The Questioner System (Ask Me Anything)

Chapter 20: Shadows on the Water

The faint rush of the river filled the air, a quiet contrast to the chaos Adam, Victor, and Marcus had just escaped. The trio huddled near the riverbank, hidden among thick reeds and overgrown bushes. The ground was damp and cold, but it provided a safe distance from the train yard and its dangers.

Victor crouched at the water's edge, inspecting the slow-moving current. "We need to figure out how to get across or follow it downstream to find a better hiding spot. Staying here is asking for trouble."

Marcus leaned back against a tree, his shotgun resting across his lap. "Crossing's risky without a boat. This river's deeper than it looks, and the current can pull you under before you know it."

Adam stared at the dark water, the faint moonlight reflecting off its surface. "Maybe we can build a raft or something?"

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Out of what? Spare reeds and good intentions?"

Victor ignored the comment, his mind clearly working through options. "We don't have time to wait for dawn. Jared's men will sweep the area again, and those gang members aren't going to forget us anytime soon."

Adam checked the system interface.

He sighed. It was no use for now, leaving them to rely on instinct and improvisation.

Victor eventually stood and motioned for the others to follow. "We'll head downstream. There might be an old ferry or abandoned dock. Stay close, and stay quiet."

The group moved along the riverbank, keeping to the shadows. The vegetation was dense in places, forcing them to push through thorny vines and tall grass. Adam winced as branches scratched at his arms, but he didn't complain.

The moonlight cast eerie shadows over the landscape, and every rustle in the bushes made Adam's heart jump.

"You're jumping at shadows, kid," Marcus muttered, walking just behind him.

Adam shot him a look. "Can you blame me? We've been shot at more in the last few hours than I've been in my entire life."

Marcus smirked. "Welcome to the club."

After about twenty minutes of walking, they stumbled upon a small clearing. A decrepit wooden dock jutted out into the water, and tied to it was an old, battered rowboat. The paint was peeling, and the wood looked weathered, but it seemed intact.

Victor approached cautiously, scanning the area. "Looks clear."

Marcus inspected the boat, giving it a light push. It rocked but didn't sink. "Well, it's not the Titanic, but it'll float."

"We'll need to move quietly," Victor said. "The sound of the oars will carry. No talking once we're on the water."

Adam hesitated as he looked at the boat. "What if it capsizes?"

"Then we swim," Marcus said with a grin. "And hope we don't drown."

Victor shot Marcus a warning glare before addressing Adam. "It's our best option. Let's move."

The boat groaned under their combined weight, but it held steady. Marcus and Victor took the oars, rowing with slow, deliberate strokes to minimize noise. Adam sat in the middle, gripping the edges of the boat as the dark water lapped against its sides.

The river was eerily calm, the only sounds coming from the faint splash of the oars and the occasional rustle of leaves. Adam's eyes darted to the shadows along the riverbank, half-expecting Jared's men or the gang members to emerge at any moment.

Victor whispered, "Eyes on the horizon, Adam. If anything moves, let us know."

Adam nodded, his throat dry.

As they drifted downstream, the tension in the air grew thicker. The river curved gently, revealing an old industrial complex on the far bank. The buildings were abandoned, their windows shattered and walls covered in graffiti.

Victor pointed toward the complex. "That could be a good place to lay low for the night. Plenty of places to hide, and it's unlikely anyone's patrolling there."

Marcus grunted in agreement. "Beats sleeping out in the open."

Adam squinted at the buildings. They looked ominous, their darkened interiors promising both safety and potential danger. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"No," Victor said bluntly. "But it's better than staying on the river."

The boat bumped against the muddy riverbank, and the trio disembarked carefully, pulling it onto the shore to hide it among the reeds.

The industrial complex loomed ahead, its tall smokestacks silhouetted against the night sky. The air smelled faintly of rust and mildew.

Victor took the lead, his pistol drawn. "Stay close. We'll scout the area first."

They entered through a broken gate, their footsteps echoing softly against the cracked pavement. The buildings were massive, their interiors dark and filled with debris.

Marcus whistled softly. "This place has seen better days."

Adam stayed close to Victor, his eyes darting to every shadow. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional drip of water or the rustle of rats.

They found an old storage room that seemed relatively secure. The door was heavy and could be barricaded with some effort. Marcus dragged a rusted metal cabinet in front of it, while Victor inspected the windows for any weak points.

Adam sat on the floor, his back against the wall. The adrenaline was finally wearing off, leaving him exhausted and sore.

Marcus tossed him a bottle of water. "Drink up. You'll need it."

Adam nodded and took a sip, the cool liquid soothing his dry throat.

Victor sat across from him, his expression serious. "We'll rest here for a few hours. Once the system resets, we'll use it to plan our next move."

Adam glanced at the interface.

It wasn't much, but it was something to look forward to.

The hours dragged on, the oppressive silence making every creak and groan of the building feel like a threat. Adam couldn't sleep, his mind racing with questions.

When he finally did drift off, his dreams were filled with fragments of the past few days—gunfire, shadows, and the glowing messages of the system.

When he woke, the faint light of dawn was creeping through the broken windows. Victor and Marcus were already awake, their expressions grim but focused.

"It's time," Victor said.

Adam checked the system, his heart pounding as he saw the new message appear.

It was a small comfort, but in their situation, every advantage mattered.

Victor crouched next to Adam. "First question has to count. Think carefully."

Adam nodded, staring at the glowing interface. For the first time in hours, he felt a flicker of hope.