This is not the time to analyze what passed between us.
All that matters now is getting through this night.
I take a deep breath and give him a single, sharp nod.
We've made our leap of faith. Now it's time to see where we land.
The night is still around us as we stood poised to make our escape.
A heavy fog has rolled in, muffling any sounds and making the darkened mansion look eerie and unfamiliar.
Taking advantage of a well-timed shift change, I slip back inside and take Yara by the hand, her small form bundled in every layer possible.
I put a finger to my lips, reminding her to be quiet, and we find Morello waiting in place.
Morello's hand finds mine in the darkness, his warm, calloused fingers intertwining with my own. I glance at him in surprise.
"For luck," he murmurs.
Despite my doubts, I don't pull away. We stay that way, hands clasped, as we slip through the side door and out into the murky night.
The fog swirls around us as we hurry across the grounds, making our way toward the hidden section of fencing Morello had scouted out days before. My heart pounded, my senses hyper-alert. Each shadow looks like a lurking threat.
I stumble on an uneven patch of ground and Morello's grip tightens, keeping me on my feet. We're in this together now, our fates interlinked, for better or worse.
Somehow, we make it to the fence undetected. Morello gives me a boost over the top and I land lightly on the other side, my breath loud in my ears. He hoists Yara over soon after, and I carefully lower her to the uneven ground.
A moment later, he's beside us again.
We pause, glancing back at the dark silhouette of the mansion one last time. Then Morello takes my hand again, his eyes meeting mine.
"Let's go," he says. And together, we melt into the fog and the night beyond.
For a moment, I inhale the sweet scent of freedom.
But, true to form, this feeling is very short-lived.
The gunshots pierce the silence like thunder. My heart leaps into my throat as Yara's hand slips from mine.
"Get down!" Morello tackles us to the ground, shielding our bodies with his.
My breath comes in panicked gasps. We were so close to freedom just seconds ago.
More shots ring out, bullets spraying the dirt around us.
Yara whimpers, her small frame trembling against me, and the sound just about destroys me.
"Stay with me, baby," I whisper.
Morello's eyes scan the tree line, his jaw set. "We need to move, now!"
He hauls me to my feet, keeping low as he drags us toward the brush.
Adrenaline pulses through me.
I grab onto Yara, holding her hand tight, for a split second wishing she was younger and smaller so I could just scoop her up and carry her.
Just a little further. We can make it if we just keep moving.