BENEATH the broken sky

The sky was a dull, ash-filled gray, the horizon stretching out in endless ruin. Once, this land had been alive—lush fields dotted with crops, forests teeming with life, a quiet farmhouse nestled under the expanse of a blue sky. But all that was gone now. Now, it was a wasteland, scarred by the invasion. The land was dry and brittle, and the air tasted of dust and decay.

Maya trudged through the broken landscape, her breath coming in shallow bursts as she fought to keep moving. Her boots crunched over the remains of what had once been a road, now fractured and overgrown. Every step was a battle against exhaustion. The cold bit at her skin, seeping through the layers of worn-out fabric she wore, a constant reminder of how little time she had left before the night’s chill overtook her. She hadn’t eaten in two days, and the gnawing hunger was beginning to dull her senses.

But the hunger wasn’t what kept her awake. It wasn’t what made her breath quicken, or her heart thud against her ribs like a trapped animal. No, that was something else entirely.

Something was hunting her.

She didn’t know how long it had been there, lurking just out of sight, but she had felt it. A presence, a shadow moving just beyond her field of vision, always too far to see but close enough to feel. She’d caught glimpses of movement, the faintest whisper of footsteps in the distance. And now, she could feel it again—closer this time.

Maya’s grip tightened on the worn handle of her knife. It wasn’t much, but it had saved her life more than once. She couldn’t outrun whatever was stalking her. Not in this state. She had to find shelter, just enough to hide herself, at least for the night.

Ahead, she spotted it—a derelict barn, its roof half caved in, the walls barely standing, but still enough to provide cover. She stumbled towards it, her legs shaking from fatigue, her eyes darting around as if expecting her hunter to appear from the shadows at any moment. She pushed open the creaking door and slipped inside.

The barn was empty, save for a few broken beams and the remnants of old farming equipment. Maya let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. It wasn’t safe, but it was the best she could do for now.

She crouched near the back wall, huddling in the darkest corner, trying to ignore the biting cold that seemed to seep into her bones. She pulled a small bundle of twigs and dry leaves from her pack, her fingers trembling as she worked to spark a fire. It wasn’t smart—lighting a flame in the open—but without it, she wouldn’t last through the night.

The flames caught, flickering weakly at first, before growing into a small, steady blaze. Maya stretched her hands out, feeling the faint warmth begin to return to her stiff fingers. For a moment, she allowed herself the luxury of closing her eyes, the heat lulling her into a fragile sense of security.

But it didn’t last.

A sound. Heavy footsteps, slow and deliberate, crunching the dirt just outside the barn.

Her eyes snapped open.

She froze, her heart hammering in her chest as the steps grew louder. Someone—no, something—was coming. Panic surged through her, and without thinking, she snuffed out the fire, the sudden darkness swallowing her whole. She pressed her back against the wall, sliding into the shadows, knife clenched tightly in her hand.

The footsteps paused at the entrance. A figure cast a long shadow through the half-open door.

Then, a voice. Low, smooth, with a hint of amusement. “Not the smartest decision—lighting a fire when you’re being hunted.”

Maya held her breath, pressing herself tighter into the wall. Maybe he wouldn’t see her. Maybe—

The figure stepped inside, his footsteps slow and measured. He was tall, his broad silhouette filling the barn’s doorway as he surveyed the space. Maya dared to peek around the corner of the beam, just enough to catch a glimpse of him.

He was dressed in dark, tactical gear, the kind used by the Zaxian hunters. His movements were fluid, graceful, like a predator closing in on its prey. He took a step closer to the spot where she had been sitting by the fire, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

“You’re smart enough to hide,” he said, his voice echoing through the empty barn, “but not smart enough to realize you’re only delaying the inevitable.”

Maya’s heart raced as his footsteps grew louder, closing in on her hiding spot. She could see him now, standing just a few feet away, his arms folded across his chest, a faint amusement dancing in his dark eyes.

