Page 6 of Broken Oath

Today, there was almost nothing.

The entire compound looked abandoned.

Hammer leaned closer. “They leave?”

“Maybe.”

The answer came too quickly.

Too uncertainly.

Rook looked at Fathom. “You don’t believe that.”

“No.”

“Why?”

Fathom tapped the screen. “If they were relocating, we’d see movement. Supply routes. Vehicles. Heat signatures leaving the area.”

Nothing appeared.

The screen remained almost empty.

“It’s like they just…” Fathom stopped.

Rook waited.

“Vanished.”

The cabin suddenly felt colder.

Nobody joked now.

Nobody laughed.

Even Hammer’s grin disappeared.

The helicopter roared around them, but the silence between the men felt louder.

Rook looked down at the mountains.

The feeling returned.

Stronger this time.

Like the darkness itself was watching.

Waiting.

The pilot’s voice crackled through their headsets.

“Three minutes.”

The words snapped everyone into motion.

Weapons came up.

Helmets locked.