C4: Flight or fight

The next morning Zara woke to the smell of coffee and something sweet. She lay in the comfortable bed for a moment, staring at the wooden ceiling. Last night’s conversation by the fire kept playing in her mind. Elias’s words, the way he looked at her, the pull she felt. It was dangerous how quickly he was getting under her skin.

She dressed in the clothes that had been left for her — comfortable hiking pants and a warm top — and walked to the main area. Elias stood by the large glass windows, already dressed for the outdoors. He turned when he heard her and gave a small smile.

“Morning,” he said. “Sleep well?”

“Well enough.” She accepted the cup of coffee he offered. “You really meant the hiking part.”

“I did.” He watched her. “Only if you want to. No pressure.”

Zara took a sip. Part of her wanted to stay safely inside. Another part was curious about this man who had pulled her out of her normal life so suddenly.

“Fine,” she said. “But if I hate it, you owe me a proper city dinner when we get back.”

“Deal.”

They ate a simple breakfast together. Elias was quiet but attentive, making sure she had everything she needed. After they finished, they stepped outside. The rain had cleared completely. The mountains stretched out fresh and green under a bright sky.

The trail started gentle. Zara stayed close behind Elias as the path climbed. The air was cool and clean. Birds called from the trees and the sound of water running somewhere nearby filled the quiet.

After a while the path grew steeper. Zara’s legs started to burn but she kept going. Elias slowed his pace to match hers.

“You are doing well,” he said.

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

He glanced back with a small smile. “I am not surprised. You seem like someone who does not give up easily.”

They stopped at a viewpoint later in the morning. The land spread out below them in waves of green and rock. Waterfalls glittered in the distance. Zara stood there catching her breath and felt something inside her loosen.

“I organise parties for a living,” she said. “Big events, important people, everything planned down to the last flower. This is… different.”

Elias stood beside her. “That is why I built the camp here. My world is mines, contracts, people who want pieces of what I have. Here there is none of that.”

She looked at him. “It must be lonely at the top.”

“Sometimes.” He met her eyes. “But it is quieter when you have the right person with you.”

Zara felt her cheeks warm. She turned back to the view before he could see it too clearly.

They continued walking. At one rocky section Elias offered his hand to help her. She took it. His grip was firm and warm. For a second longer than necessary they stood close. The air between them felt charged again, the same way it had at the party and by the fire last night.

In the afternoon they found a flat spot near a small stream. Elias had packed a simple lunch. They sat on a blanket and ate while the sun warmed the rocks around them.

“Why did you really bring me here, Elias?” Zara asked quietly.

He looked at the water for a moment. “Because after that kiss I wanted more than one night. I wanted time where no one could interrupt. Time to see if what I felt was real.”

“And is it?”

He turned to face her fully. “Yes. It is.”

Zara’s heart beat hard. She wanted to believe him. She also wanted to protect herself. This man moved too fast and lived in a world she barely understood.

They made it back to the camp as the sun began to set. Both of them were tired but the day had left Zara feeling lighter. Closer to him.

That evening they sat by the fire again. Elias had brought out sticks and a bag of marshmallows. The flames crackled softly as they roasted them slowly.

Zara laughed when hers caught fire. “I am terrible at this.”

“You are perfect at it,” Elias said, his voice warm.

She looked at him across the fire and felt the pull again, stronger now.

Later that night the fire had burned lower. They sat outside on the wide deck under the stars. The embers glowed as they roasted the last few marshmallows. The mountain air was cool and quiet. Zara felt relaxed, warmer than she should toward the man sitting across from her.

Then the quiet shattered.

Five men stepped out of the darkness beyond the firelight. They moved with purpose.

Elias rose instantly. “Zara, stay behind me.”

One of the men gave a low laugh. “Van der Merwe. Fancy camp you got here.”

Elias’s stance changed. These were not random thieves. They knew his name. Someone had sent them.

“What do you want?” Elias asked. His voice was ice cold.

The leader shrugged. “Just delivering a message. Stay out of certain deals. This is your only warning.”

Everything exploded at once.

Two men charged Elias. He met them head-on. He fought with raw and vicious efficiency. A brutal punch dropped one. A kick sent another staggering. Elias moved like a man who had survived worse than this.

Zara grabbed the heavy metal poker beside the fire and swung it hard at the nearest attacker. “Get the hell away from us!”

She hit one man in the side. He cursed and backhanded her, but she kept fighting. She kicked and swung and refused to go down easily.

The fight turned fast. Elias was winning. He had already put two men on the ground and was moving toward a third with deadly focus.

“Shit. He is too strong,” one of the remaining men snarled. “Grab the girl! Use her!”

Two of them lunged for Zara. She fought wildly, but they overpowered her and dragged her away from the fire. They used her as collateral to cover their escape.

“Elias!” she shouted. She struggled against their grip.

Elias turned. Rage like she had never seen flashed across his face when he saw them taking her. He finished the man in front of him with terrifying speed and sprinted after the two who had Zara.

They ran down the rocky path toward the river below the camp. Zara kept fighting every step and slowed them down.

“She is dead weight,” one of the thugs growled.

A gunshot cracked through the night. Pain burst in Zara’s side. She cried out. The second man kicked her hard and sent her tumbling down the steep bank into the dark rushing water.

Elias roared in fury.

He reached the edge just in time to see her hit the river. One of the thugs turned back. He smirked and gave a mocking salute.

“Till next time, Van der Merwe.”

Elias did not hesitate. He jumped into the cold churning water after her. The current was strong, but he swam desperately until his hands found her. She was limp. Blood mixed with the water.

His security team, already alerted, reached them fast. A chopper thundered overhead. Its spotlight cut through the darkness.

Elias held Zara tightly against him in the water. One hand pressed hard to her bleeding side.

“Stay with me,” he whispered. His voice was raw. “Zara, please. Stay with me.”

He kept praying under his breath as strong hands pulled them up toward the hovering chopper. He did not let go of her even for a second.