Rafael’s hands gripped the steering wheel tight as he drove out of the compound, his vision blurring at the edges. The engine growled beneath him, but all he could hear was the pounding of his heart and the sharp, unrelenting throb in his knee. Every bump in the road sent a jolt of pain shooting up his leg, and he clenched his jaw to keep from crying out.
Blood rushed out, hot and sticky against the car seat. He was sweating, breathing hard, one hand leaving streaks of red on the gearshift. The road ahead looked endless, like it was swimming in heatwaves. Still, he pushed forward.
His head hit the seat rest for a moment as he blinked against the dizziness. “Stay awake,” he whispered to himself. “Just a little farther.”
But his body was weakening fast.
As Rafael finally reached the edge
