Bound by Destiny

She Found Me

The knock came again.

Slow. Calm. Certain.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure whoever stood outside could hear it. I reached for my phone instinctively, my fingers shaking as I unlocked the screen.

Ethan’s last message stared back at me.

I’m coming for you.

Before I could reply, the knock came a third time.

“Amara,” a woman’s voice called softly from the other side of the door. “Open up.”

Lydia.

Every instinct screamed at me to stay silent. I grabbed my bag, slipped on my shoes, and moved quietly toward the back door. My apartment had never felt so small, every shadow suddenly dangerous.

The front door handle turned.

I froze.

The lock held—but barely.

“Don’t do this,” Lydia said calmly. “You’re not good at running.”

I bolted.

I slipped out through the back stairwell, taking the steps two at a time, my breath ragged as I burst into the alley behind the building. Rain slicked the ground, nearly sending me crashing forward.

A car engine roared to life.

I ran.

I didn’t know where I was going—only that I couldn’t stop.

My phone buzzed.

Ethan.

“Where are you?” his voice came through the line, urgent, breathless.

“She’s here,” I whispered. “Ethan, she found me.”

“What?” His breath hitched. “Listen to me. Don’t go home. Don’t stop. I’m five minutes away.”

Headlights swept across the alley.

I turned sharply, cutting through a side street, my lungs burning as panic clawed its way up my throat. My legs screamed in protest, but fear pushed me forward.

I stumbled near an abandoned bus stop, nearly collapsing.

Then arms caught me.

Strong. Familiar.

“Amara.”

I sobbed as Ethan pulled me against his chest, shielding me as if his body alone could protect me from everything chasing us.

“I’m here,” he whispered fiercely. “I’ve got you.”

Behind us, a black car screeched to a halt.

Lydia stepped out, clapping slowly.

“How romantic,” she said. “Running away together.”

Ethan turned, placing himself between us. “It’s over.”

Lydia smiled. “It’s just beginning.”

Sirens wailed faintly in the distance.

For the first time, uncertainty flickered in her eyes.

Ethan grabbed my hand. “Run.”

And we did.