“Come out, come out,” he taunted, his voice carrying a mocking tone. “You can’t hide forever.”

Maya swallowed hard, her grip tightening on the knife. She needed to move. Needed to—

Before she could make a move, he was there, leaning casually against the wall, far closer than she’d anticipated. He tilted his head, a smirk still curling his lips as he studied her.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

Maya stayed silent, glaring up at him from beneath the brim of her cap. She was filthy, her face streaked with dirt, her hair hidden beneath the cap, but her eyes—the bright blue of a clear sky—stood out in the dim light.

The man’s gaze lingered on her face, curiosity flickering in his eyes as he studied her features.

“Quite the disguise you’ve got there,” he murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But it doesn’t matter how dirty you are. Your eyes will always give you away.”

His hand reached out suddenly, grasping the brim of her hat. Maya reacted instinctively, jerking back, but he was faster. In one swift motion, he yanked the cap from her head, revealing the ice-blonde hair hidden beneath.

“Ah, there it is.” He smiled, clearly pleased with himself. “The truth unveiled.”

Maya’s eyes flashed with defiance, but she didn’t move. She watched him warily as he reached out again, his fingers brushing a strand of her hair.

“You’ve got spirit,” he mused, twirling the strand between his fingers. “I like that.”

Maya’s muscles tensed. She wasn’t about to let him toy with her. Without warning, she lashed out, her fist connecting with his throat. He staggered back, choking out a cough, but it wasn’t enough to stop him.

She ran.

The night air hit her like a slap as she burst from the barn, sprinting across the barren landscape. Behind her, she could hear him recovering, his footsteps pounding the ground as he gave chase. She didn’t look back. She couldn’t.

The trees loomed ahead, a dark, twisted forest. Maya pushed herself harder, the sound of his pursuit growing louder with each step. Twigs snapped beneath her feet as she weaved through the trees, her breath ragged and her legs burning.

But it wasn’t enough.

She could feel him closing in, his presence like a shadow over her shoulder. The lake came into view, the dark water reflecting the faint light of the moon. Without thinking, Maya made a dash for it, hoping to lose him in the water.

But just as she was about to dive, his hand closed around her arm.

“Not so fast,” he growled, pulling her back from the edge.

Maya twisted in his grip, trying to break free, but his hold was like iron. He pulled her close, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “You’re not going anywhere.”

Maya’s breath hitched in her throat as the man’s grip tightened around her arm. His strength was overwhelming, but what terrified her more was the ease with which he had caught her. She had run so hard, so fast, and still, he had closed the distance like it was nothing.

How does he move so fast? she thought, her pulse thundering in her ears. Panic clawed at her chest. She tried to wrench her arm free, but his hold was like iron. She was no match for him.

I’m going to die here, aren’t I? The thought came unbidden, bitter and cold, creeping into her mind like the chill of the wind. Is this how it ends? After all this time? After everything I’ve been through?

For a brief, painful moment, she thought of Lea—her sister’s face flickering in her memory, that wild laugh, those wide eyes so full of life. I promised I’d find her. I promised I wouldn’t stop until I did. A surge of anger mixed with her fear. She couldn’t let it end like this. Not now. Not after surviving this long.

“Let me go,” Maya whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. She could hear the desperation in her own words, and she hated it. Hated how small she sounded.

The man didn’t release her. His breath was warm against her skin, contrasting the freezing air. She tried not to shiver, though whether from the cold or the fear, she wasn’t sure.

“I don’t think so,” he replied, his voice low and taunting. There was something unsettling in his tone, something that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

Why isn’t he killing me? Her mind raced, searching for answers. Zaxians didn’t hesitate—they didn’t play games. They hunted. They captured. They killed. She had seen it, lived it. She knew their cruelty. But this one... he wasn’t like the others. He hadn’t snapped her neck the moment he caught her. What does he want from me?

