" The Brace of Shadows"

The safe zone was quiet, save for the soft rustling of wind through the overgrowth and the faint murmur of the children's voices as Nora kept them busy. But away from the group, tucked into the shadows of a crumbling structure, Carter leaned against a wall, speaking in a hushed voice to no one but himself.

He reached into his pack and pulled out the concealed TNT, his fingers tracing the edges of the explosives. A cold, detached smile crossed his face.

"They should've died that day," he murmured. His tone was venomous, filled with resentment. "Eliot had to play the hero, didn't he? He had to get in the way, and save Nora. This would all be mine if it weren't for him. His bracelet… Alex's… they should've been mine."

Carter's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "But no matter. Plans can change. Eliot's gone, but Nora and her little brats? They're still in my way. And Alex… he's too soft. I just need to wait for the right moment. Get rid of them, take what's mine."

Unbeknownst to Carter, Nora had wandered closer, She'd been searching for a quiet moment to herself and her mind, but the sound of his voice drew her near as she wanted to see who was there, thinking that might be her mind playing tricks on her due the fatigue and her thoughts that was in turmoil after all the tragic experience, hidden behind the corner, she froze as his words sank in, her breath catching in her throat.

Her heart pounded in terror. Carter wasn't who he seemed—he was dangerous, a predator hiding in plain sight. Her mind raced as she tried to process the horrifying truth. She wanted to go out and confront him, but she couldn't. Her mind and body didn't want to listen.

Suddenly, her foot slipped on a loose pebble, the small sound echoing louder than it should have.

Carter's head snapped toward the noise, his eyes narrowing dangerously. He shoved the TNT back into his pack, his hand moving instinctively toward his knife. "Who's there?" he called out, his voice sharp and commanding.

Nora pressed herself against the wall, her body trembling. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but she knew the noise would only give her away. She struggled to steady her breathing, praying that Carter wouldn't find her.

Carter took a step forward, his gaze sweeping the area. His expression shifted, a calculated mask slipping into place. "You might as well come out," he said, his tone deceptively calm. "I won't hurt you or anything. I'm just curious who's eavesdropping on a private conversation."

Nora's mind raced with many thoughts. If he sees me, it's over. But if I stay here, it would also spell trouble and I can't fail my kids, they depend on me.

Carter moved closer, his boots crunching against the gravel. The distance between them was shrinking. Nora's pulse thundered in her ears as she searched desperately for an escape.

---

Just as Carter reached the corner, a loud clatter echoed from the opposite side of the camp. It was Sam, dropping a pile of metal cans he'd been sorting.

The noise pulled Carter's attention, his eyes darting toward the source. "Damn kids," he muttered under his breath, turning away toward the source of the sound.

Nora seized the opportunity, slipping quietly away and back toward the others. Her legs felt like jelly, but she forced herself to stay calm, her movements careful and silent.

When Nora returned to the children, she fought to keep her composure. Her hands shook as she pulled Sam and Chloe close, her mind reeling with the weight of what she'd overheard.

 Sam noticed that something was wrong with his mother and he tried to inquire about what was in her mind that made her like this.

As he asked her, but before silencing him and saying that it would say later, she glanced over the corner where Carter, who was now casually approaching the camp, his face a picture of calm indifference. She steered herself and smiled kindly to her son, asking how the rope ties knock they made it. Stealing glances at Carter, He's a monster, she thought, her fear mingling with a growing resolve.

Nora didn't know how, but she had to protect her children—and Alex—from the danger that now lurked within their group and faster, if not.. everything would be lost for them.