CHAPTER5
1077 Words
(Amara's POV)
I cried out, "Elias!" and hurried to his side as he fell, crumpling like a rag doll.
The scene was frozen until the gunshot reverberated throughout the warehouse. I fell to my knees next to him, my hands trembling as I applied pressure to the wound on his shoulder, my heart pounding.
I said, "Stay with me," in a shaky voice. "Please, stay with me."
Elias's face turned pale as he winced and gasped for air. He clinched his teeth and said, "I’m fine," but the blood accumulating under his fingers belied his words.
Panic building, I looked over my shoulder. Lukas had left. Outside, sirens screamed and voices grew louder.
Desperation is starting to set in. I demanded, "We need to get you to a hospital,"
With a startlingly firm hold on my arm, Elias shook his head. "No hospitals," he stated firmly. "It’s not safe."
"But you’re hurt—"
"I’ll handle it," he cut in, his voice icy. "Help me up."
I hesitated, but there was no arguing with the expression in his eyes. Trembling as I supported his weight, I assisted him in standing up.
He said, "Just a little further," each stride a struggle.
The police surrounded the area as we staggered out of the warehouse. I saw Lukas in handcuffs, his face contorted with rage. Eyes flaming, he yelled, "You’ll pay for this, Amara!"
I encouraged, looking around, "Elias, we need to move."
With strained breath, he nodded. "Follow my lead."
As the pandemonium behind us subsided, we moved into the darkness. My thoughts were racing. What had just taken place? For us, what did it mean?
Elias, lying in the hospital bed, admitted feebly, "I knew about your father’s plan all along," the sterile room being too bright.
He assured me that the private clinic we had reached was secure. Even after the doctors had bandaged him, he still appeared frail and pale.
"What do you mean?" With my heart racing, I inquired.
Elias looked at the ceiling and moaned. "I was aware that Lukas was responsible for my death attempt. He was trying to reach me by exploiting you.
My nausea rose as my gut twisted. "Why didn’t you tell me?"
The reason he said, "Because I needed to see if I could trust you," was hardly audible above a whisper.
My nails dug into my palms as I balled my fists. Angry, I said, "You used me," my voice shaking.
Elias looked at me, regret shining in his dark eyes. "I had no other option. Your father is dangerous, Amara. I couldn’t risk him finding out what I knew."
Tears flowed down my face, fury and hurt combining. "You should have told me," I gasped. "I had a right to know."
Elias extended his hand and touched mine. "I apologize. I never intended to cause you harm.
My heart ached as I withdrew my hand. I said, "But you did," as I felt the weight of treachery.
Between us, silence hung heavy and thick. I just sat there, feeling disoriented, even though I wanted to shout and throw things.
The silence was broken by him. "I tried to keep you safe. I believed I could handle it.
"What do you manage? "Lies?" I fired back, my anger rising. "You could have trusted me!"
"I wanted to!" he said, raising his voice. "But trust is hard when everything around us is crumbling."
I averted my gaze, my vision blurred by tears. "What do we do now?"
With a sigh, Elias looked into my eyes. "We retaliate together.
"However? Panic started to set in. I added, "They'll come for you again."
"I won’t let them. "I swear," he shouted angrily, his eyes blazing with resolve.
A voice on the other end of the phone broke the tension by saying, "This isn't over."
My heart pounded and I froze. The partner of Lukas is Damon Cross.
"You think you’ve won?" Damon spoke in a low, hateful voice. "Think again."
With shaky palms, I tightened my grip on the phone and swallowed hard. "What do you want?" I was able to ask.
The piercing sound of Damon's laughter chilled me to the bone. He mockingly said, "You'll find out soon enough."
There was a cold silence before the conversation stopped before I could answer. "Watch your back" was the message that chimed on my phone.
My heart was racing as I gazed at the phone. Damon wanted what? What was he planning? As I attempted to take it all in, my thoughts raced.
Abruptly, I heard a sound coming from behind me. My breath caught in my throat as I turned.
There was a person present.
A silhouette against the dazzling lights, the figure came into view. My excitement surged and my heart raced. "Who’s there?" With a shaky voice, I screamed out.
The figure simply moved closer without responding. I felt a wave of panic. Elias was too weak to assist, so I looked at him.
"Show yourself!" With my heart thumping in my chest, I asked furiously.
After pausing, the figure moved into the light. I couldn't believe that it was someone I knew. "You shouldn’t have gotten involved, Amara," they stated in a low, menacing voice.
"What do you want?" With my heart pounding, I backed away and asked.
"You’re in deeper than you know," the figure said, mischievous eyes gleaming. "And I can help you… or make things worse."
I swallowed hard, panic seizing me. What were they trying to say? What was my option?
I experienced a surge of hope when the door opened. However, the figure flashed a chilly smile. "You believe you're secure now? Rethink your thinking.
As the truth of what they had spoken set in, I froze. What did they intend to do? What will happen next?
My mind raced as I attempted to understand the danger. I had to keep myself and Elias safe. However, how?
I sensed the walls closing in as the stranger moved closer. My breath quickened and my pulse raced.
"Who are you?" With a weak voice, I asked.
With a smile, they said, "You'll find out soon enough."
I could feel the gravity of what they said, the threat intruding like an evil. This was not the end of it. Not even close.
The tension in the air increased, and I was sure that I needed to be prepared for whatever was about to happen.
- Writer
