CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY ONE – BROKEN BUT NOT TAKEN DOWN

For several long, agonizing moments, the world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of pain and disorientation. Jasmine could taste the coppery tang of blood on her tongue, shards of glass biting into her skin like a thousand minuscule lances. Gradually, her senses reasserted themselves, and she became aware of Gordon's voice, low and urgent in her ear. "...get up, Jasmine! We gotta move, now!" With a groan, she forced her eyes open, blinking away the haze of shock and disorientation that had momentarily consumed her. Gordon loomed above, his expression a rictus of grim determination as he hauled her bodily to her feet. "Can you walk?" he demanded, his gaze flickering over her battered form in a quick assessment. Jasmine gave a shaky nod, her legs trembling beneath her as she fought to regain her equilibrium. Every inch of her body screamed in protest, but the urgency in Gordon's eyes brooked no argument. They had to keep moving, had to put as much distance between themselves and this