His eyes bore into hers, intense and unrelenting. She felt exposed under his gaze, like he could see straight through the layers of dirt, the mask of survival, down to the fear and exhaustion she tried so hard to hide.

No. I can’t let him see that. I can’t let him know I’m afraid.

Maya’s thoughts churned, each one darker than the last. She needed to stay calm, to think. But her body was betraying her—her muscles tensed, her heartbeat erratic, her mind screaming at her to run, even though she knew she couldn’t. She was cornered. There’s no escape. Not this time.

He pulled her closer, his grip firm but not crushing. His gaze never wavered from hers, and there was something in his eyes—curiosity, perhaps? Or something darker? She couldn’t tell.

“You really think you can just run and hide?” His voice was quieter now, almost a whisper, but it was laced with amusement. Like he was enjoying the chase.

Maya swallowed, her throat dry. I have to say something. I have to stall. But her mind was blank, racing through useless scenarios. She didn’t trust herself to speak. What’s the point? He’s got me. She knew that much. She had felt the strength in his hands, the power behind his calm demeanor. He could kill her without a second thought, and no one would ever know.

Lea... I’m sorry.

A lump formed in her throat, but she forced it down. Now wasn’t the time for regrets or weakness. If she was going to die, she’d go down fighting. Even if it meant nothing. Even if it was futile.

But instead of killing her, he released her arm.

Maya stumbled back, the sudden loss of his grip nearly sending her to the ground. She caught herself, glaring up at him, her body tense and ready to flee again. What is he doing? The confusion hit her like a wave.

His smirk returned, though it was softer now, less mocking. “I’m not here to kill you. At least, not yet.” His voice was low, almost thoughtful, as if he was considering her, weighing his options.

Her mind whirled. Not here to kill me? What the hell does that mean? She took another step back, her eyes darting to the lake. Could I still make a run for it? No. He’d catch her again. She knew that now.

But why isn’t he killing me? The question gnawed at her, along with another that made her stomach churn: What does he want?

“Why are you doing this?” The words slipped out before she could stop them, her voice sharper than she intended.

For a moment, he didn’t answer. His gaze flickered to the lake behind her, then back to her face. “You stood out,” he said finally, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “Your eyes... they’re not like the others. Not like mine.”

Maya’s heart skipped a beat. Of course. The Zaxians didn’t have blue eyes. She had seen them up close before, their eyes always dark, their gaze always cold and calculating. But her eyes—her human eyes—must have caught his attention. So, what? That’s why he’s after me?

“Is that it?” she demanded, her fear bubbling over into anger. “You’re after me because of my eyes?”

His smirk deepened. “Among other things.”

Other things? Her stomach twisted. What else could he possibly want from her? No, I don’t want to know. But she couldn’t stop the thoughts from spiraling, each one darker than the last. What if he’s like the others? What if I’m just another experiment? Another test subject?

The thought made her blood run cold. She had seen what they did to humans. She had seen the bodies left behind, twisted and broken, hollowed out from the inside.

I won’t let that happen to me.

Without warning, she darted to the side, sprinting toward the lake once more. She didn’t care that it was a reckless move, or that he would probably catch her again. She couldn’t stand being this close to him, to his calculating eyes and taunting words.

The cold water hit her legs as she reached the edge, and just as she was about to dive in, his hand clamped down on her arm again, dragging her back with a force that knocked the wind from her lungs.

Damn it! Not again! She struggled against him, every muscle in her body screaming for freedom, but it was no use. His grip was unbreakable.

“Not so fast,” he growled, pulling her closer. His voice was harder now, the amusement gone.

Her breath came in short gasps, her heart pounding in her chest. She twisted in his grasp, trying to pry his fingers from her arm, but it was futile.

Why won’t he just let me go? The thought echoed in her mind, along with the cold realization that there was no escaping him.

