NO SAFE PLACE LEFT
420 Words
“Move.”
Kael didn’t wait for me to agree this time.
He turned and started walking, his pace fast, controlled, like he already knew exactly where he was going.
For a second, I didn’t follow.
I just stood there.
Watching him.
Thinking.
This was the same man who had rejected me in front of everyone.
The same man who said I wasn’t worthy.
And now—
Now he was acting like my only protection.
“Lira.”
My name snapped me out of my thoughts.
He had stopped a few steps ahead, his gaze fixed on me.
“Standing there won’t keep you safe,” he said.
I clenched my jaw slightly.
“I’m not doing this because I trust you,” I replied.
His expression didn’t change.
“I know.”
That answer irritated me more than I expected.
Still—
I moved.
Closing the distance between us, but not too close.
Not enough to forget.
Not enough to forgive.
We walked in silence for a while.
The forest felt different now.
Heavier.
Like something unseen was watching from every direction.
“You said there’s somewhere they can’t reach me,” I said after a moment. “Where is it?”
Kael didn’t slow down.
“It’s not a place most people know about.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting for now.”
I exhaled sharply, frustration building again.
“You keep saying things like that,” I said. “Half-truths. Half-explanations.”
“That’s because full answers come with consequences.”
“I’m already in danger,” I snapped. “What more consequences could there be?”
He stopped suddenly.
So fast that I nearly walked into him.
When he turned, his eyes were darker than before.
“Knowing too much too soon could get you killed,” he said.
The seriousness in his voice made my chest tighten.
“But not knowing is already doing that,” I replied.
Silence.
A brief one.
Then—
A distant sound echoed through the forest.
Low.
Unnatural.
Not a howl this time.
Something worse.
Kael’s entire body went still.
“They found us again,” he muttered.
My heart dropped.
“What do we do?”
He didn’t hesitate.
“Run.”
That was all he said before grabbing my hand and pulling me forward.
This time—
I didn’t resist.
Because the sound behind us was getting closer.
Faster.
And whatever was coming…
Wasn’t giving us time to think. 😈🔥
- Writer
