Chapter 10: You Came Back...(Or Did You?) 🔥
747 Words
The cold night air felt heavier than before
Reya stood outside the hidden exit her arms wrapped around herself
Not because of the cold
But because of the fear
Her eyes stayed fixed on the dark opening behind her
Waiting
Hoping
Praying
Aarav she whispered
Every second felt like a minute
Every sound made her heart jump
What if she stopped herself
No
She shook her head
He said hed be fine
But her mind wasnt listening
Footsteps
Her head snapped up
Someone was coming
Her breath hitched
Aarav
A figure emerged from the darkness
Tall
Broad
Familiar
Relief crashed into her instantly
Aarav she ran toward him
And stopped
Something felt
Off
The way he walked
The way he looked at her
It was him
But not him
You took your time the man said
Reyas heart dropped
That voice
Not Aarav
Her steps slowly moved back
Who are you she whispered
The man stepped into the dim light
And Reya froze
It was Aarav
Same face
Same build
Same everything
But his eyes
Were different
Cold
Mocking
Dangerous
A slow smile spread across his lips
Disappointed he asked
Reyas breath became uneven
What is this she whispered
The man chuckled
You really dont know anything do you
Reya shook her head slowly
Stay away from me
He tilted his head slightly
Thats not how you talk to someone who looks exactly like your protector
Her heartbeat raced
Youre not him
The smile widened
No he said
Im the version of him you were never supposed to meet
Reyas mind spun
What does that even mean
Before he could answer
A voice cut through the air
Move away from her
Reyas head snapped toward the entrance
Aarav
This time
It was him
Breathing heavy
Slightly injured
Eyes burning with something dangerous
Relief flooded through her
Aarav
But before she could move
The other man grabbed her arm
Fast
Reya gasped
Let go of me
Aaravs expression changed instantly
Dark
Deadly
I said
His voice dropped
Move away from her
The man smirked
Or what
Silence
Then
Aarav stepped forward
Slow
Controlled
Terrifying
Or I forget the rules Ive been following
Reya felt the tension snap
This wasnt the calm Aarav anymore
This was something else
Something far more dangerous
The man chuckled
There he is he said
Reya frowned
What is going on she cried
Neither of them answered her
They were too focused on each other
Like this wasnt their first time
You shouldnt have come here Aarav said
And you shouldnt have gotten attached the man replied
Reyas heart skipped
Attached
Before she could process
Aarav moved
Fast
He grabbed the mans wrist
Twisted it
Forced him to let go of Reya
She stumbled back
Aarav immediately stepped in front of her
Shielding her
That one move
Said everything
You okay he asked quickly
Reya nodded
But her eyes were still on the other man
Who is he she whispered
Aarav didnt answer
Instead
His gaze hardened
Leave he told the man
The man laughed softly
You think this ends here
A pause
Then his eyes shifted to Reya again
This is just the beginning
And before they could react
He stepped back
Into the darkness
And disappeared
Again
Silence fell
But this time
It felt worse
Reya slowly looked at Aarav
Tell me she said
Her voice wasnt soft anymore
It was serious
Demanding
Who was that
Aarav exhaled slowly
For the first time
He looked conflicted
Then
He said quietly
Someone from my past
Reyas brows furrowed
What kind of past makes people look exactly like you
Aarav didnt answer
And that silence
Was louder than anything
Reya stepped closer
No more secrets she said
Aarav looked at her
Long
Deep
Like he was deciding something
Then
He stepped closer too
Not here he said
Then where
Somewhere safe
Reya let out a small humorless laugh
Does that even exist anymore
Aaravs gaze softened slightly
As long as Im with you yes
Her heartbeat skipped
But before she could respond
He reached for her hand
This time
Gentler
Warmer
But still firm
Come on he said
Reya didnt pull away
Instead
She held on
Because now
She knew one thing for sure
Whatever this was
It was bigger than her
Bigger than him
And definitely
More dangerous than either of them expected
To be continued 😈🔥
Who is Aaravs lookalike
and what truth is he hiding that Reya isnt ready for
---
- Writer