“I’m not going to kill you,” he said, his voice lower now, almost thoughtful again. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Maya thought she saw something flicker in his gaze. Something that wasn’t cruelty or malice. But before she could make sense of it, he spoke again.

“Not yet, anyway.”

Maya clenched her jaw, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and rage. She was too close to him, too close to the one thing she despised the most—feeling helpless. The grip he had on her was like an iron shackle, and every second she spent in his hold felt like a betrayal of everything she’d survived.

No. Not again. I won’t let this happen again.

Her mind flashed back to the last time she’d been captured—dragged into one of their camps, nothing more than entertainment for the Zaxians. They had watched her struggle, laughing as they toyed with her like a cat with a mouse. She’d barely escaped with her life, but not before they had taken everything from her. Everything except her will to fight.

I survived them once. I’ll do it again.

“You think you’ve got me?” she hissed, glaring up at him. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

His brow arched, but his grip didn’t loosen. He seemed amused by her defiance, like he expected her to beg for mercy instead of spitting fire. “Is that so?” His voice was calm, almost casual, as if her resistance was nothing more than an annoyance to him.

But Maya wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of thinking she was beaten. Not when her sister was still out there, somewhere, waiting for her. I made a promise. I won’t stop until I find her. She would burn this whole world to the ground if it meant keeping that promise.

She narrowed her eyes, trying to focus on any possible escape, even though every rational part of her brain told her there was none. But Maya had never been good at giving up.

Think, Maya. Don’t be stupid this time. Don’t just run headlong into the fire. There’s always a way.

“You must really think I’m something special,” she said, forcing her voice to stay steady even though her heart was racing. “To waste this much time on me.”

He didn’t reply immediately, his gaze never leaving hers. The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable, until he finally spoke. “Special? No. Stubborn, maybe. And reckless. That’s going to get you killed one of these days.”

Maya smirked, despite the situation. “Hasn’t yet.”

The memory of her last escape came flooding back—she had been half-starved, her body broken from days of torment, but she had crawled through the mud, bleeding and battered, until she was free. She had felt the cold seep into her bones, the laughter of the Zaxians echoing in her ears as they watched her drag herself away. They had left her for dead, assuming she wouldn’t survive the night.

But she had.

“I’ve been left to die before,” she said, her voice hardening. “I survived then, and I’ll survive you, too.”

The smirk faded from his lips. For the first time, she saw a flicker of something in his eyes—something darker. Maybe it was frustration. Maybe it was recognition. Either way, it only fueled her determination. You’re not invincible. You’re not untouchable. You’re just another obstacle.

His grip on her arm tightened, but Maya barely flinched. She wasn’t about to show him an ounce of weakness. Not after everything she’d endured.

“You survived?” he asked, his voice quieter now, as if he was testing her. “From one of my kind?”

“Not one,” she corrected, her voice sharp. “A dozen. They thought I was amusing, something to laugh at while I tried to crawl away. They didn’t think I was worth the trouble of finishing off.” Her eyes hardened, ice-blue and unyielding. “Big mistake.”

For a moment, he didn’t respond. His gaze swept over her, as though reassessing her in light of this new information. Maybe he had thought she was just another human—fragile, scared, and easy to control. But Maya was none of those things. She was still here, standing in front of him, alive and breathing, because she was too damn stubborn to die.

“That explains a lot,” he said finally, his voice cool again, though there was a slight edge to it now. “No wonder you keep running headfirst into danger. You think you’re invincible.”

Maya glared at him, her defiance rising again. “I know how to survive.”

The silence between them grew heavy, but Maya didn’t waver. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of thinking he had the upper hand. She wouldn’t let him see her fear. She wouldn’t let anyone see it—not ever again.

“Then survive this.” His voice was softer, but it carried a weight that sent a chill down her spine.

In one fluid motion, he pulled her even closer, his hand shifting from her arm to her wrist, and for a brief moment, their faces were inches apart. His gaze locked onto hers, unblinking, unyielding.

