Chapter 9: Betrayal in the Dark

A week later, Elara found herself tailing a young rebel named Jax, who had been acting suspiciously, disappearing at odd hours. She followed him through the wasteland, her footsteps silent as she trailed him to a hidden alcove where he met with an Ascendant soldier.

Elara's breath caught in her throat as she watched them speak in hushed tones, exchanging information. Rage filled her, and she barely suppressed the urge to confront him on the spot. Instead, she crept back to the bunker, her mind racing.

Raya was waiting when she returned. Elara told her everything, and a grim look crossed Raya's face. "Jax was always ambitious. He must have thought he could play both sides."

The next morning, they confronted Jax, but he denied everything, even as they revealed they'd seen him. He begged for mercy, but Raya's eyes were cold.

"We cannot risk the lives of everyone here for one person's greed."

Elara's stomach churned as Raya passed judgment. Jax was taken from the camp, never to be seen again. The betrayal left a scar on the rebels, and Elara felt the weight of his absence every day.