Chapter 8: I Won’t Let You Get Hurt 🔥
763 Words
The gunshot echoed again.
Louder this time.
Closer.
Reya flinched instinctively.
Her fingers tightened into fists.
Her heartbeat… out of control.
Aarav didn’t waste a second.
He grabbed her hand.
Firm.
Cold.
Certain.
“Move.”
No argument.
No explanation.
Just command.
Reya followed.
For the first time-
Without resisting.
They moved quickly through the hallway.
Aarav leading.
Reya right behind him.
Another gunshot.
A vase shattered somewhere nearby.
Glass pieces scattered across the floor.
Reya gasped.
“Aarav—”
“Don’t stop,” he cut her off.
His grip on her hand tightened.
Almost like he was making sure she didn’t disappear.
They reached a hidden door at the end of the corridor.
Aarav pushed it open.
A narrow passage.
Dark.
Secret.
Reya stared.
“What is this?”
“Backup exit,” Aarav replied.
“Since when do we have secret tunnels?!”
“Since your life has been at risk.”
That answer shut her up.
Aarav pulled her inside.
Closed the door behind them.
The sounds outside became muffled.
But not gone.
Gunshots.
Footsteps.
Chaos.
Reya’s breathing was uneven.
“This… this is insane…”
Aarav turned to her.
His hands came to her shoulders.
Firm.
Grounding.
---
“Look at me.”
She did.
“Breathe,” he said.
She tried.
Failed.
Tried again.
Slowly…
Her breathing steadied.
“Good,” he said quietly.
For a second
They just stood there.
Close.
Too close.
Then
Aarav pulled back.
His focus returning instantly.
“We have to move.”
Reya nodded.
This time
No attitude.
No arguments.
Just trust.
They walked through the narrow passage.
Dim lights flickering above.
Reya stayed close.
Very close.
Not because she was told to.
But because she wanted to.
“Aarav…” she whispered.
Yes?
Are they… here for me?
A pause.
Then
Yes.
Her chest tightened.
Why?
Aarav didn’t answer immediately.
Because the truth?
Was complicated.
And dangerous.
Before he could say anything
A loud thud echoed behind them.
Both of them froze.
They found the entrance,Aarav muttered.
Reya’s eyes widened.
What do we do?!
Aarav turned to her.
His expression sharp.
Focused.
We run.
And just like that
They did.
The narrow passage felt longer than before.
Darker.
Scarier.
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Closer.
Faster.
Reya’s breath hitched.
They’re coming!
I know.
Aarav suddenly stopped.
Reya almost crashed into him.
What
Go ahead,he said.
She blinked.
What?
I’ll handle them.
Her eyes widened.
No!
Aarav grabbed her shoulders.
Firm.
Listen to me,he said.
No, you listen
If you stay, you’ll slow me down.
That hit.
Reya shook her head.
I’m not leaving you!
Aarav’s expression softened for a split second.
Then hardened again.
You don’t get a choice.
Reya’s voice broke slightly.
Aarav…
For the first time
Fear was clear in her eyes.
Not for herself.
For him.
That did something to him.
Something dangerous.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
His hand came up.
Gently holding her face.
Nothing is going to happen to me, he said softly.
Her breath hitched.
You don’t know that…
I do.
Their eyes locked.
Time slowed.
Everything else faded.
You trust me?he asked quietly.
Reya didn’t hesitate.
Yes.
That one word
Changed everything.
Aarav exhaled slowly.
Then go.
Reya hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then
She nodded.
And ran.
Away from him.
Every step felt wrong.
But she didn’t stop.
Behind her
Footsteps.
Voices.
And then
Fighting sounds.
Reya’s heart shattered.
Aarav…she whispered.
But she kept running.
Because she trusted him.
And he had told her to.
Meanwhile…
Aarav stood alone in the narrow passage.
Three men approached.
Armed.
Dangerous.
But Aarav?
Unshaken.
You should’ve stayed out of this,one of them said.
Aarav cracked his knuckles slightly.
You should’ve stayed away from her.
And then
He moved.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
The fight was brutal.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
Because this wasn’t just a mission anymore.
This was personal.
Outside…
Reya finally reached the end of the passage.
A hidden exit.
She stepped out.
Cold night air hitting her face.
But she didn’t feel relief.
She felt empty.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Please be okay… she whispered.
For the first time
Reya Malhotra felt helpless.
And she hated it.
But more than that
She hated the thought of losing him.
Back inside…
The last man fell.
Silence.
Heavy breathing.
Aarav stood there.
Bruised.
Slightly bleeding.
But alive.
His chest rose and fell.
And his mind?
On one thing.
Reya.
He turned instantly.
And ran.
To be continued… 😈🔥
Will Aarav reach Reya in time…
or is someone else already waiting for her outside?
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- Writer
