Shadowing 365 words 326-350
Written By Jahaziel Castañeda
he-steps-into-the-hallway
she-makes-a-sharp-turn
he-stops-when-the-glow-shifts
the-pattern-pulses-softly-guiding-them
she-is-not-afraid-just-tense
he-searches-the-shadows-for-the-answer
the-photos-lie-intact-on-the-floor
he-lifts-the-photos-carefully
a-fragment-of-childhood-stares-back-at-him
she-watched-him-study-each-image
his-hands-begin-to-shake
a-quiet-anger-rises-in-him
the-panel-flickers-once-then-goes-dark
the-mechanism-stays-locked
he-hits-the-side-of-the-console
a-sharp-pain-shoots-up-his-arm
she-leans-over-him-searching-the-edges
he-needs-the-system-to-wake-up-even-for-a-second
she-walks-through-the-long-corridor-searching-for-him
the-door-feels-heavy-when-she-tries-to-open-it
the-metal-is-warm-as-if-someone-touched-it-moments-ago
she-rests-her-forehead-on-the-cold-surface-trying-to-stay-calm
she-touches-the-wall-feeling-the-faint-warmth
the-surface-vibrates-softly-beneath-her-hand
the-enemy-watches-them-from-somewhere-they-cannot-see
silence-fills-the-room-after-the-speaker-shuts-off
the-pulse-returns-rippling-through-the-floor
she-continues-forward-each-step-deliberate
the-space-between-them-feels-stretched-apart
the-figure-steps-once-slow-and-controlled
a-bright-glow-spreads-across-the-room-steady-and-sharp
the-lights-flicker-softly-above-him
the-center-of-the-room-feels-strangely-empty-as-he-steps-inside
a-shadow-moves-behind-the-wall
a-figure-waits-in-the-center-of-the-room-barely-moving
they-stand-separated-by-inches-and-by-design
crack-appears-on-the-surface-for-a-second-then-fades
the-edges-stay-firm-when-they-push-against-them
his-fist-hits-the-glass-but-it-does-not-leave-a-mark
the-glass-reflects-their-faces-as-they-run-toward-it
she-kicks-the-lower-panel-no-give-no-sound
a-sudden-noise-makes-him-break-his-focus
the-screen-flickers-when-the-signal-drops
the-door-opens-before-he-even-touches-it
her-jaw-tightens-when-the-noise-hits-the-room
she-stays-confident-even-when-the-room-grows-tense
he-tenses-the-moment-she-steps-away-from-him
he-stands-in-the-doorway-blocking-the-exit-without-a-word
he-turns-without-saying-a-word
she-moves-closer-trying-to-see-his-face
he-ignores-the-warning-and-keeps-walking
he-starts-to-suffer-quietly
she-smiles-certain-at-last
she-knows-exactly-what-she-will-choose
he-lifts-the-bag-with-one-quick-move
she-walks-proudly-after-the-long-fight
he-presses-the-switch-without-hesitation
she-hits-the-button-before-he-can-stop-her
the-enemy-waits-in-the-dark-corner
he-tries-to-understand-what-she-means
a-sharp-hiss-escapes-from-the-vents-above-them
he-smells-gas-and-quickly-opens-the-window
the-vents-open-wider-with-a-soft-mechanical-sound
a-pale-light-pours-through-the-cracks-in-the-ceiling
a-thin-cut-starts-to-bleed-slowly-down-his-hand
the-small-device-spins-once-before-stopping-again
he-runs-across-the-room-without-thinking
she-rips-the-panel-open-in-one-move
a-spark-jumps-when-the-cable-slips
Anya-presses-her-hand-against-the-glass
he-collapses-to-his-knees
the-last-bit-of-light-disappears-into-the-rising-cloud
another-door-stays-open-behind-them
they-move-toward-each-other-without-slowing-down
thomas-stumbles-but-keeps-going
anya-catches-him-before-he-falls
