BLOOD ON THE ROAD
886 Words
Elara’s chest heaved as she stared at the spiderweb cracks in the windshield. Her palms stung, cut by shards of glass, but her eyes wouldn’t move from Aiden’s knuckles—white from how tightly he gripped the wheel.
He hadn’t spoken since the gunfire stopped.
The car swerved sharply onto an empty street, tires squealing. Aiden slammed the brakes and threw it into park, twisting around to check the backseat before his eyes locked on her.
“You okay?”
She blinked. Okay? She wasn’t even sure if she was breathing.
“No, I’m not okay!” she snapped, her voice trembling. “What the hell was that?”
“An introduction.”
His tone was so calm it made her want to hit him—or scream.
“An introduction?” She gestured wildly at the glass scattered around them. “To what? A firing squad?”
“To the world you’re in now.”
Her stomach twisted. “I didn’t ask for this.”
“You didn’t have to.”
She swallowed, hating the way his words felt final. “Who were they?”
Aiden’s jaw clenched. “Enemies.”
“That’s not an answer!”
“It’s the only one I can give you right now.”
Her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms. “Pull over.”
“What?”
“I said pull the damn car over!”
Aiden’s eyes flashed, but he yanked the car to the curb. Before he could stop her, she shoved the door open and stumbled onto the pavement.
“Where are you going?” he growled, stepping out after her.
“Away from you!”
She didn’t make it more than three steps before he grabbed her wrist and spun her back toward him.
“You don’t get to run from me,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.
“Watch me.”
His grip tightened—not enough to hurt, but enough to make her stop.
“I just got shot at,” she hissed. “Because of you. And now I’m supposed to what? Trust you?”
His voice dropped even lower. “You don’t have to trust me, Elara. But you will listen to me.”
She tried to pull away again, but Aiden stepped closer, invading her space until there was nothing between them but heat and tension.
“You don’t get it,” he said, his voice rough. “I’m not just trying to keep you safe. I’m the only one who can.”
Her breath caught. “Why?”
For the first time, something flickered in his eyes—something raw and unguarded.
“Because I’m not like them,” he said. “But I’m not like you either.”
Her pulse skipped. “What are you talking about?”
Aiden’s jaw worked, as if he were fighting against something he didn’t want to say.
Finally, he stepped back, releasing her wrist.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he said. “But not here.”
Elara stared at him, her body trembling from adrenaline, anger, and something she didn’t want to name.
“You don’t tell me anything,” she said. “You just expect me to follow you like… like—”
“Like someone who wants to live.”
She wanted to say dog but she hated how much sense his words made.
After a long moment, she let out a shaky breath. “Where are we going?”
Aiden’s lips curved—not quite a smile, but something close to it.
“Somewhere they can’t find you.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The safe house wasn’t what she expected.
No chains or dungeons—just a secluded cabin deep in the woods, far from prying eyes.
It still gave off serial killer vibes.
Aiden locked the doors behind them and tossed his jacket over the back of a chair.
“This is where we’ll be for now,” he said.
She crossed her arms. “And what happens when they find me here?”
“They won’t.”
“And if they do?”
His eyes darkened. “Then they’ll regret it.”
Something about the way he said it made her shiver.
“Sit,” he ordered.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re bleeding.”
She looked down and realized he was right. Tiny cuts lined her hands and arms, dried blood marking her skin.
Without waiting for permission, Aiden grabbed a first-aid kit and knelt in front of her, pulling her hand into his.
Her breath caught as he cleaned the wounds, his touch surprisingly gentle.
“You’re too calm about all this,” she said, watching him.
“And you’re too reckless,” he shot back.
Her lips parted, ready to argue, but then his fingers brushed against her palm, and the words died on her tongue.
The tension between them thickened, and this time she couldn’t blame fear.
“Tell me the truth,” she said softly.
He looked up. “About what?”
“About what you are.”
His eyes didn’t waver. “Not yet.”
Her pulse quickened. “Why?”
Aiden’s thumb lingered on her wrist, right over her racing pulse.
“Because once I do, you’ll never look at me the same way again.”
- Writer
