The monitor flatlined.For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. My pulse hammered in my ears as the sound pierced through the room like a cruel laugh.“What do you mean you're too late?” I demanded, my voice cracking. “We got the antidote. We lost people getting that antidote. You have to try again.”The doctor’s hands shook as she checked Vivi’s vitals one last time. “Her body isn’t responding. The venom already damaged too much of her system.”“Then do something else!” I shouted, grabbing her arm. Desperation made me rough. “There has to be another way. Increase the dosage. Try another formula. Anything!”“Champion Kae, please.” She gently pulled free. “You need to listen to me.....”“No,” I erupted, stepping back toward Vivi’s bedside. “You have no idea the hell I went through to get that antidote". I hissed, "Because it seems you are only saying this to cover up your failure and negligence.”The doors hissed open and more medical staff entered. I saw it in their faces with that look. Thi

The rest of the verdict was when I knew my life was completely sealed.I was told my penalty included restricting me from seeing my siblings and losing my custody over them as they would be given back to Sera.I plead severally to please pardon mercy."I'll accept any other penalty but don't take them back to my step aunt." I begged.Since I got back from the trial, I haven't seen Sera and I hoped it remained that way but making them take the twins back to her is far dangerous than letting them off without me. I can't disturb Mila again, especially not in her condition."Already regretting your decision?"I looked up to see Raven staring down at me, arms crossed."No. My brother is alive.""Can't say the same for the others who lost theirs." He paused. "You folks only made it out because Xavier refused to let his wife die.""I know," I said quietly.Raven studied me, then shook his head. "We have seventy-two hours before the mission. We should—""Can I see them first?" I interrupted.

My blood ran cold as I stared at the message. No, it can't be. This isn't happening. Without thinking, I stood up and dashed out, ignoring Vira who was calling behind me.The party noise faded as I made my way to what looked like an abandoned storage facility with its door hanging open.Inside was darkness, flickering emergency lights, and dripping water. "Mila?" I called out. "Are you in here? Can you hear me?" As I got in, something clicked under my foot with a beeping sound following immediately.The explosion was quick and instant that it hurled me backward in a wave of heat and pressure. I hit my back hard on something that shot pain right through me, together with ringing ears and dizziness. When I regained myself, I found myself buried in debris, bleeding, with shrapnel in my shoulder and something sharp through my left thigh.The facility was on fire now, flames spreading across old fuel stains.I was led right into a trap."No," I gasped, trying to stand. My leg gave out

The gunshot came first with a thunderous crack that split the night in half.That was a fearful shot as it redirected itself again at us though I knew it was meant for me. My body launched forward, arms outstretched to shield him. The impact came hard as a fist collided with my ribs, sending shock waves of pain through my already broken body. I crashed to the ground, gasping.Then another gunshot cracked through the air.The scarred man staggered back, clutching his shoulder. Blood seeped between his fingers as he snarled in rage.Jabari stood behind him, holding a pistol with shaking hands."How did you—?" I started.He pointed at Addy who moved leaned towards Little. "At the glove compartment," Addy's voice called from inside the wreckage. "Forgot I had something in this whole chaos.” Her eyes fell back at Little as she kept applying pressure to Little's wound. Jabari fired again, forcing the bandits to scatter. "This is our chance!"Addy tied the piece of cloth from the counter

They say the hardest choices test who you really are. But no one tells you what it feels like when the person you’d die for becomes the price of survival.I have been in the hospital wing throughout, my mind reeling as I wondered if I made the right choice. Well, the obvious one. I saw a doctor walk out of the surgical ward and quickly rose to my feet to get him. “Are you a close family member?” We have known each other all our lives to the point that we are practically siblings. She has no other than two older foster siblings that don't care about her. “Yes, I am. Any problem?”“We have brought her back to life, but there is a dire complication.”I blinked. That sounded like bad news brewing. “Which is?”He pressed his lips together. “Unfortunately, we can only save one of them,” the doctor stated, and began describing what was going on. My mind went blank before panic and paranoia settled in like uninvited guests. “So will all these be solved if she's saved?” I asked and the