Chapter 141

Ashley's POV"What do you want?" I asked her coldly, my fingers already pushing the door back shut. She was a slut for all I care. A stalker and a slut. But before I could close the door completely, her hand darted out, catching it mid swing. "Wait, listen," she said quickly, her eyes flicking up to mine with a bit of urgency that quite differed from the sultry reaction she displayed back in the room with Rodney and Ben.I narrowed my eyes at her, the warning in my face glaring and firm. I held her gaze for a few more seconds and she didn't blink. But finally, with a slow breath I stepped aside and watch her walk in after a nod. Her heels clicked softly as she entered, her eyes scanning the room as though checking for the slightest dirt. I watched her closely, every step and every glance of hers, and finally, she turned to face me. "I know you all are heading out on a mission tonight," she simply said, her arms crossed and her gaze set on me with an unexpected posture of serious

Last Updated : 2025-07-17

Chapter 142

Ashley's POVThe receptionist flinched not. Failed to even look back as she passed Zara by, her heels clicking once more.Zara didn't move from the doorway. She simply stood there with arms crossed and her head slightly tilted, with eyes that zeroed in on me. "It's time Ashley," she finally said, her voice cool. I nodded without a word, turning to the standing mirror to get a final look of myself. " Ok Zara," I replied as I turned to her. I tried all I could not to reveal by my expressions that my thoughts were too cluttered, that the knot in my stomach pulled tighter with every step I took. We walked down the hallway, the hum of power supply blending with the pounding of my heart. Getting outside, David was already waiting by the van, leaning against it all decked up in the simplest of outfits. No one would suspect a thing with what we all wore."Ashley," he called in a soft tone as soon as he saw me, pulling the door open without a further word. We all got in, the door shutting

Last Updated : 2025-07-18

Chapter 143

Ashley's POV Zara's eyes met mine. "Yes, alone," she replied. "There's no time to keep searching for clues together. You head east down that row. David, take you take the west. I'll cover the alleyways." She spoke with authority, she was obviously in charge. I didn't argue, though it just didn't seat right well with me. Stealing a quick glance at David, I caught his eyes for brief second. There was no smile rubbed on his face, only a flicker of silent understanding, more like a wordless "be careful." Giving a small nod, I turned away from him, tugging on my jacket before I began to move down the street in the direction that Zara pointed. I passed the first house quickly, my instincts the first to tell me that those we wished to find didn't reside there. The mailbox was broken for a start, something that John would never permit. It was hanging off its hinges like a mouth gasping for air.I searched inside the broken piece, finding nothing but a torn newspaper from months ago. Th

Last Updated : 2025-07-18

Chapter 144

Ashley's POVThe very moment my hand caught David's, I was yanked into the van. Zara didn't wait for the door to close before she sped off, the tires screaming against the pavement as we tore down the street. Gunfire cracked behind us. "Seat tight!" Zara yelled, taking a sharp turn just as David slid the door shut. The van continued violently, my chest heaving and my lungs seemingly unable to find enough air. But still I said nothing to no one.. For a moment, the only sounds I could capture was the roar of the engine and the distant continuous sound of gunshots. Then Zara turned in her seat to face me, her jaw tight. "What the hell happened back there?" she asked. "What did you see?" I gave no reply. Her face was laced with urgency as she darted her gaze to me frequently while driving back. But my mind wasn't in the van anymore. I was still standing before that crumbling house, watching my daughter stretch her hand to me for help. My children were still alive, and close by. T

Last Updated : 2025-07-19

Chapter 145

Ashley's POVMy stomach gave a sharp twist. I felt the deep and clawing hunger as it coiled my gut and refused to loosen. I hadn't eaten since... I couldn't even recall. The search for my children seemed to have swallowed any sense of time or self care. "Damn it," I whispered, pressing my hand against my belly in an attempt to will it into silence.The hunger refused to be ignored. With a quiet groan did I slid the blanket off me and sat up again. I felt sluggish, my entire body unwilling to be dragged from it's present state. "Just a bite Ashley," I whispered to myself as my feet touched the cold floor. My fingers still trembled slightly as I reached the doorknob, and the moment I turned it, I heard footsteps that weren't mine. I froze, blinking rapidly as I thought of another night crawler. The footsteps were soft but quite fast. It came from the left side of the hallway. Instinct kicking in, shut my door behind me very silently and leaned on it, hoping not to get seen, but t