Isabella Cross's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Isabella keeps her eyes forward as they walk, but her attention is on Logan. He's been checking behind them more than usual. Not obviously — just a glance here, a pause there, like he's listening for something specific. She knows what that means. Someone's following them, and he hasn't said a word about it. She spots the crumbling building ahead, three stories of broken brick and twisted metal. Windows like empty eyes. The kind of place that offers cover if you need it, or a vantage point if you're watching. Logan's hand drifts to his belt without breaking stride. Isabella reaches for the knife at her hip instead of waiting for him to move first. The weight of it steadies her. She needs to be ready when whoever's been shadowing them finally makes their move. Not for Logan to handle alone. Not this time. They pass the building's entrance and Isabella catches it — something metallic wedged between two chunks of concrete. She stops. Crouches. It's a gun, or what's left of one. Rusted barrel split open, grip wrapped in frayed leather. Fresh scrape marks on the metal where it was dropped. Logan circles back, sees what she's holding. His jaw tightens. Someone was here recently, close enough to leave evidence. Close enough to watch them walk right past. Isabella stands with the broken weapon in her hand and meets Logan's eyes. He knows she's seen the pattern now. The question isn't whether they're being followed anymore. It's what she's going to do about it. Logan reaches for his backpack. He unzips the main compartment and pulls out a compact scope, the kind you use to watch movement from distance. He's had it the whole time. Isabella's chest tightens. He knew. He's been preparing while she's been pretending not to notice his tension. She drops the broken gun and walks past him, toward the building's entrance. The doorway gapes open like a mouth. Whoever's tracking them has been using this place. She can feel it. Logan doesn't call her back. His silence tells her everything. This is her chance to prove she's ready, and they both know she's going in.