Chapter 28: The Price of Secrets

"Ryan, stay with me!" Alex's voice cracked as they shook him gently, desperate to keep him conscious. The echo of his last words, "They're coming for you," lingered in the air like a dark cloud about to burst.

Sarah's hands trembled as she fumbled for her phone. "We need to call for help. He's losing too much blood!"

"No!" Alex snapped, their mind racing. Ryan wasn't just injured—he was hunted. Whoever had done this to him, whatever force was chasing him, wouldn't stop. And bringing anyone else into this would only spread the danger.

Sarah looked at Alex in disbelief, tears welling in her eyes. "What are you saying? He needs a doctor, Alex. We can't just leave him like this."

"I know," Alex replied, their voice shaking. "But calling for help will put everyone else at risk. Whoever's after him won't care about collateral damage."