Men in black stormed through the streets, cutting down everyone in sight, children, elders, everyone.
I opened my mouth to scream, only to instantly regret it.
Every single one of the men turned their attention to me.
And just like that, time stopped.
The moment I realized they were coming straight for me, my survival instincts kicked in. I turned and bolted. If I ran like my life depended on it, that's because it literary did.
Ethan's face flashed in my mind, the way he used to chase away guys who flirted with me, the way he'd always apologize first even when I was the one at fault, the way he always protected me even to his death, I remembered how he said he was going to trade my necklace for my safety, I smiled sadly, a stray tear escaping my eye. I promised I'd pay my respects, but now? Now, I was running for my life.
Tears blurred my vision.
Someone grabbed me, and I thrashed wildly, ready to claw their face off, until a familiar voice stopped me.
"Hush, Luna. It's Victor."
"Vicky!" I gasped, burying my face in his chest.
He chuckled. "Damn, I never knew you claw like a wildcat."
I smacked his arm, in anger, he had almost given me a heart attack
Our moment was short-lived. The men in black ran past us, their weapons gleaming.
"How did they even get inside the village unnoticed?" I whispered, shaking.
Vicky's face darkened. "The guards said they… came out of their own shadows." He scoffed. "Pretty sure they were drunk."
My stomach dropped.
Their mistake had cost us everything.
"It's all gone, V," I sobbed. "The village. The people."
"I know." His voice was steel. "And they're all going to pay."
I met his gaze.
"They're here for you, Luna"
"Why, I... I didn't do anything wrong "
"I know but you need to run. I'll distract them."
"No! I can't leave you to..."
His look silenced me. It was scarier than Ethan's ever was, I swallowed hard.
"Please don't make me do this," I whispered.
His expression softened just for a second.
"I love you, we all do."
Then, before I could protest, he shoved me away and ran straight into the chaos.
Tears streaming down my face, I ran in the opposite direction. I ran like I'd never run before.
When I finally found a place to hide, I collapsed against a tree, my chest heaving, I had no idea if Vicky made it out alive, but I had to believe he did.
Closing my eyes, I tried to steady my breathing and soon enough nature won the battle