Crimson Vow

Run

Maya made it three blocks.

Then the car appeared.

Black.

Windows tinted.

It slowed beside her.

Maya kept walking.

The window lowered.

"Get in."

She didn't answer.

The car moved forward.

Then stopped again.

Two men stepped out.

Maya froze.

One of them smiled.

"Miss Laurent?"

She stepped backward.

"Who are you?"

"People who know Aria."

Maya's heart dropped.

She turned and ran.

She didn't know where she was going.

She only knew she needed to get away.

Behind her, footsteps followed.

She reached for her phone.

No signal.

Then-

A hand grabbed her arm.

Maya screamed.

The man pulled her backward.

Before he could do anything else, someone struck him from behind.

He dropped.

Aria stood there.

Breathing hard.

"Maya!"

Maya stared at her.

"You came."

"Of course I came."

Aria grabbed her hand.

"Run."

They disappeared into an alley.

Maya was crying.

"Why are they after me?"

"Because of me."

"What do they want?"

"You."

"Why?"

"Because you're the one thing I care about."

Aria stopped.

She hadn't meant to say it.

Maya stared at her.

Neither moved.

Then Maya whispered:

"You care about me?"

Aria looked away.

"I shouldn't."

"But you do."

Aria nodded.

"Yes."

Maya stepped closer.

"Then don't push me away again."

Aria looked into her eyes.

"I can't promise that."

"Why?"

"Because loving me is dangerous."

Maya's voice softened.

"So is losing you."

Aria's expression broke.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Maya reached for her hand.

Aria let her.

And this time, she didn't pull away.