Chapter Twelve — The Last Sunrise
397 Words
We didn’t wait for the sirens.
By the time the police swarmed the gala, Adrian and I were already gone — weaving through back streets, the black sedan swallowing us into the night.
His breathing was ragged, each inhale sharp with pain. My hands were slick with his blood, pressing hard against the wound in his side.
“Stay awake,” I whispered, my voice shaking despite my best effort.
His lips curved faintly. “You’re bossy when you’re scared.”
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We made it back to the safehouse before dawn. I got him onto the sofa, tearing through drawers for bandages and alcohol.
“You’re going to be fine,” I said, refusing to let my voice crack.
He caught my wrist before I could start cleaning the wound. “You know that’s not true.”
I froze.
His eyes held mine, unflinching. “You have to go. They’ll come for me, not you. And if you’re here when they do—”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“You will,” he said softly. “Because you’re smart. And because I love you enough to make you hate me if I have to.”
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We sat there in silence for a long time, the firelight flickering over his face. I memorized every line — the sharp jaw, the shadow of stubble, the way his eyes softened only for me.
Finally, he reached up, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “When you see the first sunrise, you walk out that door. Don’t look back.”
I wanted to tell him no. I wanted to stay.
But something in his voice told me this was the last thing I could give him — my survival.
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When the sky began to pale, I leaned over him, pressing my lips to his. The kiss was slow, aching, filled with everything we didn’t have the words for.
“I love you,” I whispered.
His smile was faint but real. “I know.”
I stood, my chest tight, my legs heavy, and walked to the door. The moment I stepped outside, the cold air cut through me, but I didn’t turn around.
Behind me, I heard the faint click of a gun being loaded — Adrian’s last stand.
Ahead of me, the sun broke over the horizon.
I kept walking.
TO BE CONTINUED
- Writer
