Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 140

In the thick darkness of the forest, a figure was staggering, his every movement a lestament to his desperation. He was wounded; his clothes torn and bloodstained, his face etched with fear to raw that it could freeze the blood of even the warmest of earth. Heavy beads of sweat poured down his face, wetting his shirt, and this cold night's air did little to ease the heat coursing wildly through his veins. His breathing came in heavy, ragged gasps, but he fought to quit them, biting his lip to the point of bleeding. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, made him shiver. His heart was pounding violently against his ribcage, and his lungs felt on fire.

He had been running for hours, his legs trembling with exhaustion and pain, yet he dared not stop. He knew that if he did, it would be the end. The men chasing him were relentless-Annie's order was clear.

His life, fragile as it was now, hung by a thread, and he couldn't let it snap, not yet..

He could hear his pursuers closing in. The sound of their boots as they stepped on small twigs of trees and their harsh voices calling out to each other pierced the night like a knife. Jim pressed himself against the trunk of a massive tree, his chest heaving as he struggled to control his breaths.

One of his trembling hands rose to his mouth as his wide eyes darted through the shadows. Fear clawed at his gut; his heart racing so wildly it felt like it might burst. His mind yelled at him to run, but he stilled himself, blending into the darkness as best he could. The footsteps drew closer, then the blinding beams of flashlights swept across the forest and missing him by mere inches.

Jim froze, his body rigid as the men passed by, their voices echoing in the night. He could hear their frustration as they searched, oblivious to the fact that their prey was mere feet away

any sign that the coast was clear. After what seemed like an eternity,

hiding place. His body screamed in protest, every muscle and joint aching, but he forced himself to move. The forest seemed endless, but he pressed on, driven by the desire to

and, with a bit of deliberation, signalled to it to stop, asking for help. His voice was hoarse and dry. The car came to a screeching stop, and

the crazy incident that had led him to

police swarming the area delayed

the right time, he had bolted, running as fast and as far as his injured body could carry him. And now, against all odds, he was alive. Unbeknownst to Annie, her

Blackthorn Hospital, the surgeons had finally finalized the head surgery on Emma. The operation was a success, but the relief was short-lived.

frugile. Her liver, irreparably damaged had to be replaced within 30 hours now, or the fight to

the test results, the papers trembling with excitement. "Sir, Kevin began, his voice almost

time in hours, a glimmer of hope pierced through