Whether Wallace would comply remained uncertain. She could only hope he’d keep his word.

Jaylene fell silent afterward. Exhausted from the journey and hauling luggage, she was dead tired. After a few words, she leaned back and slept, mumbling: “Wake me when it’s time.”

Alarieka saw all three were asleep. Though it was her usual bedtime, she felt wide awake, alert. Her eyes remained fixed on the airport entrance. An inexplicable sense of foreboding grew within her, anxiety gnawing at her heart.

Ten minutes before boarding, Alarieka prepared to wake them for check-in. Just as she reached to shake Jaylene awake, she instinctively looked toward the entrance.

Suddenly, her heart raced violently—as if something ominous was unfolding beyond her sight. Two potted plants flanked the doors. A chilly wind rustled through their leaves, making them tremble incessantly. Alarieka’s hand froze mid-air. Even though nothing was happening at the airport entrance and no one was coming in, her gaze remained fixed there, unmoving. As if any moment now—any moment—someone would walk through those doors.

When that premonition peaked, Alarieka shot to her feet. She immediately roused Jaylene and the others, grabbing luggage while they were still rubbing sleep from their eyes. Her voice was calm yet urgent: “Move. Boarding time. Now.”

Jaylene nodded groggily. “Okay…” She saw Alarieka’s haste but asked no questions. Waking her grandma instantly, she folded the portable lounger and followed Alarieka to the check-in counter.

Tamika had long mastered the art of silence over speech. She never questioned Alarieka’s reasons throughout, simply following her lead. With one foot injured, Alarieka could only manage lighter bags, limping forward. Jaylene and the others trailed behind with suitcases. Tamika wanted to take Alarieka’s load, but her own hands were full. Jaylene, pulling a suitcase while supporting her grandma, couldn’t move faster or relieve Alarieka either.

Suddenly, Alarieka stopped.

The three behind her halted abruptly. Jaylene asked, puzzled, “Why stop?”

Alarieka didn’t answer.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The predawn airport was silent. Abruptly, rapid, measured footsteps echoed from the entrance—the clearest, sharpest sound cutting through the announcements. The footsteps drew nearer, growing denser. Each step pulsed with the walker’s restless agitation.

Alarieka didn’t turn. Yet the sudden thunder of her own heartbeat told her exactly who approached. Her breathing hitched slightly. Her grip tightened on the duffel bag.

Tamika asked, “Alarieka? What’s wrong?”

Alarieka drew a deep breath. Still, she didn’t look back. Footsteps remained distant from them.

Alarieka closed her eyes briefly, reopening them with steely resolve. She stepped forward, murmuring: “Hurry!” Without looking back, she quickened her pace toward the check-in counter.

When intuition grows this strong, it ceases to be intuition—it becomes undeniable reality. Her eyes darkened as she limped toward the counter, dragging her luggage bag. Jaylene Irwin exchanged confused glances while Tamika Coldberg followed closely, whispering: “Alarieka, what’s wrong?”

Alarieka panted: “We must hurry. There’s no time.”

“Alarieka!”

Rapid footsteps closed in as a furious roar thundered behind them. Alarieka’s pupils contracted violently, her heartbeat accelerating anew.

Jaylene gasped: “It’s Kieran Argent!”

Alarieka hissed through gritted teeth: “Ignore him. Keep moving.”

Tamika frowned: “How? Kieran shouldn’t be here. Wallace Argent promised to cover for us! Did he fail?”

Jaylene watched Alarieka’s retreating back with deep concern, muttering: “And he arrived impossibly fast.”

Alarieka clenched her jaw.

Indeed. She too wondered—how did Kieran find her? How did he get here so quickly? Wallace Argent had sworn she’d reach the capital safely, assuring her Kieran would never learn her route or destination. Yet within hours, Kieran had tracked her down. Given Wallace’s influence and connections, concealing her whereabouts should’ve been effortless.