—They look like military personnel. Maybe they're out here training —Ethan said, watching the uniformed team approach the tower.
They carried full tactical equipment and moved with precision and coordination, making their professional training obvious.
They must have working communications equipment, he thought. That could be their way out.
—Then what are we waiting for? They must have a radio. We can ask for help —Jesse said, her voice excited, almost desperate at the prospect of escaping the nightmare.
Ethan looked at her for a moment, keeping his composure, then replied firmly:
—I'll go. You stay here. We don't know who they are or what they're doing.
Jesse opened her mouth to protest, but Ethan's determined gaze stopped her. He had already made his decision. Carly sat on the floor, pale and staring blankly ahead. She said nothing, only nodding slightly, too exhausted to argue.
Ethan adjusted his shirt, stained with dirt and blood, and ran a hand over his face, trying to clear his head. Then he began descending the long metal staircase, which creaked beneath his weight. Each step echoed through the empty structure, accompanied by the wind whistling between the rusty bars.
After a few minutes, his boots finally touched solid ground. The air beneath the tower felt heavier, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine.
The soldiers had already spotted him. Ethan raised a hand in greeting, but he had barely taken two steps toward them when they lifted their weapons in unison and aimed at his chest. Red laser dots shifted across his torso, making the threat unmistakable.
—Identify yourself! —shouted the man who appeared to be their leader.
His voice carried an authority that left no room for hesitation.
Ethan's heart quickened. Keeping his hands raised, he steadied his breathing and spoke calmly, careful to avoid any sudden movements.
—I'm Ethan Morgan. A police officer from Banshee, Pennsylvania.
He took a quick breath before continuing.
—My friends and I were attacked by a…
He hesitated, searching for a way to describe what they had seen without sounding insane.
—A tribe of cannibals. Some kind of feral community living in these mountains. We barely escaped. We took shelter in the tower, but we're stranded. We have no way to contact anyone outside.
The soldiers kept their weapons raised. The man facing him looked exactly like David Boreanaz from Bones, though a little older, with a hardened expression. He studied Ethan closely, his gaze making it clear that he didn't trust strangers easily.
—Where are the people you're talking about? —he asked sharply, holding Ethan's gaze.
—Up in the tower —Ethan replied, nodding slightly toward the metal structure behind him.
The leader continued watching him. After a tense silence, he signaled with one hand.
—Alpha 2, Alpha 3. Go up to the tower and verify his story.
Two soldiers immediately moved toward the ladder, keeping their weapons ready. Ethan watched them climb with practiced efficiency, each covering the other's advance. Their movements were firm and precise, and they soon disappeared into the shadows above.
The leader kept his eyes on Ethan, studying him as though he could distinguish every truth from every lie. Time dragged, the silence broken only by the wind and the tower's occasional creaking. Ethan remained motionless with his hands raised, hoping Jesse, Carly, and Daria would stay calm and avoid any rash movements.
The air seemed to grow colder, as though the tension had chilled everything around them. Ethan knew any wrong move could be interpreted as a threat. All he could do was remain calm and wait for the soldiers to confirm his account.
The minutes felt like hours before the radios finally crackled.
—Alpha 1, this is Alpha 3. Three civilians confirmed in the tower. They appear to be in shock, but they're alive. Their accounts match.
The soldier's tinny voice came through the leader's earpiece.
The man nodded slightly, though he remained alert. He lowered his weapon a little, still ready to react.
—Well, Mr. Morgan, you're lucky you ran into us —he said—. I'm calling base for instructions. Stay where you are.
Ethan nodded, still feeling the weight of the situation. Though the soldiers were no longer aiming directly at him, the tension remained. There was no room for error.
The leader, whose tactical vest bore a patch reading Sergeant Hayes, stepped back a couple of paces. Keeping a safe distance, he took out his long-range radio and adjusted the frequency.
—This is Sergeant Hayes, Alpha 1. We have a situation on the northeastern mountain perimeter. We've encountered a civilian who reports being attacked by a hostile group of cannibals. Requesting instructions. Two of our men are verifying his account with additional civilians in a nearby tower.
