Chapter Seventy Four

Scarlett’s POV

Fear shot through my veins, igniting a surge of adrenaline. They were closing in on us, their determination to capture us evident in their words. We couldn't afford to waste a second. My mind raced, seeking a plan, an escape route.

"Elara, we need to move faster," I urged, urgency lacing my voice. "They're right behind us."

She nodded, her face pale but resolute. We quickened our pace, our feet dancing along the unstable tree trunk, desperately trying to maintain our balance. Every step felt like a ticking time bomb, the threat of falling and being captured looming over us.

As we reached the halfway point, a misstep sent Elara teetering on the edge of the trunk. I reached out, grabbing her arm, my grip firm yet gentle. "Hold on, Elara! I won't let you fall!"

Her eyes widened with a mixture of fear and trust, and she clung to my arm, her fingers digging into my skin. We had come too far together to give up now. Failure was not an option.

The voices behind us grew louder,