The roar of the enemies grew louder behind them as Zayden pushed forward, his strides long and fast. Riley clung to him, her heart pounding in her chest as the world around her blurred. The courtyard they had just been standing in was now behind them, swallowed up by the chaos that had erupted in an instant.
She could feel Zayden's pulse, steady but fast, beneath her hands. His grip on her was unyielding, as if he would never let her go. She could see the determination in his eyes, but there was something else—a hint of desperation she couldn't ignore.
"We can't keep running forever," Riley said, her voice tight with panic.
Zayden didn't answer immediately, but his jaw tightened, and his pace quickened. She could see him scanning the area, his sharp eyes darting from one corner to the next, assessing their options.
"We need to get to safety," Zayden said, his voice low but firm. "There's a place nearby, a sanctuary. If we can reach it, we'll be safe."
Riley's stomach twisted. "A sanctuary? What is that, some secret hideout?"
Zayden shot her a quick glance, his eyes narrowing. "It's a place where those who are targeted by rogue groups can go for protection. But we have to get there before they catch up to us."
The ground beneath them seemed to tremble again, and Riley's heart skipped a beat. She could hear the enemy's footsteps—fast and furious—closing in on them, the sound of their breaths harsh and animalistic.
"I'm not leaving you," Riley said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. She wasn't going to run away anymore, not when they were so close to the edge.
Zayden's gaze softened, and for a brief moment, he looked at her with something that resembled tenderness. "Riley, this isn't about running away. It's about surviving. We can't fight them all. Not yet. We need to get to safety so we can plan our next move."
"I don't care about planning!" Riley snapped, her fear finally boiling over. "I care about you. And I'm not going to just hide while they come after us!"
Zayden slowed his pace, stopping abruptly in the middle of the street. His chest heaved with the effort, and his grip on her tightened. "Listen to me, Riley," he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "I know you want to fight. But if we don't get to safety, we won't have a chance to fight at all."
Riley's chest tightened as she looked into his eyes. There was a flicker of something there—something that reminded her of the man she had met all those months ago, the man who had shown her what it meant to trust.
"Okay," she whispered. "I trust you."
With that, Zayden resumed his run, his speed unrelenting as he navigated the streets, his eyes scanning every corner for danger. The enemy was still behind them, but for the moment, they were one step ahead.
The sanctuary wasn't far now. Zayden's mind raced with calculations. He knew every turn, every shortcut, and every potential hiding spot in the city. But none of that mattered if they didn't get there in time.
Riley's breath was ragged against his chest, and he could feel her pulse racing, just as fast as his. The bond between them had deepened over time, and it was more than just a connection now—it was a part of him, an extension of his soul.
But as much as he wanted to reassure her, to tell her everything would be okay, he couldn't lie to her. They were in danger. Real danger. And he wasn't sure they would make it out unscathed.