The radio hissed with static for several seconds. Wind filled the silence as Hayes waited. Ethan could still feel the other soldiers watching him, prepared to act if anything went wrong.
Finally, a clear, authoritative voice answered.
—Alpha 1, this is Base. Copy. Proceed with caution. If the civilian reports are confirmed and the group presents a threat, you're cleared to neutralize them. Repeat: if the threat is real, eliminate hostile forces. Prioritize civilian safety.
A chill ran down Ethan's spine. He was relieved they were taking him seriously, but the order to neutralize the threat left little doubt about their intentions. They were prepared to kill anyone they considered hostile.
Sergeant Hayes lowered the radio and looked at him again, scrutinizing him as though weighing the reliability of every word.
—Morgan, here's what's going to happen —he said bluntly—. We're investigating what's going on in these mountains. If what you've told us is true, we'll deal with those cannibals. But if you're lying, or this turns out to be a trap, we won't hesitate to act.
—Everything I told you is true —Ethan replied calmly, though urgency edged his voice—. Those people… they're not normal. They're violent. Savage. There should be more than twenty of them. I can take you straight to their camp.
Hayes watched him for another second, then turned to his team.
—All right, gentlemen. Change of objective. We're ordered to investigate and eliminate any confirmed hostile threat. Alpha 5, secure the civilians here.
Ethan felt both relief and anxiety. At least Daria, Jesse, and Carly would be protected, but the danger hadn't passed. The cannibals were still out there, waiting for another chance to attack.
Hayes stepped closer, his gaze cold and calculating.
—You're coming with us. If you know the route and where those cannibals are, you'll be useful. But try anything, and I won't hesitate to leave you behind.
Ethan nodded. He had little choice. Caught between two dangerous forces, his only way forward was with the soldiers.
—Understood.
The team quickly prepared, adjusting their weapons and checking their equipment.
They began moving back to regroup, still cautious. Ethan watched as they readied themselves for what came next.
—Call me Jason. Here. This is for you.
Without further explanation, Jason removed a multipurpose backpack and handed it to Ethan. It held an HK417 rifle with a sixteen-inch barrel, while a ballistic vest hung from the outside.
Inside were tactical accessories, ammunition, and a FAST helmet fitted with ComTac I hearing protection.
—All right. We've got work to do. Let's move —said one of the soldiers beside Hayes, a solidly built man of average height whose vest bore the name Perry.
—Alpha 5 stays with the civilians. Command wants every hostile neutralized if the threat is confirmed. We need to set up an ambush.
Jason spoke firmly, then gestured behind him. Two team members nodded and ran down the slope to begin preparing.
Ethan nodded to show he understood. Keeping his pistol in his waistband, he transferred his belongings to his hiking backpack and handed it to Daria. She slung it over her shoulders.
—Be careful. I'll be waiting for you —she said before kissing him firmly.
With the remaining SEAL escorting them, Ethan accompanied Daria, Jesse, and Carly to the tower's staircase. The women climbed first, offering him gestures of thanks and farewell. He had done everything possible to keep them alive, and their looks conveyed more than words could. They knew they owed him their lives.
Once they were safely settled above, Alpha 5 climbed up to join them. A position like this would be easier to defend.
Ethan quickly put on his equipment, adjusted the backpack, and mounted a red-dot sight on the HK417. After checking everything again, he looked at Jason and nodded to show he was ready.
Watching the speed of his movements, Jason nodded approvingly.
—You seem experienced. Have you had military training? —he asked, observing Ethan's practiced hands as he adjusted his gear.
Ethan glanced at him without immediately answering, still focused on checking his weapon. Jason continued without waiting for a response.
—One thing you need to understand —he said, his tone serious and direct—. From this point on, you're under my command. You follow my orders. Clear?
Ethan raised his eyes to meet the leader's unwavering gaze and nodded firmly.
—Understood.
He gave another firm nod. He had no intention of trying to impress the SEALs. He knew exactly who they were: elite soldiers, hardened by brutal combat, men who had survived dangerous situations together. It was time to move, with Ethan leading the way.
