I looked over my shoulder, contemplating the darkness. If there was an exit at the other end, then it would more than likely be guarded as well. My father had said all Raziq had Razan, and while I'd only felt two, I had no doubt there would be more.
Besides, the longer I remained in this hall, the greater the chance I'd be discovered. It was better to risk this patch of brightness than backtrack and risk the unknown.
I closed my eyes and gathered the remnants of my strength. I could do this. I had to do this. There was no way I was going back to that cell.
I sprinted forward as lightly as I could. The TV was loud, but even so, the sound of my footsteps seemed to echo above it.
My body hit the light. I kept my gaze on the darkness beyond it, my heart in my throat and determination in my limbs.
I could do this. I would.
But just as I hit the shadows, one of the men in the room swore and scrambled to his feet.
They were coming.
The realization sent a surge of fresh energy through my limbs. I kept running, following the wall, hoping against hope to find some sort of vent or shaft that would offer a way out of this tunnel.
But there was nothing.
Still, the air seemed fresher and came with a tantalizing hint of rain. Freedom was out there somewhere. I just had to find it.
Awareness shimmered across my battered body. Though I heard no sound, the men were behind me. I could feel the heat of them, smell their anger.
Somehow, I ran faster, but it wasn't enough. It was never going to be enough. Before I knew it, one of them grabbed a handful of shirt and yanked me backward. I didn't fight it, allowing myself to pulled back into a body that was well muscled and lean. But before his grip could shift and secure me more tightly, I lifted my elbow and jabbed it—as hard as I could—into his midriff. He hissed in pain and his hold loosened. I spun around, raised my other elbow, and smashed it into his face. His nose shattered even as the force of the blow sent him sprawling backward into the other man. Then I turned and ran.
They were after me all too quickly. But the smell of rain was growing, and in the distance came the steady trickle of water. If the rain was getting in, then surely that meant there was some sort of storm water opening ahead. I hoped so.
Hoped that I could get out through it.