บท 1: Chapter 1: The Escape
"Run." That single word pounded in her head like a war drum. Adira didn't wait to hear the shouts behind her. The cold pavement bit into her bare feet as she darted through the maze of shadowy streets, her breath ragged and uneven.
She clutched the blood-stained note in her hand. Its words were smudged, but the urgency of the message couldn't be clearer. If she didn't make it to the rendezvous point in time, everything she had worked for would crumble. Her freedom. Her survival. Her last thread of hope.
The alley she turned into was darker, narrower, the air thick with the sour stench of decay. But she didn't slow down. She didn't have time to think about the danger of running blind. She was being hunted.
From behind, heavy boots slammed against the ground, getting closer.
Adira's pulse quickened. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she pushed harder, forcing her legs to carry her farther, faster. She couldn't let them catch her.
Ahead, a figure emerged from the shadows, tall and broad-shouldered, the glow of a cigarette briefly illuminating a scarred face. The man tilted his head, his eyes locking on her with a predator's precision.
"Adira," he drawled, flicking the cigarette to the ground. "You're making this harder than it needs to be."
Her steps faltered. She knew that voice too well. Malik. He had always been Viktor's most loyal enforcer, a ruthless dog sent to do the dirty work.
"Step aside, Malik," she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest.
"You know I can't do that." He took a step forward, blocking the narrow alleyway completely. "Come quietly, and I might convince Viktor to make it quick."
Adira's hand tightened around the note. "Tell Viktor he can go to hell."
Malik's chuckle was low, threatening. "Brave words for someone with nowhere to run."
She glanced behind her. The sound of footsteps was louder now, echoing off the brick walls. She was cornered.
Her mind raced, calculating her options. Fight Malik? Run past him? Surrender?
No. Surrender wasn't an option. Not tonight.
She made her decision in a heartbeat. Lunging forward, she feinted to the left, then twisted sharply to the right, aiming to slip past him. But Malik was faster than she anticipated. His arm shot out, grabbing her wrist with an iron grip.
"Not so fast."
Adira didn't hesitate. She brought her knee up, aiming for his stomach. The impact made him grunt, but his grip didn't loosen. Desperation surged through her as she clawed at his hand, her nails digging into his skin.
"Let me go!"
Malik's grip faltered for a split second, and she seized the opportunity. Twisting her body, she wrenched free and took off down the alley.
She didn't look back.
Her chest burned as she pushed herself harder, the sound of Malik's curses fading into the distance. She rounded another corner, her heart pounding like a drum.
And then she saw it—the old church with its broken steeple, barely visible against the inky sky. The rendezvous point.
Relief washed over her, but it was short-lived. A figure stepped out from the church's shadowed doorway, his silhouette sharp against the moonlight.
Adira froze, her breath catching in her throat. This wasn't part of the plan.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
The man didn't answer. Instead, he stepped closer, his face emerging from the shadows. He was young, with dark, piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her. His expression was unreadable, but there was something dangerous in the way he moved—like a wolf circling its prey.
"I could ask you the same," he said, his voice calm but laced with a quiet menace.
Adira's fingers tightened around the note again, her mind racing. Could he be trusted? Or was this another trap?
Before she could decide, the sound of Malik's voice echoed down the street.
"Adira! You can't hide forever!"
The man's eyes flicked to the direction of the voice, then back to her. "Looks like you've got company."
"Stay out of this," she snapped, stepping back.
He raised an eyebrow. "And here I was, thinking you needed help."
"I don't."
He smirked, but there was no warmth in it. "Suit yourself."
Adira turned to run, but he grabbed her arm. His grip was firm but not painful.
"Wait."
She glared at him. "Let go of me."
"Not until you tell me why Viktor's men are hunting you."
Her blood ran cold. How did he know about Viktor?
Before she could answer, Malik's voice grew louder, closer.
The man released her arm, his gaze hardening. "You've got two choices. Face them alone or trust me."
Adira hesitated. She didn't trust anyone, especially not strangers with sharp eyes and sharper words. But the sound of Malik's boots pounding against the pavement made the decision for her.
"Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "But if you betray me, I'll kill you myself."
The man's smirk returned. "Noted."
He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the church, his movements quick and deliberate. Adira didn't resist. For now, she had no choice but to follow him.
As they disappeared into the shadows, the sound of Malik's pursuit grew louder, his voice cutting through the night like a blade.
"Adira! You can't run forever!"
Adira's
jaw tightened. No, she couldn't run forever. But she could fight.
And she wasn't done fighting yet.
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