Maya’s pulse quickened, not from fear but from the sudden realization that he wasn’t going to let her go. Not easily. She could see it in his eyes—he was assessing her, calculating, weighing his options. And whatever he was planning, it wasn’t going to be simple.

Her mind raced. Think. Think. There had to be a way out. She couldn’t just stand here, waiting for him to decide her fate. She wouldn’t.

Without warning, she shifted her weight, her body tensing for another strike. She wasn’t done fighting. Not yet. Not ever.

But before she could make her move, his grip tightened again, pinning her in place. His other hand reached up, brushing against her cheek—light, barely a touch, but enough to send a shiver through her.

Maya clenched her jaw, refusing to let the contact affect her. He’s playing with you. Don’t give in. Don’t let him think he’s won.

“Why so quiet now?” His voice was low, almost a murmur. “Where’s all that fire gone?”

“I’m saving it,” she growled. “For when I need it most.”

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Maya thought she saw a flicker of something else behind his gaze. Something dangerous. Something curious. But whatever it was, it disappeared as quickly as it came.

“You’re different,” he said softly, almost to himself. “I’ve seen hundreds of humans, but none like you.”

Maya’s chest tightened. Different? How? Because I fight back? Because I won’t break? Or is it because of something else? She had no idea what he meant, but the way he was looking at her now made her skin crawl.

“And you think that makes me special?” she spat, her voice harsh. “You think that means you can use me for whatever twisted experiment you’re running?”

His gaze darkened, but he didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he let go of her wrist, his hand lingering for a fraction of a second before pulling back completely. “Maybe. Maybe not. But you’re not going anywhere just yet.”

Maya’s mind raced as she took a step back, now free from his grip but still far from escape. She needed a plan—needed to figure out what he wanted, why he was still toying with her instead of handing her over to the Zaxians. What does he see in me? What does he want?

But one thing was clear: whatever his reasons, she wasn’t going to let him have the satisfaction of thinking he had won. Not today. Not ever.

Maya’s eyes narrowed as she took a step back, putting just enough distance between them to study him more closely. She hadn’t had the chance before, but now, with the fire out and the silence between them growing heavier, she let herself look—really look—at the man who had just hunted her down so effortlessly.

He was tall, easily over six feet, with a lean but powerful build. His tactical gear clung to his body, every inch of him sharp and efficient, as if he were crafted for one purpose: to capture and kill. His movements were fluid, almost too smooth for a human—there was something predatory about the way he held himself, like a beast barely restrained. But it wasn’t just his physique that put her on edge.

His face—sharp, angular, and unyielding—carried a cold, distant expression, the kind that gave nothing away. His dark hair, cropped short, framed a face that was too handsome for someone who did such ugly work. High cheekbones, a strong jawline, and eyes that were as black as the void. Eyes that had seen more than their share of suffering. She could see it in the way his gaze settled on her, not just studying, but calculating—measuring her, like she was an equation he hadn’t quite solved yet.

He doesn’t look like a killer, but he is. There’s something too calm about him. Like none of this matters. Maya’s eyes flicked over the details—his gear, the holster at his side, the weapons strapped to his back. Everything about him screamed control. Precision. But there was something else, too. Something beneath the cold exterior, something that flickered in his eyes for just a second when he looked at her.

What is it? she wondered. Regret? Or just curiosity? She couldn’t tell, but she knew one thing for certain: he wasn’t like the others. He wasn’t like the monsters who had left her to die.

“Stop staring,” he said suddenly, his voice cutting through her thoughts. “You won’t figure me out just by looking.”

Maya tensed, realizing she had been caught observing him. She forced herself to stand straighter, raising her chin just a little. I don’t need to figure you out. I just need to survive you.

“Maybe not,” she muttered, her voice low but defiant. “But I’m learning.”

He let out a soft, humorless chuckle. “We’ll see how much that helps you.”