" The Brace of Shadows"

The tension in the camp was palpable as the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across. Nora had avoided Carter all day, her heart pounding every time she saw him. She knew she couldn't stay silent, not after what she'd heard. But the fear of what he might do made her hesitate. She wanted to wait for Alex, but she also knew that waiting longer could spell more problems for them and Alex. Because Carter isn't someone who could take it lightly, not after what he has done.

Finally, as the kids played nearby and Carter lounged against a wall, sharpening his knife with a quiet intensity, Nora decided she couldn't wait any longer. She couldn't let his plan unfold-not when her children's lives were at stake. She clenched her fists, summoning every ounce of courage, and approached him.

"Carter," she called her voice firm despite the tremor she felt inside.

He looked up, his expression unreadable. "Nora. What can I do for you?"

She squared her shoulders, refusing to show her fear. "I know what you're planning."

Carter paused, his knife still in his hand. A slow, unsettling smile spread across his face. "Oh? And what exactly do you think I'm planning?"

Her voice grew sharper. "You're going to betray us. You want to hurt me and my kids, and you're after Alex's bracelet even though I don't know what that bracelet means, You are a sick psychopath and because of your twisted mind, I already lost my Elliot. I can't let you ruin more lives. I heard everything."

Carter's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. He stood, his movements deliberate, and took a step closer to her.

"And what are you going to do about it?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Nora didn't back down, her maternal instincts overpowering her fear. "I'll stop you. Alex will stop you. You won't hurt my children. I won't let you."

Carter chuckled, the sound devoid of any warmth. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But bravery doesn't count for much when you're unprepared."

In a flash, his knife was at her side, not striking but threatening, a reminder of the power he held. "You see, Nora, I don't need to hurt you—yet. All I need is leverage."

As she read his move, she knew what will do and she tried to move towards the kids but

Before she could react, Carter turned sharply and lunged toward Sam and Chloe, who were playing nearby.

"Mom?" Chloe called out, confusion and fear in her voice as Carter grabbed her arm. Sam seeing her sister in his arms tried to fight with him by hitting him with a crowbar, but Carter easily overpowered him, holding the boy's wrist in an iron grip.

"Let them go!" Nora shouted, panic flooding her as she moved toward him.

Carter pulled the kids closer, using them as shields. His voice was calm but dripping with menace. "Not another step, Nora. Or you'll regret it."

"I'll make this simple," Carter said, his tone icy. "Tell Alex I'll be waiting for him. At the bridge. Where it all started."

Nora's breath hitched. "What are you going to do to them?"

"That depends on Alex," Carter replied. "If he wants to see these two alive again, he'll come to me. Alone. No tricks, no surprises."

Nora's voice broke. "Please, Carter. They're just kids."

Carter's eyes flickered with something cold and unfeeling. "Kids are a means to an end, Nora. That's all. Now, be a good mother and do as you're told. Tell Alex where to find me. And don't try to follow. If I see you before Alex does…" He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication hung heavily in the air.

Carter dragged Sam and Chloe with him, disappearing into the ruins as Nora collapsed to her knees, shaking. She clutched the radio Alex had left behind, tears streaming down her face.

When she finally found her voice, she spoke into the radio, her words choked with emotion.

"Alex," she whispered, "Carter… he's taken the kids. He says he'll be waiting for you at the bridge. Please, hurry."

The static crackled before Alex's voice came through, urgent and steady. "I'm on my way. Stay safe, Nora. I'll get them back. I promise."

Nora sat in silence, gripping the radio tightly, the weight of her terror and guilt threatening to crush her. Alex's promise was all she had left to cling to.

As he dragged the kids along, Chloe sized the moment and bit him on the hand when it didn't pay attention, losing the grip on her hand, Sam also kicked him hard on his stomach, making Carter seeth with anger and hit him on the face with the back of the hand who moments ago had Chloe in his grip. Sam enduring the force fought back alongside his sister, allowing himself to free himself and both tried to run back to their mothers. Nora hearing the commotion made by the kids, ran after them, and Carter activating his bracelet moved faster and tried to backstab Sam, Nora seeing what would happen, pulled Sam out of the way, took the hit, having the knife into her abdomen his hand twisting the blade cruelly. She gasped, her knees buckling as pain coursed through her body.

"You should've stayed out of the way, Nora,' he said coldly, pulling the knife free. 

She collapsed to the ground, clutching her wound as blood seeped between her fingers. The world around her blurred, her vision dimming as Carter knelt beside her. 

Nora's breath came in shallow, painful gasps as she lay on the cold ground, the world around her growing dimmer with every passing second. Her hand clutched at her abdomen, the blood flowing faster now, staining her fingers. The pain was excruciating, but she fought to keep her eyes open, refusing to give in to the darkness.

Carter's words echoed in her ears, a cruel taunt that only seemed to make the pain worse. "You should've stayed out of the way, Nora."

Her vision blurred, but she saw him kneeling beside her, his face cold and indifferent. He didn't care. He was only focused on the damage he'd done.

Sam and Chloe, standing a few feet away, seemed frozen for a moment, unable to process what had just happened. But then, panic flooded through him, and he rushed forward. "MOM!" he shouted, his voice cracking with desperation.

Nora forced her gaze up to meet them, her breath ragged as she tried to speak, but all that escaped her lips was a choked gasp.

"Sam… Chloe... get… away…" she managed to whisper, though the warning was weak, barely audible. She tried to fight but she felt that strength would leave her and even if she still had the urge to protect them, even now, burned deep within her. She couldn't let Carter finish what he'd started.

 Carter stood up, dragging Sam and Chloe away as they still screamed for their mother. Nora reached out weakly, her fingers brushing the ground as they disappeared into the ruins. 

Nora lay on the cold ground, her breaths shallow and ragged. Blood pooled beneath her, her strength fading with every passing second,

The static of the radio crackled, and Alex's voice broke through. "Nora? Nora, are you there? I'm almost back. What's going on?" 

Her trembling hand reached for the radio, but she was too weak to hold it. Her vision was fading to black when she heard footsteps-Alex's voice calling out her name. 

Nora!" 

He dropped to his knees beside her, his eyes wide with horror as he took in her pale face and the blood soaking her clothes.

 ''Nora, what happened?" he demanded, his voice breaking as he pressed his hands over her wound, trying to stem the bleeding. 

Her eyes fluttered open, and she managed a faint, trembling smile. Alex.... 

"I'm here. Stay with me. I fix this," he said desperately. 

Her hand weakly grasped his wrist. "It's.. Carter. He took them. Sam... Chloe.. He said.." She coughed blood staining her lips. "He's waiting for you. At the bridge."

 Alex's jaw tightened, his eyes blazing with fury. "'II get them back, Nora. I promise' 

Her gaze softened, and a tear slid down her cheek. "Take care of them, Alex. Protect them. For me." 

Her hand fell limp, and her chest stilled as she gave her final breath.

Alex knelt there, holding her lifeless body, his hands shaking with rage and grief. "I'll make him pay," he whispered, his voice filled with cold determination. 

He gently laid Nora down, closing her eyes with trembling fingers. Rising to his feet, he grabbed the knife.

Alex strapped on his gear and set out, his heart burning with a vengeance. This ends now