Thump! Thump! Thump!
Nathan's heart pounded frantically, every breath teetering between a ragged burst and a sharp gasp.
His chest burned—mirroring the pain in his joints—as he sprinted along the cobbled walkway. Past the barking dogs. The water fountains. The trimmed bushes. Hand gripping his throbbing shoulder like it would fall off if he let go.
Every thought was jumbled up, as he tunneled vision on the metal gates.
He bolted through, only stopping when he had sliced into an alley and Valentino's house was no longer in sight.
It was still dark out and quiet, with only the distant hum of vehicles at earshot.
Nathan fell to the ground, panting.
He hadn't let go.
The boy's hand clutched his shoulder—knuckles white, as the pain grew more intense now that adrenaline rush was we
