CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN - The Escape Plan

The sounds of pursuit grew louder, punctuated by the sharp crack of branches being broken and the occasional bark of a dog. Mason's heart sank; their odds of escaping had just plummeted. As they rounded a bend in the stream, Mason spotted a small cave entrance partially hidden by a curtain of vines. Without hesitation, he guided Claire towards it. "In here," he urged, helping her scramble into the narrow opening. They huddled in the damp darkness, trying to quiet their labored breathing. Outside, the sounds of the search party grew closer. Mason held Claire close, feeling her trembling against him. "Well, well," a gruff voice suddenly called out. "Looks like our guests decided to take an unscheduled tour of the island." Mason's blood ran cold. They'd been found. Rough hands grabbed them, dragging them out of their hiding place. They blinked in the harsh glare of flashlights, finding themselves surrounded by a group of armed men. At the center stood a tall, imposing figure with a