The heater in the SUV was already blowing warm air, but I couldn’t stop shivering.

Jake got into the driver’s seat and put the vehicle in gear.

The tires crunched on the packed snow as we pulled out of the driveway.

I looked back at the house, the warm yellow lights shining through the frosted windows.

It used to be our home.

Now, it felt like a fortress occupied by enemies.

“Are you okay?” Jake asked, his hand reaching across the console to squeeze mine.

“I will be,” I said, staring at the dark road ahead.

“As long as we are away from them.”

“We’ll be at the base in twenty minutes,” Jake said, his eyes fixed on the snow-blind highway.

The wipers scraped rhythmically against the windshield, clearing the heavy flakes.

About fifteen minutes later, the high chain-link fences of the military installation appeared through the storm.

Two armed guards stood at the gate, their figures silhouetted against the bright spotlights.

Jake rolled down his window and handed over his military ID.

The guard checked it, saluted, and pressed the button to raise the heavy security barrier.