When the doors breaks
1230 Words
The pounding didn’t stop.
The noise got louder and louder until Maya felt like her house was shaking
Jason tiptoed towards the closed doorway, taking careful steps His shoulders were wide, and every bone in his back was pushing against the cloth of his shirt He looked like he was about to unleash a storm
“Jason,” she whispered, voice splintering. “If they’re dangerous—”.
He intoned softly yet steadfastly: "They are. That's precisely why you're remaining by my side. .
Her pulse kicked hard at her ribs.
Another violent slam rattled the doorframe.
Jason raised an index finger to his lips, keeping quiet; he then slipped his hand under the table, quietly grabbing the shiny metal wand he'd left there before
Maya’s eyes widened.
“You keep weapons here? ”
His gaze locked with hers.
Consider preparing only when unavoidable situations arise. .
As soon as she got a chance to reply, someone blurted out loud from the other side of the room
Jason, please open this door. I understand our purpose for being here. .
Jason froze for a split second.
Maya saw it—
The flicker of pain.
Not fear.
Recognition.
“Who is that? ” she whispered.
He didn’t look at her.
“My brother. ”
Her stomach sank.
“Your—what? ”
But the next strike broke the wood, wrecking the gears Maya jumped back in shock
Jason leaned in, grabbed her by the waist, and softly nudged her against the kitchen wall
Keep quiet and stay hidden No matter what's being said Please do not emerge until I contact you. .
“Jason—! ”
She felt his strong hand pressing against her cheek
A touch that lasted only a moment—
But said everything he couldn’t.
Then—
The door gave way.
Wood exploded inward.
Three men stormed the room.
All tall. All dressed in dark clothes.
And the one in front?
He looked exactly like Jason.
Sharper. Colder.
More dangerous.
He was always quite theatrical," he remarked as he advanced slowly with an amused grin. Maybe you'd hvae been better off just walking right in without second-guessing
Jason didn’t lift the baton—yet.
“What do you want, Adrian? ”
Adrian.
His brother.
Maya gritted her teeth and pushed herself up against the sturdy wall, her palms damp with sweat on her thighs
Adrian’s gaze flicked around the room.
You're aware of our wishes Jason's gone way over the line Now you're also dragging people along who didn't see this coming
Jason stiffened.
Maya felt the danger spike in the air.
“Leave her out of this,” Jason said quietly.
Adrian laughed.
A cold, echoing sound.
Oh dear, my younger sibling. Your requests aren't up fro grabs No matter the trouble you've caused before
His voice sharpened.
Do you think we're missing your point of view on her Do you think we're missing her importance in your life
Maya swallowed hard, throat tight.
Jason’s grip on the baton whitened his knuckles.
She's not part of the family business
“Then why are we here? ” Adrian snapped.
What's making her get alerts about warnings What's behind her sudden sense of security
A heavy silence filled the room.
Jason didn’t speak.
Adrian didn't need anything else; just a quiet nod was enough for an answer
He gave a slight tilt to his head, showing a playful twinkle in his eyes
“Ah. So it’s true. ”
Jason didn’t move.
Adrian’s voice dropped lower.
“You fell for her. ”
The words hit Maya like a shockwave.
Fell for her?
Jason?
Adrian turned his back on teh idea and headed straight for his hidden getaway spot across the room
“Come out, Maya. ”
Her heart slammed painfully.
Jason stepped in front of Adrian instantly.
“She’s not going anywhere. ”
Adrian’s smile thinned.
“Move, Jason. ”
“No. ”
Teh air was thick with tension, like a heavy blanket ready to wrap around you
Then Adrian lost his patience.
He lunged.
Jason raised his baton high above his head, stopping the attempt in its tracks Adrian felt a sharp jolt on his arm, making him stumble back
The two other men surged forward.
Jason threw something at the table's edge like a pro, but then got caught by another thing, and ended up lying on his belly
Adrian straightened, eyes blazing.
Your choices have always made you choose feelings over honesty
Jason struggled, jaw clenched in pain.
“Adrian—don’t you touch her. ”
Maya could feel her breath choking her.
She knew staying hidden was the “smart” choice.
But, watching Jason, you could see he was tense, his muscles bulging, and his face was all grim with anger
She couldn’t breathe.
She couldn’t think.
Adrian made his way to where he thought his target was hiding
She moved.
“Stop! ” she shouted.
The entire room froze.
Adrian turned slowly, eyes narrowing.
“So the girl can speak. ”
“Maya, don’t,” Jason growled, still pinned.
But she stepped out anyway, heart hammering.
Adrian looked at her like she was a puzzle he just figured out
So, it's clear that you're making Jason act on a whim
He circled her once, assessing.
“Pretty. Sharp. And unfortunately. involved. ”
Jason jerked forward.
“Don’t talk to her. ”
Adrian raised a hand.
“Relax. I’m not here to hurt her. ”.
Then he faced Maya.
“Yet. ”
Maya swallowed.
“What do you want from me? ”
“Simple,” Adrian said.
Keep your distance from my sibling. The job's on you now But you act like you don't know anything about what's happened
Her chest tightened painfully.
“That’s not fair. ”
Adrian leaned in.
“It’s survival. ”
Jason nudged teh guy holding him back for a sec before he was free again
Should you come near her—or dare to harm her—you can expect me to react accordingly. ”.
“You’ll what? ” Adrian hissed.
Should you choose her over your family Was your childhood home like a little kingdom Is it like a guardian angel keeping you safe
Jason didn’t answer.
He couldn’t.
And that silence broke something in Maya.
Adrian smiled cruelly.
“I thought so. ”
He turned to leave—
But not before delivering the final blow.
“You have twenty-four hours,” he said.
She decided to leave We'll take care of this ourselves
Jason dashed ahead, but the group stopped him, and Adrian stepped into the hallway
The door slammed shut.
Silence.
Heavy. Violent.
Maya stared at Jason, chest heaving.
He stared back—
haunted, furious, terrified.
“Maya. ”
His voice cracked.
“I’m so sorry. ”
She felt her heart shatter.
“Jason. what did you get me into? ”.
He tentatively reached out his hand towards hers, and in doing so, managed to close the gap between them, making his grip on her cheek shake unintentionally
I will rectify it," he murmured softly. I am not concerned about its price. I'm here for the long haul, not planning on leaving your side anytime soon
But before she could answer—
His phone buzzed.
One message.
Unopened.
From Adrian.
She read the preview over Jason’s shoulder:
MIDNIGHT. CHOOSE.
The world stopped.
- Writer
