Salt Kiss – Episode 37
Tristan extinguished the lights and moved Isolde into the reinforced pantry. The approaching vehicle stopped beyond the tree line rather than at the house, confirming the driver did not intend a friendly visit.
“Stay behind me,” he said as they escaped through the rear passage.
“I am getting tired of that instruction.”
“Stay alive long enough to complain later.”
They reached the hidden vehicle seconds before shots struck the house. Tristan accelerated down an unmarked forestry road while Isolde monitored the rear window.
“Two vehicles,” she reported. “Closing fast.”
Tristan handed her a secured phone. “Send Mark our coordinates, then destroy it.”
She transmitted the message and shattered the device beneath her boot without hesitation.
The chase forced them toward mountain roads where rain made every turn dangerous. Tristan used the terrain to separate the pursuing vehicles, but one remained.
Isolde noticed a narrow service bridge ahead. “Can that hold us?”
“Once.”
They crossed at speed. Tristan stopped beyond it, fired at the locking mechanism, and dropped the barrier as the pursuer approached.
The enemy vehicle swerved and crashed into the ravine wall. Tristan did not wait to see whether anyone emerged.
Hours later, they reached an anonymous roadside motel. With the network compromised, anonymity offered more safety than luxury.
Only one room remained. Tristan requested extra blankets and prepared to sleep beside the door.
Isolde watched him build another uncomfortable guard post. “You do know martyrdom is not a security protocol.”
“It is tonight.”
Thunder shook the windows after the lights went out. This time, when Tristan startled awake, Isolde’s voice reached him before the nightmare could take hold.