Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

Brielle was on edge, knowing that if Isaac's phone was going unanswered, then King must've been caught up in some trouble too. She could sense Isaac's anxiety, so she instinctively took his hand, trying to offer some comfort.

"Hey, Cricket, don't worry, okay? Someone's bound to come rescue us soon. Let's put some distance between us and them for now. With Noir here, those goons won't stand a chance at catching up. Plus, your tracker will keep King updated on our situation. Once he wraps

up his end, he'll come find us. After all, we're his world, aren't we?"

Brielle pulled Isaac close, draping an arm around Noir's neck. Noir's ears twitched, his eyes scanning the horizon vigilantly. At the slightest sound, he was ready to bolt, taking his charges to safety. Mounting Noir once more, Brielle took the lead, guiding them deeper into the wilderness.

Isaac, nestled in Brielle's embrace, could hear the steady beat of her heart. It was comforting, reminiscent of waking up from a feverish dream to find his dad sitting by the bedside. Yet, why did it have to be her?

The same woman who had once abandoned him, thrown him away without a second thought, was now showing him kindness. It didn't add up. Isaac's lashes cast long shadows over his cheeks as he mulled over her intentions. Maybe it was all an act, a ploy to win his trust before going after his dad. After all, she had openly wished for his dad's disappearance. His heart, briefly softened, hardened once more.

He couldn't afford to grow fond of this woman. He needed an opportunity to ditch her, perhaps leave her stranded deep in the mountains, where the wildlife was unforgiving. She'd be easy prey, and if his dad ever inquired, a simple "we got separated" would suffice. Isaac remained silent, his face taut with resolve. He believed this was for the best, for his dad's sake.

Meanwhile, Brielle, oblivious to his turmoil, focused solely on their escape. They couldn't afford to be caught. After a long trek, dusk began to settle. Brielle, legs trembling, helped Isaac down from Noir's back near a small stream trickling from the mountainside.

She gathered some leaves, scooping

up water for Isaac. "Here, have some water. We've been running so long, my mouth's as dry as a bone." Isaac, glimpsing up at her, leaned in to drink eagerly. Brielle watched him, her heart softening at the sight. "Hungry, Cricket? Those goons have no clue where we are. We should be safe for a bit. I'll grab us some fruit. We can't risk cooking meat; the smoke would give us away in a heartbeat."

.n

At the mention of fruit, Isaac pointed in a direction, Fruit." They knew the area well, having played here as kids. Sure enough, they found a tree laden with ripe, non-toxic fruits. After. feasting on their find, they rested briefly before venturing deeper into the untamed wilderness, where the terrain grew perilous, and the cries of wild animals echoed through the air.

Concern grew within Brielle. The North American wilderness was unforgiving. An encounter with a bear could spell disaster. She glanced at Noir, wondering if he could take on a bear. Noir, a

majestic panther, had always.el

impressed Brielle. But even his

strength had limits, and a bear could be a formidable opponent. Losing Noir would devastate Isaac; the panther was more than a pet, he was family.

Pushing through a thicket, Brielle froze. Her blood raced to her head in panic. She had feared stumbling upon a bear, but instead, they faced a band of panthers, similar to Noir but wild. A pack of ten encircled two massive boars, their feast interrupted by the newcomers'

arrival.