Jake's thoughts drifted back to his life before the canyon as he sat in the dim, musty room, the traveler's silent gaze heavy on him. The pain in his side throbbed, but it was nothing compared to the ache of memories flooding back—memories he hadn't known he still possessed.
He remembered the city, its towering buildings glinting in the sunlight, the noise of traffic and people, the smell of coffee and exhaust. He remembered his partner, Miya, before the canyon had twisted her into a stranger. She had been sharp-witted, quick to laugh, always ready with a plan. They had worked together for years, chasing down criminals, building a life. He remembered the day they'd been assigned to track down Dirty Joy, a notorious figure whose trail had led them into the canyon.
Jake closed his eyes, picturing Miya's face before the loop had taken her memories. Her dark eyes, the way she'd brush her hair behind her ear when she was thinking, the determined set of her jaw when she was on a case. He remembered their last night in the city, sitting in a diner, sharing a milkshake and talking about the future. They'd never imagined they'd end up here, trapped in a nightmare.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice.
"You're bleeding," the traveler said, his tone calm and measured.
Jake blinked, startled by the stranger's sudden speech. He looked down at his side, where the makeshift bandage was already soaked through. He felt lightheaded, his vision swimming.
"I can help you," the traveler continued. "We can escape."
Jake studied the man, searching his face for any hint of deception. The traveler was thin, his eyes dark and intense, his expression unreadable. He didn't look like a threat, but in the canyon, appearances were deceiving.
"Why would you help me?" Jake asked, his voice hoarse.
The traveler shrugged. "Because I don't belong here either. And neither do you."
Jake hesitated. He didn't trust the traveler, but he knew he couldn't stay in this room. He needed medical attention, and he needed to get out of the canyon .
"Lila will help" Jake said
"you don't have much time left" Traveler
"Yeah, But How?" Jake asked.
The traveler leaned forward, his voice low. "There's a truck. The innkeeper's old truck. They use it to bring supplies from town. It's the only vehicle that leaves the canyon."
Jake frowned. "A truck? That was here all this time?"
The traveler nodded. "Yes. But you never thought to use it. None of you did."
Jake's mind reeled. It made sense. He'd seen the truck before, parked behind the inn, but he'd never considered taking it. The idea of leaving the canyon had never crossed his mind....until now.
"We need the key," Jake said.
The traveler nodded. "When someone opens the door, we rush out. Take the key. Go to the truck."
Jake's heart pounded. It was a desperate plan, but it was all they had. He looked at his wound, at the blood staining his shirt. He couldn't wait much longer.
"What about your backpack?" Jake asked. "Your notebook?"
The traveler's face darkened. "I need them. But we can't wait. If we stay, they'll catch us."
Jake nodded. He understood. The backpack and notebook were important, but survival came first.
They waited in silence, listening for the sound of footsteps outside the door. The minutes stretched on, each one longer than the last. Jake's side burned, his breath shallow. He tried to stay alert, to focus on the plan.
Finally, after what felt like hours, they heard the sound of the lock turning. The door creaked open, and a sliver of light spilled into the room.
Jake tensed, ready to move. The traveler met his eyes, nodding once.
The door swung open, and a figure stepped inside - Luke, the innkeeper, his face grim. He carried a tray with two bowls of stew and a jug of water.
Before Luke could react, Jake and the traveler sprang into action. Jake lunged forward, shoving Luke aside. The innkeeper stumbled, dropping the tray with a clatter. The traveler grabbed Jake's arm, pulling him toward the door.
"Key!" Jake shouted.
The traveler reached for Luke's belt, where the truck key hung on a chain. He snatched it, then pulled Jake through the door.
They burst into the hallway, the innkeeper shouting behind them. Jake's side screamed with pain, but he ignored it, focusing on the exit. They ran through the inn, past startled settlers, out into the bright morning light.
The truck was parked behind the inn, its rusted body weathered but intact. Jake and the traveler sprinted toward it, their footsteps pounding on the hard-packed earth.
Behind them, the settlers were shouting, their voices rising in alarm. Jake didn't look back. He climbed into the driver's seat, the traveler jumping in beside him.
Jake fumbled with the key, his hands shaking. The engine roared to life, the sound loud and reassuring.
As they pulled away, Jake glanced in the rear view mirror. Miya and the other settlers were running after them, their faces twisted with anger and fear. Miya's eyes were wild, her mouth open in a scream Jake couldn't hear.
He turned his attention back to the road, his grip tight on the steering wheel. The truck bounced over the rough terrain, the canyon walls looming on either side.
The traveler was breathing hard beside him. "We made it," he said, his voice full of disbelief.
Jake didn't answer. He focused on the road ahead, on the hope of escape. He knew the settlers wouldn't give up easily. He knew the aliens or whatever was controlling the canyon wouldn't let them go without a fight.
But for now, they were free.
The truck rumbled down the dirt road, kicking up dust in its wake. The canyon stretched out before them, its twists and turns familiar and yet strange. Jake had lived here for so long, but now, for the first time, he felt like he was seeing it with new eyes.
He thought about Miya, about the settlers, about the device in his ear. He wondered if he would ever see her again, if she would ever remember who she was.
The traveler shifted beside him. "We need to find a town," he said. "You need a doctor."
Jake nodded. He knew he couldn't keep driving for long. The pain in his side was getting worse, his vision blurring at the edges.
"There's a town about thirty miles east," the traveler said. "That's where they get the supplies."
Jake focused on the road, on the hope of help. He thought about the city, about his life before the canyon. He thought about Miya, about the last time he'd seen her smile.
He didn't know if he would ever get that life back. But for now, he was moving forward. He was escaping the loop.
The truck sped on, the canyon fading behind them. The settlers' shouts grew distant, then disappeared altogether. The only sound was the rumble of the engine and the wind rushing through the open windows.
Jake's mind wandered back to the city, to the life he'd left behind. He remembered the diner, the milkshakes, Miya's laugh. He remembered the case that had brought them here, the sting operation that had gone wrong.
He wondered if he would ever see her again. If she would ever remember him.
The traveler was silent beside him, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Jake knew they weren't safe yet. The canyon was behind them, but the danger wasn't over.
He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his jaw set. He would get them to town. He would get help. And then, maybe, he would find a way to break the loop for good.
The truck rolled on, the road stretching out before them, the future uncertain but full of hope.