He guided them along a narrow, winding path toward the cannibal village. Dense vegetation surrounded the group, but his eyes kept scanning their surroundings.
—We're getting close —Ethan murmured.
He stopped briefly to listen. The forest seemed unnaturally quiet, as though everything around them sensed the approaching danger.
As they advanced, he noticed large, uneven footprints in the soil, evidence that the cannibals had passed through recently.
—They've been through here —he whispered—. Keep moving.
Before long, they reached a hill overlooking the village. The sight was disturbing: cabins built from wood and branches stood beneath the dark trees. In the center, a smoking fire illuminated figures moving around it, laughing and celebrating.
For a moment, Ethan felt as though time had stopped. Adrenaline coursed through him as he considered their next move. There was no room for error.
—Get ready —he said firmly—. This is it.
At Jason's orders, four SEALs spread out and concealed themselves, two beside the river on the left and two in the forest on the right. Ethan remained with Jason, taking cover behind rocks on the hill.
An acrid stench hung in the air, mingling with smoke from the village's central fire. Concealed by rocks and thick brush, Ethan and Jason watched the scene below while the others observed from their positions. Firelight cast shifting shadows across faces as savage as the actions unfolding around them.
Several cannibals laughed and screamed in a frenzy around the fire. Others tended what appeared to be human flesh on a spit. The bloody meat sizzled over the flames, sparks rising into the air. The nauseating smell made Ethan's stomach turn.
—Alpha 3, do you have visual confirmation of Officer Morgan's account? —Jason asked over the radio, his voice cold and measured.
—Confirmed —one of the SEALs answered in a grave whisper.
Ethan could feel the tension running through the team.
—His report checks out. They're cooking human flesh —Jason said, his gaze fixed on the fire.
Determination hardened his voice.
—What's the plan? —Ethan asked, keeping his voice steady despite the horror before them.
Jason checked the surrounding positions.
—First, we need a distraction. Alpha 2, Alpha 3, take your firing positions. Once you're set, we move.
Ethan and the others acknowledged the order. After one last look at the gruesome scene, they prepared to act, their training guiding their movements as the fire continued crackling below.
Soon, an engine sounded through the woods, loud as a tractor. Two battered Toyota trucks appeared, looking like vehicles dragged out of the war in Syria, almost as decrepit as the trailer Ethan had seen at the gas station.
Eight cannibals rode in the trucks, along with two drivers—ten in total. As soon as they climbed out, Jason gave the order.
—Fire.
Two shots cracked through the air. The team emerged from cover and opened fire together.
Within seconds, Ethan had fired two short bursts. When he checked again, no targets were moving.
—Advance.
At Jason's command, three SEALs moved toward the center of the village. As they passed the bodies, they fired a final shot into each one's head.
Ethan followed Jason, privately impressed by their efficiency. They operated like a professional killing machine. Still, he had done well himself, taking down the driver of the first truck.
—What the hell are these things? —one SEAL asked, visibly disturbed.
He lowered his face covering, spat on the ground, and voiced his frustration.
Another, younger team member looked stunned. He touched the wound on his left shoulder, where a crossbow bolt had grazed him.
—I hit him at least three times in the chest.
Although the fight had ended quickly, several of the seemingly pain-insensitive brutes had managed to fight back before dying. At least four had fired or attacked before being killed. Another arrow had been loosed without hitting anyone.
Jason gave his men a sharp look but said nothing, perhaps because Ethan was present.
Ethan pointed to his own head.
—Aim here when you can. They're like zombies. They don't seem to feel pain.
The team searched the surrounding houses but found no more cannibals. The others must have been elsewhere; Ethan had reported more than twenty. Taking in the grim scene, Jason made a quick decision and turned to his team.
—We need support from base. We can't leave any of them alive.
He adjusted his earpiece and called the operations room. The radio crackled as the connection opened.
—Base, this is Alpha Team. Over.
—Alpha Team, this is Base. What's your situation? —the captain answered.
