Chapter 005 Betrayal's Edge
1301 Words
Chapter 005
Betrayal's Edge
Brittany’s POV
Haunted by every conflict, every risk, every darkness that came too near, I had hardly slept. One felt as though the walls were closing in. The safehouse was no more a haven but rather a jail. Cross moved with an edge that suggested he sensed it too across the room. Not much had he spoken since the docks. Every look was weighty, every silence louder than any language.
The suspense seemed like it may smother you.
I watched him from across my arms and slanted on the table. "How long are we supposed to act as though this is normal?
He turned his back on research. " define normal."
"Everything about this is off." My voice trembled and betrayed me. "I'm bored running and acting as a pawn in any game you're playing."
Cross stopped, his back to me. It is not a game here.
Tell me then what it is. I went off. "Tell me why I'm the one being hunted, why you're suddenly my protector when you were the one who pulled me into this in the first place."
His shoulders tensed, and when he turned his eyes were black with something incomprehensible. "You search for the truth?"
Certainly! Burst from me, a frantic appeal is the term.
"Excellent." He closed the space separating us, his motions under control, every stride intentional. Actually, you were never intended to matter. You were a name, a face, a tool used toward a goal.
The terms strike like a physical punch. I experienced the air leaving my lungs. "what are you saying?"
"I didn't budget for this," he continued, his voice hoarse. To help you to become greater.
"More?," I laughed sadly, a sound full of suffering. More what, Cross? More control? More bags? Specify clearly.
His jaw tightened. "Stop whirl this."
"Twitching what?" I insisted, moving closer. You took advantage of me. liar to me. And right now you want me to trust you?
"I have nothing to expect from you." His voice was threatening and low. But you really must hear this.
"Why??" I challenged myself, not backing down even though every bit of me wanted to. So you can spin still another web of lies?
His eyes burning, he continued, "I'm trying to keep you alive." And it's the toughest damned thing I've ever done.
"Maybe I don't want your help.." Before I could stop them, the words flowed. Though I disregarded it, I saw the flutter of suffering over his face. "Maybe I would be better off without you.
His quiet was deafening. He gazed at me for a protracted while before grabbing my wrist without warning. "You believe you are aware of the variety available? You don't. You feel you could manage this on your own?
"Let go," said Though I attempted to back off, his hold was strong. "You never own me."
"No." His voice sounded threatening but subdued. But you are in this thanks to me. And I will not turn away.
I shot him a nasty look. " Maybe I wish you would."
His hand fell, and losing touch felt like a gut-reversing blow. You don't mean that.
Tell me not what I mean. My voice broke and I despised it. You find this simple for me? Do you suppose I enjoy any of this?
"No.." He retreated a step to provide me with a room. "But we have no choice."
"Why?” The word came out cracked. "Why, Cross? Me?" Why am I the one enmeshed in your war?
"Because you Matter." I nearly missed the very quiet words.
"Stop advocating that." I shook my head and tears started to burn my eyes. "You are not free to decide that."
"Too late." He looked with great intensity. It is already determined.
Every breath we took battled something, the air between us electrified. Though I couldn't, I wanted to despise him and drive him away. Rather, I discovered myself drawing near. This is incorrect.
His voice whispered, "Everything about us is wrong." Still, I am unable to quit.
Then don't, I said softly back, and before I knew it, his lips were on mine. The kiss was aggressive, frantic, a collision of need and rage. I despise him. I must have him. I wanted him to be gone. I wanted him right next here.
I felt as though I was falling, whirling out of control as his hands twisted in my hair. I back off, panting for air. "This has no effect on anything."
"No," he said, his darkly desiring eyes "But it is all we have.
Though it seemed pointless, I wanted to argue. He was right. We had nothing except this, and it never was sufficient.
The moment broke with a knock at the door. We both turned, tension pulling back into line. Cross moved first, pulling his gun. Get behind me.
"Who is it?," With a throbbing heart, I murmured.
We'll find out. Every motion deliberate, he slid toward the door. "Stay mute."
Once more, the knock sounded louder now. Cross wrenched the door open; his pistol went up. On the opposite side, the man lifted his hands in imitation submission. Ethan here.
"Easy," Ethan remarked with a sarcastic tone. "Is that your current greeting to everyone?"
Cross lowered the weapon but did not relax. You are meant to be covering the perimeter.
"I was." Ethan walked inside, his face austere. "Until I intercept this."
He passed Cross a little encrypted gadget. Cross-checked it, and his face turned pale. "When?"
Just now, Ethan said. "It warns."
"From who?" I begged, my voice shaking.
Cross refused to respond. He went to Ethan. Did you follow it?
Ethan shot back, "No time." But we really have to relocate. presently.
"What's going on?." I asked, worried starting to seep in. "What Does it say?"
Cross's eyes locked with mine and I felt terror for a second. Real, unprocessed terror. "It says we are out of time."
The room blew before I could understand the words. Heat, noise, and anguish enveloped me. I grind hard, the globe whirl-around. Cross was there, dragging me up, his sole link to reality.
"Run," he urged with a sharp urgency. Continue not stopping.
Every step we battled as we staggered over the debris. The safehouse disappeared. There was nowhere to hide as our assailants closed in.
Brittany! Cross's voice sliced over the anarchy. Stay with me.
I gasped, my body screaming in protest, attempting. "I am trying."
"We shall make it." His hand drew tightly around mine. We must.
I realized we had little choices when the earth trembled. Cross drew me into an alley and pressed against the wall. "Listen to me," said.
"Now?," I said as I paled back. "You want to talk right now?"
"Yes." His eyes were intense. "You should know since, should this be it—that which marks the end."
"Know what?," asked. My eyes burned with tears.
"That I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice cracking. "For everything," says
"Cross—"
"no." He cupped my face, his touch delicate in the middle of anarchy. I wanted you to hear this. I am sorry I pulled you into this. I apologize for not keeping you safe. I will not let them triumph though.
"We're not done yet," I said, the terror giving way to will. "We're not.," says
He nodded, a ghost of a smile flashing over his mouth. Let's then finish this.
Footfall reverberated, and we turned as one, prepared to meet whatever was ahead. Our foes materialized, weapons pulled. This was it—the instant everything would turn around.
I knew
something crucial as the first shot went out. Nowadays, this went beyond just survival. It was about victory. And I was poised to battle.
- Writer
