Chapter 13: No Way Out
877 Words
The moment Aarav said it
“They found this place”
Everything changed again
Reya didn’t waste time
This time she didn’t argue
Didn’t question
She just followed
Aarav opened the door carefully
His movements sharp
Focused
Alert
He stepped outside first
Scanning the area
Every corner
Every shadow
Reya stayed right behind him
Closer than before
“Which direction” she whispered
Aarav didn’t look back
“Left. Stay close”
They moved quickly
The night was quiet
Too quiet
Reya’s heartbeat was loud in her ears
Every sound felt amplified
“Are they already here” she asked
“Yes”
That one word made her grip his arm tighter
Aarav noticed
But didn’t say anything
Suddenly
Headlights flashed in the distance
A car
Coming fast
“Down” Aarav said instantly
He pulled her behind a low wall
Both crouching
The car passed by slowly
Too slowly
“They’re searching” Reya whispered
Aarav nodded slightly
His hand moved without thinking
Gripping her wrist again
Not forceful
But protective
“Don’t move” he said
Reya nodded
For a moment
They stayed like that
Hidden
Breathing close
Too close
Reya could feel his heartbeat
Fast
But controlled
“You’re injured” she whispered suddenly
Aarav didn’t respond
“I saw it earlier”
“It’s nothing”
“That doesn’t look like nothing”
Aarav finally looked at her
“Focus”
Reya frowned
“You always do that”
“What”
“Ignore things that matter”
Aarav’s eyes held hers
“For me right now only one thing matters”
Her breath caught slightly
“Getting you out of here”
Silence
Reya looked away first
Because that answer
Felt heavier than it should
The car moved ahead
Disappearing into the distance
Aarav stood up slowly
“Come on”
They moved again
Faster this time
A narrow street
Dim lights
Empty
“Where are we going” Reya asked
“Another safe point”
She let out a small breath
“How many do you have”
“Enough”
That answer
Wasn’t comforting
Before she could say anything
A sound echoed behind them
Footsteps
Not one
Multiple
Aarav stopped instantly
Reya froze
“They found us” she whispered
Aarav turned
His expression sharp
“Run”
No hesitation
They ran
The footsteps behind them got louder
Closer
Faster
Reya’s breathing became uneven
Her legs struggling to keep up
“Aarav I can’t”
“You can”
He didn’t slow down
But his hand tightened around hers
Pulling her forward
“Just a little more”
They turned into another alley
But—
Three men blocked the path ahead
Reya stopped abruptly
Her heart dropped
“Aarav”
He stepped in front of her instantly
Shielding her
More footsteps behind
They were surrounded
For a moment
Everything went still
Then one of the men spoke
“End of the line”
Aarav’s posture didn’t change
“Step aside” the man continued
“We only need the girl”
Reya’s fingers clenched
Aarav’s voice came low
Cold
“You’re not touching her”
The man smirked
“Still playing the hero”
Aarav didn’t respond
Because he wasn’t playing anything
This was real
The men moved forward
Aarav stepped ahead
Blocking every angle
“Stay behind me” he said without looking back
Reya nodded
Even though he couldn’t see
The fight started instantly
Aarav moved fast
Precise
Dangerous
One down
Then another
But there were too many
Reya’s heart pounded
Watching everything unfold
“Aarav careful” she shouted
He didn’t respond
Because he was already fighting
One man came toward her
Reya stepped back instinctively
Before he could reach her
Aarav grabbed him
Pulling him away violently
His control slipping
“Don’t touch her” he snapped
That tone
It wasn’t just protective
It was possessive
Dangerous
Reya felt it
For the first time
She wasn’t just being protected
She was being claimed
The fight ended within seconds after that
The last man fell
Silence returned
Aarav stood there
Breathing heavily
His knuckles bruised
A cut near his lip
But his eyes
Still locked on her
“Are you hurt” he asked
Reya shook her head
“I’m fine”
Aarav stepped closer
Checking her
Carefully
His hands paused at her shoulders
For a second
Neither of them moved
“You should’ve stayed back” he said quietly
Reya looked at him
“And leave you alone”
A pause
“I wasn’t alone”
“You would’ve been”
Silence
Aarav’s grip tightened slightly
“Don’t do that again”
“Do what”
“Put yourself in danger”
Reya’s voice softened
“I didn’t”
Aarav’s eyes darkened
“You being anywhere near this is danger”
That hit differently
Reya didn’t reply
Because somewhere
She knew he was right
But still
“I’m not running anymore” she said
Aarav looked at her
Carefully
“You don’t get that choice”
Reya stepped closer
“Then make me understand why I should”
Their eyes locked
Aarav didn’t answer
Because deep down
He knew
---
This wasn’t something she could run from
---
And neither could he
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To be continued
- Writer