—We have visual confirmation of cannibal activity. Requesting a UAV to locate the remaining hostiles. There are signs they're using other cabins in the area. We need their locations —Jason explained, his jaw tight as he waited.
—Copy, Alpha Team. We're sending a UAV to your position. It'll take a few minutes. Anything else?
Concern was audible in the captain's voice.
—Make sure we get a live feed —Jason replied.
—Understood. UAV inbound. We'll update you with their locations. Base out.
While they waited, the team regrouped and assessed the surrounding terrain. The tension thickened. Everyone knew time mattered.
Before long, they heard the UAV's distinctive buzz. Jason watched it rise overhead and begin searching the vast expanse of trees.
—Base, Alpha 1. Report anything you find.
Urgency edged his voice.
A few minutes later, the radio crackled again.
—Alpha 1, we've located a group near a mine, approximately two kilometers upstream from your current position. There are several cabins nearby.
—Can you assess their condition? —Ray asked, concern in his voice.
—Not yet. We'll keep the UAV overhead and monitor them. Be ready to move quickly. They may need your support soon. Base out.
Ethan walked steadily among the Alpha Team SEALs. Jason led the way, keeping an eye on him while checking the surveillance footage streaming to his tablet. The team remained on high alert. The cannibals were waiting near the mine, ready to attack.
Upon arrival, the five SEALs spread into a semicircle around the broad clearing outside the mine entrance. Jason, Ray, Clay, Sonny, and Trent prepared for the assault. Though Ethan was new to working with them, he had quickly fitted into the operation.
—Take the positions we discussed —Jason ordered—. Ray, cover the rear. Clay, Ethan, Sonny, take the flanks. Trent, you're with me in the center.
Everyone moved immediately. Ethan advanced along one flank, keeping his rifle trained ahead and using cover to conceal himself. The mine was close, with the wooden houses serving as the cannibals' shelter nearby.
One by one, the SEALs reported that they were in position. Tension mounted as they waited for the final order. Jason studied the tablet briefly before speaking.
—Alpha Team, cleared to engage.
They acted with lethal precision. Ethan shot the first cannibal he saw, a burly man attempting to leave the mine. He dropped before he could react. The SEALs moved with practiced agility, like shadows in the night, eliminating their targets one by one.
Cannibals stumbled from the wooden houses in alarm. Some tried to fight back with crude shotguns and crossbows, but they had little chance against the SEAL team. Ethan's rifle cracked, dropping two who were trying to escape into the forest.
Chaos erupted. Screams rose as bullets tore through the air. Jason led the assault with brutal efficiency, cutting down resistance with precise shots.
—Move toward the mine —he ordered as Ethan and Sonny covered the flanks.
The fighting was swift and deadly. Within minutes, the wooden houses were surrounded, and the remaining cannibals struggled in vain to resist. One after another, they fell under the team's fire.
From his position, Ethan spotted the last cannibal hiding inside one of the houses. Only his head showed behind a half-broken door. It was the old man who had deliberately sent them down the wrong road, delivering them to his family as food. Ethan took a breath, settled his sights, and pulled the trigger. The old man's head vanished in a burst of blood. The blood debt had been paid.
The SEALs cleared the houses methodically. They needed few words, their coordination built on years of training and mutual trust. When the last house was cleared, they emerged with grim expressions.
—This is… —Ray murmured, his voice tight as he stared at the dismembered victims hanging inside.
Jason cursed under his breath and ordered them to gather the bodies and burn the houses. Ethan slung his rifle and helped the team pour gasoline through the interiors.
—Burn it all —Jason said, barely containing his anger.
Flames began consuming the bodies and buildings, purging the place of the horror they had witnessed. Just as Clay was about to ignite the final house, Ethan stopped him and went inside. The others exchanged confused looks, then followed out of curiosity.
—What are you looking for? There's nothing here —Jason asked.
The hidden gold Ethan had found earlier had raised his suspicions. If it had come from somewhere nearby, the mine was the obvious source. He quickly connected the details: this was the largest house, likely belonging to the cannibals' leader, who might have kept a private reserve. Finding a small compartment beneath the main room's floor made his pulse quicken.
