Chapter 15 - THE CAVE OF REFUGE
The steep incline gave way to a jagged limestone cliff face riddled with dark, narrow cave openings.
"In here! Now!" Ethan urged, guiding Lily and Marcus into a narrow crevice hidden behind hanging ivy.
They crawled on their hands and knees through the damp limestone tunnel until the entrance was completely obscured from view.
Marcus collapsed against the stone wall, clutching his wounded shoulder as his breathing came in ragged gasps.
Ethan pulled a medical trauma kit from his tactical belt, tearing open a gauze bandage to press against his brother's wound.
"You're going to bleed out if we don't cauterize this, Marcus," Ethan stated grimly, readying a chemical heat pack.
"Worry about the drive... Ethan... the flash drives are all we have left," Marcus whispered weakly, his face pale.
Ethan patted his tactical vest, confirming the waterproof pouch containing the black handbag's contents was still secure.
Lily sat quietly in the dark corner of the cave, hugging her stuffed rabbit while tears silently tracked down her cheeks.
"Are we going to be okay, Daddy?" Lily whispered into the echoing cavern.
May you like
Ethan crawled over, wrapping both arms around her small frame with fierce, unbreakable protection.
"Nothing in this world will ever hurt you while I'm breathing, I promise you that," Ethan vowed softly.
