The Questioner System (Ask Me Anything)

Chapter 25: A Fortress in the Wild

The ranger station had seen better days. The weathered wood creaked underfoot, and the windows were reinforced only by thin shutters that seemed more ornamental than functional. A dusty map of the surrounding forest hung on the wall, marked with faded ink trails. Despite its dilapidated state, the building offered something Adam hadn't felt in hours—a semblance of safety.

Victor wasted no time. He moved with purpose, checking every corner of the station. He opened drawers, overturned furniture, and tapped on walls, looking for anything they could use.

"Help me barricade the windows," he said without looking at Adam.

Adam hesitated, then nodded. "What do we use?"

Victor pointed to a stack of old wooden chairs in the corner. "Those. Break them up if you have to. We need to make it harder for anyone to get a clear shot in here."

The two worked quickly, dragging furniture to block the windows and securing the door with an old wooden plank they found in a storage closet. Adam's muscles burned from the effort, but the repetitive task helped steady his frayed nerves.

As they worked, the distant sound of engines roared through the forest, faint but unmistakable.

"They're closing in," Adam said, his voice tinged with dread.

Victor didn't look up from hammering nails into a makeshift barricade. "Let them come. We'll be ready."

Adam wasn't sure if Victor's confidence was genuine or a façade, but he clung to it nonetheless.

Once the station was as fortified as they could make it, Victor spread the map on a desk. He lit a small, flickering lantern and motioned for Adam to join him.

"Here's where we are," Victor said, pointing to a small dot near the center of the map. "And here's the main road." His finger traced a line a few miles away.

"Why don't we just head for the road and flag someone down?" Adam asked.

Victor shook his head. "Too risky. Jared's men are probably watching it. They'd pick us off before we got close."

Adam frowned. "So what's the plan?"

Victor leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "We hold this position until Marcus gets here. Once we're all together, we'll reassess."

Adam didn't like the sound of it, but he knew better than to argue. Victor had a knack for staying alive, and right now, that was the only thing keeping Adam going.

The minutes dragged on, each one stretching into an eternity. Adam paced the room, unable to sit still. His thoughts were a chaotic tangle of fear, doubt, and frustration.

"What's taking Marcus so long?" he muttered.

Victor glanced up from cleaning his pistol. "He'll be here. Patience."

Adam wasn't sure how Victor could be so calm. Every shadow outside the windows seemed to move, and every creak of the old building made his heart race.

Just as Adam was about to lose his mind, a loud knock echoed through the room.

Victor was on his feet instantly, his pistol aimed at the door. "Who's there?"

"It's me," came Marcus's familiar voice. "Open up."

Victor hesitated for a moment before unbarring the door. Marcus stepped inside, his face flushed and his clothes dusted with dirt.

"You made it," Victor said, clapping Marcus on the shoulder.

"Barely," Marcus replied, his voice rough. "They're crawling all over this forest. I led a couple of them on a wild goose chase, but it won't buy us much time."

Marcus dropped a heavy duffel bag onto the floor and unzipped it. Inside was an assortment of weapons and supplies—extra ammunition, grenades, and even a small first-aid kit.

"Where did you get all this?" Adam asked, his eyes wide.

Marcus grinned. "Let's just say I know how to shop smart."

Victor began sorting through the bag, his movements quick and efficient. "Good. This will help."

Adam picked up a handgun from the bag, its weight unfamiliar in his hand. He looked at Victor uncertainly. "Do you think I'll have to use this?"

Victor met his gaze. "If it comes to that, yes. But don't worry—we'll make sure you're ready."

The trio spent the next hour preparing. Victor and Marcus laid out a strategy, marking potential choke points around the station on the map. They placed weapons and supplies at key locations, ensuring they'd have access no matter where the fight took them.

Adam listened intently, trying to absorb as much as he could. He wasn't a fighter, but he was determined not to be dead weight.

As the final preparations were made, Victor turned to Adam. "You've got good instincts. Trust them. And remember—stay low, stay focused, and don't hesitate."

Adam nodded, swallowing hard. "Got it."

The first sign of the enemy's approach was the faint hum of engines, growing louder with each passing second.

"They're coming," Marcus said, his voice steady.

Victor checked his pistol one last time. "Positions."

Adam took cover behind an overturned desk, his heart pounding like a drum. The hunting knife was tucked into his belt, and the handgun rested in his trembling hands.

The sound of engines stopped abruptly, replaced by the crunch of boots on gravel. Voices carried through the night, low and cautious.

"They're surrounding us," Marcus whispered.

Victor nodded. "Let them come closer."

The first flash of light pierced the darkness as one of the attackers swept a flashlight over the station. Victor fired a single shot, and the light went out with a shatter of glass.

Chaos erupted. Gunfire lit up the night, and Adam found himself crouching low, his ears ringing from the noise.

Victor and Marcus moved like professionals, their shots precise and controlled. Adam tried to focus, aiming his pistol at a shadowy figure near the window. He squeezed the trigger, and the recoil jolted his arm.

The figure stumbled and fell, and Adam's stomach churned.

"Stay focused!" Victor barked.

The fight raged on, the attackers relentless. Grenades exploded outside, shaking the walls of the station and filling the air with smoke and debris.

Despite their efforts, the enemy began to close in. Victor shouted commands, his voice cutting through the chaos.

"Marcus, cover the east side! Adam, watch the door!"

Adam's hands shook as he aimed at the door, his breath coming in short gasps. When the door burst open, he fired instinctively, hitting the intruder square in the chest.

The man fell, and Adam felt a surge of adrenaline.

"I got him!" he shouted, his voice a mix of triumph and disbelief.

The battle dragged on for what felt like hours, but eventually, the gunfire began to die down. The attackers retreated, their numbers too depleted to press on.

Victor lowered his weapon, his chest heaving. "They'll regroup. We need to move."

Marcus nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Agreed. This place won't hold if they come back with reinforcements."

Adam leaned against the desk, his entire body trembling. He had survived, but the night was far from over.

Victor placed a hand on his shoulder. "You did good, Adam. But this is just the beginning."

Adam nodded, his resolve hardening. If this was the new reality, he was determined to face it head-on.