Ethan reached inside and lifted the lid from a box. His breathing grew faster as he saw its contents.
A small pile of rectangular metal ingots, each smaller than his palm, lay neatly arranged inside. Their golden gleam reflected in his eyes.
—Shit! —Ray exclaimed.
Jason and his team stared at the gold, unable to look away. Its shine reflected in several pairs of eyes. Standing beside Jason, Ray swallowed, picked up an ingot, and examined it closely.
—Each one weighs about fifty ounces. It's not the highest purity, but each bar should be worth around seventy-five thousand dollars. Thirty-nine bars in total. Jason, this is a small fortune.
Ethan said nothing. He began taking out the bars and placing them on a table, initially setting aside five for each of the six Alpha Team members.
At first, none of the SEALs spoke. Tension hung in the room. Jason crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on the gold.
—This isn't an official mission —he said cautiously—. We shouldn't touch it.
Understanding his hesitation, Ethan approached and made his argument calmly.
—I get it. But think about it. We're operating outside the scope of an official mission. We've earned this. If we leave it, someone else will come and take it.
Jason frowned, still uncertain. The others looked reluctant too, though the gold was steadily drawing their attention. Ethan stepped closer and played his final card.
—Listen. Nobody's going to ask for a report about this gold. There's no paperwork, and no superior watching us here. If you want, I can get your shares home discreetly. No questions. After what we've been through, we've earned it with sweat and blood.
Silence held for several seconds. Jason sighed and finally nodded, as though accepting something inevitable. One by one, the others followed.
Ethan said no more. He returned to the table and rearranged the bars into separate shares. Alpha Team had six members, but he made it clear that the division involved more than simple arithmetic.
—Four bars each —he said, arranging five small piles on the table—. You wouldn't have reached this place without me. The extra bar is mine.
Jason didn't argue. The other five nodded without pushing for a debate. Ray, his eyes shining, picked up four bars and put them in his bag.
—My wife's always wanted a bigger house —he said excitedly—. Now we can finally make that happen.
Sonny, the youngest on the team, couldn't stop smiling. He reached for his share, but Jason stopped him with a firm gesture.
—Let Ray hold on to yours —Jason said with a half smile—. I don't want you blowing it all on a stripper.
Ray laughed as he carefully secured his own share.
—Don't worry, Sonny. I'll give it back when you get married. And I promise I won't tell your wife where it's been.
—Damn. Then I'm never getting it back.
Sonny frowned, though he couldn't hide his excitement.
With the matter settled, Ethan returned the tactical equipment they had lent him and indicated that they could take the backpack containing the gold. Jason, who had watched quietly, finally nodded at him.
—It's fair —he said, then added with a bitter smile—. You have no idea how many times we've risked our lives for less.
Ethan simply nodded. He knew money was a sensitive subject, but right now, that hardly mattered. They had broken the rules, and everyone knew it.
The SEALs and Ethan returned to the lookout tower, where a military Black Hawk helicopter was waiting. Daria, Carly, and Jesse sighed with relief when they saw Ethan unharmed and rushed to embrace him.
Soon afterward, Alpha Team boarded the helicopter, taking Ethan and the women back to the cannibals' main camp so they could leave in a vehicle of their own. As a Navy team without authorization to operate there, the SEALs needed to contact the appropriate authorities and report what had happened.
Jason assured Ethan that his captain would handle the situation and notify the authorities as necessary. Though the SEALs had initially been cold and cautious, their attitude toward Ethan had gradually changed. Something about him had earned their respect, and by the end, the atmosphere between them had relaxed.
After warm farewells, the SEALs boarded the Black Hawk. The roar of its blades filled the clearing before the helicopter rose and disappeared over the horizon. With the soldiers gone, silence settled over the area once more.
After searching the houses for a while, Ethan found the steering wheel belonging to Francine's truck. Daria's SUV was beyond use, so he installed the recovered steering wheel in the truck, and they finally drove away.