HE SAID I WAS JUST A BET

Chapter 52: Running Out Of Roads

The pavement blurred beneath Maria’s feet as she ran, the cold air slicing into her lungs. Every step felt heavier, but the sound behind them — the soft hum of the car engine, the crunch of shoes hitting the ground — kept her moving.

“Emeka, where are we going?” she gasped, her voice breaking.

“Just trust me,” he shot back without looking at her.

They darted into a narrow side street, the glow from the streetlamps struggling to reach the cracked walls. Emeka slowed just enough to listen. The car’s engine was gone, but the echo of footsteps wasn’t.

Maria’s stomach knotted. “It’s not the car anymore,” she whispered. “Someone’s on foot.”

Before Emeka could respond, a shadow appeared at the other end of the alley, blocking the way. The figure didn’t move — just stood there, head tilted slightly, as though studying them.

Maria’s legs felt rooted to the ground. “Who… who is that?”

Emeka’s eyes darted around, searching for another exit. “Doesn’t matter. We’re not going toward them.”

They turned and ran back the way they came, but as they reached the main road, the black car reappeared, creeping forward like a predator that knew it had time.

“This is a trap,” Maria breathed.

Emeka grabbed her hand and yanked her toward an old, abandoned building across the street. They ducked inside, the smell of dust and rust filling Maria’s nose. The floorboards groaned under their weight.

“Hide,” Emeka ordered, shoving her toward a dark corner.

“What about you?”

“I’ll make sure they don’t find you.”

Before Maria could argue, he was gone, his footsteps fading into the building’s depths.

She pressed herself against the wall, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Every sound seemed magnified — the creak of wood, the distant drip of water… and then, the faint crunch of boots drawing closer.

Her phone buzzed again in her pocket. She pulled it out with trembling hands.

Unknown Number: I told you — too late.