She searched the wreckage, hoping to find something useful, and only found a part of a rope.

It probably belonged to Bennett and his team; after all, who else would keep ropes in their car?

Yet, a rope might prove useful, certainly better than nothing.

With the rope in hand, Ariana made her way back to where she had left Bennett.

She found Bennett just as she had left him, lying down with his eyes closed, appearing completely at ease.

"I told you that you wouldn't make it out without me. ALL that effort for nothing," Bennett said in a smug tone as Ariana approached him.

Ariana felt her irritation surge at the sight of Bennett, yet she kept her anger in check.

Without a word, she pulled the rope from her bag and deftly tied his hands. She then crafted a loop around his neck, much like a leash.

Once everything was securely fastened, Ariana tugged at the rope, signaling Bennett to move.

Bennett was stubborn at first, refusing to move.

Ariana used more strength in her pulls, which clearly caused Bennett discomfort. Eventually, his resistance weakened, and he started to move under her lead. It really felt like she was walking a dog.

Ariana let out a chuckle.

Dealing with Bennett as a person was always a challenge, but as a "dog", he seemed surprisingly more tolerable.

Bennett, visibly humiliated, gave Ariana a glare. "My left foot's broken; I can't move. If you want us to get out of these woods, you'd better be nice to me, or I'm fine with both of us dying here."

“And why would I want that?" Ariana snapped back. "To die with you and risk being dragged down to hell, too? No, thank you."

Ariana looked down at Bennett, her expression cold and commanding.

"Don't think for a second that you can blackmail me with a way out. I'm not buying it. If we can't locate Holden and Adrian, I'd rather die here. So, unless you want to meet your end here, you better assist me in finding them. Help me, and I might just let you Live. This is your only chance."

"I don't need you to give me a chance!" Bennett retorted. He had been a dominant figure in the underworld for more than ten years, unaccustomed to such dismissal. Ariana's defiance infuriated him.

Helpless to strike back, he pulled against his bonds. "I've already told you, Holden and Adrian are gone, completely obliterated. You're pursuing phantoms; you'll never find them"

His words were cut short as the rope around his neck tightened abruptly, nearly choking him.