifah’s breath hitched. “You’ve had these this whole time?”

  Hana shrugged. “I planned to burn it all, but something told me I’d need them one day.”

  Ammar narrowed his eyes. “And now?”

  “Now, I think we have a chance to take them down,” Hana said, her expression unreadable. “But we need a plan. A real one.”

  Anifah looked between them, the weight of their situation sinking in. They had gone from uncovering secrets to being hunted. And now, they were talking about fighting back.

  “Are we really doing this?” Anifah whispered.

  Hana’s gaze hardened. “We don’t have a choice.”

  --

  This chapter introduces a safe house, but also a major revelation—Hana has been holding onto crucial information about The Circle. Now the question is: do they use it to fight back, or will they be forced to run again?