2025-03-25 23:50:30
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Dylan’s words hung in the air. Eli didn’t look away. His grip on the detonator was loose now, but he still held it.“Go,” Eli said, his voice flat. “Before I change my mind.”Dylan took a step toward him. “Come with us.”Eli’s jaw tightened. “Not yet.”Vivian shook her head. “Eli, staying here—”“I said not yet!” His voice cracked like a whip. Vivian froze.Dylan clenched his fists but didn’t push. “Then I’ll come back.”Eli gave a dry laugh. “You think I’ll wait for you?”“You’ve been waiting this long,” Dylan said. “What’s a little longer?”The scarred man moved closer to Eli. “We’re done here.” His voice was low, dangerous.Dylan stepped in front of Vivian as if to shield her. “Stay out of this.”The scarred man smirked. “Not my call. Orders are orders.”Vivian’s heart thumped hard. “Whose orders?”“Doesn’t matter,” the scarred man said. “Run along before you find out.”Eli’s gaze shifted between them. His breathing was uneven. “Go.”Dylan didn’t want to, but he knew pushing now co
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Dylan’s eyes remained fixed on Eli’s face, tracing every line, every shadow. His gaze was heavy with pain, a raw ache that seemed to reach deep into his soul. But beneath that pain was something more fragile, almost fragile enough to shatter with the slightest pressure: a flicker of hope. It was the hope that somewhere inside Eli, beneath all the anger and bitterness, there was still a part of him that wanted to be saved.He took a slow, deliberate step forward, each movement measured as if he was trying not to startle a wild animal. His voice broke the heavy silence, low but clear, trembling just enough to betray the storm of emotion roiling inside him.“Eli,” he said softly, voice barely above a whisper yet carrying through the thick, tense air. “Please… this isn’t who you are. We don’t have to end it like this. We can fix it — together. You’re not alone. Not anymore.”Eli’s hand tightened on the detonator in a grip that made his knuckles go white, the thumb hovering dangerously ove
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Vivian’s fingers tightened around Dylan’s hand until her knuckles ached. She could feel the tremor in his grip—weak, unsteady, and warm in a way that scared her. His weight leaned into her side, each step they’d taken up until now heavy and uncertain.The masked man didn’t move. He just tilted his head, slow and deliberate, like he was studying her the way a hawk studies a rabbit. His presence filled the narrow stairwell, making the air thick and stifling.Then—he stepped aside.Vivian blinked, unsure if her eyes had betrayed her. “Wait… what?”“Go,” he said simply. His voice was deep but flat, like the word cost him nothing. “Take him.”She stared at him, disbelief gnawing at her. “Why? Why would you just… let us go?”The man didn’t answer immediately. He looked down at Dylan, his eyes unreadable beneath the shadow of his mask. Then he looked back at her. “Do you really want to stand here and find out?”Her heartbeat thudded against her ribs. The sunlight from above poured down in th
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Vivian carefully helped Dylan stand up. His legs felt like they were made of paper, shaking and weak. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close to steady him. His breaths came out rough and uneven, like he was trying to catch every bit of air he could.“Okay,” Vivian whispered, her voice soft but firm. “We need to get out of here. We have to move, right now.”Dylan blinked slowly, trying to focus on her face. His eyes looked tired, heavy with pain, but there was still a little spark inside them. He gave a weak nod, trying to be strong for her.“I’m right here,” she said, squeezing him gently. “I’m not leaving you. Not now. Not ever.”The man’s voice echoed down from above, louder this time. “You have ten seconds. Move, or we come down and take you.”Vivian’s heart hammered so hard in her chest she thought it might burst. She looked up at the dark shadow blocking the stairs, then back at Dylan. He gave her a small, tired smile that somehow made her feel like she wasn’t alone.
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Vivian’s eyes widened. “Dylan!”She twisted toward the staircase, heart hammering. “Stay there! I’m coming down—”“Don’t!” Dylan’s voice cracked but carried enough force to stop her mid-step. “You run, Vivi. Get out!”The masked man chuckled, a low, almost amused sound. “Oh, how noble. The hero bleeds in the dark while the little rabbit tries to fight the wolf.”Vivian’s glare snapped toward him. “Shut your mouth.”Molly let out a short laugh, folding her arms. “Wow. That temper. You haven’t changed.”Vivian stared at her, trying to read her face. “Molly, what happened to you? We’ve been looking for you for hours. We thought—”“Dead?” Molly’s smirk deepened. “Yeah. That’s the point.”Vivian’s jaw clenched. “You… you wanted us to think you were gone?”“Not just you,” Molly said, stepping closer so the dim light caught her grin. “Everyone. It makes the trap sweeter.”Dylan’s cough came from below, harsh and wet. “Vivi… she’s not your friend.”Vivian’s stomach twisted. “I’m starting to f
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They moved slowly, every step a struggle.Vivian’s arms shook from holding Dylan up. His weight was heavy, but she didn’t care. They had to get out—had to find Molly.The smoke was thick. It burned her throat and made her eyes sting. The tunnel behind them was dark, the collapsed part blocking their way like a wall they couldn’t climb.“Come on, Dylan,” she whispered, voice barely louder than a breath. “You gotta stay with me.”Dylan gritted his teeth, swaying but steady. “Can’t… leave you.” His voice was rough, like he was swallowing glass.Vivian glanced around, trying to find another way. The tunnel was narrow, and the only light came from flickering bulbs high on the ceiling, some broken, some buzzing with electricity that could go out any second.“Wait,” she said suddenly, stopping.Dylan almost fell, but she caught him just in time.“What?” he asked, confused.“There.” She pointed ahead where the tunnel bent sharply. “I think I see a door. Emergency exit maybe.”Dylan squinted t
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