the-room-stays-quiet-for-a-moment
they-meet-again-at-the-edge-of-the-ridge
he-helps-thomas-walk-down-the-hallway
fresh-air-flows-in-from-the-hatch
the-fresh-smell-makes-thomas-breathe-easier
ahead-a-narrow-path-curves-along-the-ridge
they-climb-through-the-opening-without-stopping
a-dark-tunnel-keeps-leading-them-upward
they-finally-reach-the-surface-after-the-long-climb
a-cold-wind-moves-across-the-open-field
snow-is-falling-softly-covering-everything-in-white
her-eyes-narrow-as-she-tries-to-see-the-shapes-ahead
a-distant-voice-whispers-follow-us-carried-by-the-wind
they-stop-at-the-edge-of-a-wide-silent-plain
they-reach-the-slope-and-stop-to-look-at-it
the-wind-pushes-against-them-as-they-move
snow-blows-into-their-faces-the-moment-they-step-forward
his-foot-slips-when-he-steps-on-the-ice
anya-grabs-his-arm-to-steady-him
the-world-stays-frozen-briefly
a-deep-rumble-shakes-the-ground-as-they-move
the-avalanche-roars-behind-them-with-growing-force
anya-pulls-him-up-before-he-falls-again
his-body-shakes-from-cold-and-fear
he-has-to-dive-fast-when-the-rocks-start-falling
they-breathe-hard-under-the-frozen-sky-alive
they-stay-under-the-rock-until-everything-stops
thomas-leans-back-and-tries-to-breathe-normally
anya-checks-the-sky-to-make-sure-it-is-clear
she-places-a-hand-on-his-shoulder-to-steady-him
he-closes-his-eyes-just-to-rest
for-a-moment-she-holds-him-upright
she-slows-her-pace-after-a-few-steps
his-face-looks-pale-in-the-dim-light
anya-asks-if-he-can-keep-moving
he-admits-he-is-not-fine-after-all
she-touches-his-forehead-to-check-his-temperature
when-his-eyes-open-she-whispers-that-she-is-here
they-find-a-small-space-under-the-fallen-tree-and-settle-there
thomas-lies-on-the-ground-still-shivering
anya-covers-him-with-her-jacket-to-keep-him-warm
she-stays-watching-the-forest-in-case-something-moves
she-looks-down-into-the-pale-blue-depth
she-keeps-listening-for-any-sound-that-might-be-a-threat
they-reach-the-lake-and-pause-before-stepping-forward
the-lake-looks-still-as-they-move-toward-it
thomas-steps-onto-the-ice-with-careful-footing
the-ice-cracks-softly-under-their-weight
the-surface-holds-as-they-continue-across
the-space-between-them-feels-wide-and-fragile
a-wolf-appears-between-the-trees-without-making-a-sound
thomas-freezes-when-he-sees-the-animal-again
a-low-growl-rises-from-the-dark-hallway
it-turns-away-and-walks-back-into-the-snow
the-wolf-watches-them-from-the-hill-in-silence
then-it-disappears-into-the-forest-without-a-sound
they-reach-a-small-cabin-near-the-river
the-trees-move-gently-with-the-wind
thomas-sits-on-the-step-and-waits-in-silence
anya-starts-a-small-fire
papers-fall-to-the-floor-at-his-feet
he-tries-to-relax-breathing-slowly
the-drawer-is-empty-except-for-dust
he-spreads-the-documents-on-the-table-to-look-at-them
he-studies-the-photos-trying-to-understand-what-they-mean
he-finds-another-note-under-it
she-holds-the-paper-carefully
then-she-turns-it-to-check-the-back
his-eyes-widen-when-he-reads-the-line
he-turns-the-page-slowly
something-in-the-dark-begins-to-shift
her-face-changes-as-she-understands
he-knows-the-name-on-the-paper
everything-is-about-to-change
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