Only humans believed silence meant safety.
For Alfian, silence meant something was moving.
He stood behind the window, his body half-concealed by thin curtains. His eyes scanned the empty street in front of the house, registering every detail—the flickering streetlight, the swaying shadows of trees, and a black car parked for far too long at the end of the road.
That car hadn't been there an hour ago.
And Alfian was never wrong about things like this.
He glanced at his watch.
02:13 a.m.
"It's started," he murmured.
In the guest room, Lisa was still awake.
She sat hugging her knees, wrapped in Alfian's oversized jacket. The masculine scent was both comforting and painful—because she knew this calm would not last.
The door opened slowly.
Lisa turned quickly. "Alfian?"
"We need to leave," Alfian said shortly.
His tone had changed.
There was no room left for discussion.
"What's wrong?" Lisa stood in panic.
"They've found this place."
The words struck Lisa's chest like a blade.
"Can we—"
"NO," Alfian cut her off. "Now."
He grabbed a small bag he had prepared earlier—documents, cash, and a new phone. Every movement was fast, trained, without hesitation.
Lisa followed him out through the back door.
The night air was cold against their faces. The sky was heavy with clouds, no moon in sight.
They hadn't gone far when—
CRASH!
The sound of shattering glass exploded from inside the house.
Alfian immediately shoved Lisa behind a low wall.
"Don't make a sound," he whispered firmly.
Footsteps followed. Two—no, three.
Shadows moved quickly across the front yard.
Lisa covered her mouth, holding back a sob that nearly broke free.
"Alfian…" her voice was barely audible.
Alfian glanced at her. Their eyes met.
And for the first time, Lisa saw something she had never seen before.
Not fear.
Not anger.
A decision.
"If anything happens," Alfian said quietly, almost a whisper, "you run. Don't look back."
"What do you mean?" Lisa's eyes widened.
Alfian didn't answer.
He stood.
And stepped out of hiding.
"I'M HERE."
His voice echoed across the yard.
Three men dressed in black turned at once.
"Target confirmed," one of them said.
Lisa stifled a scream as Alfian moved.
Not like an ordinary man.
One of them rushed forward too fast—Alfian deflected, twisted the man's arm, and slammed him down. The sound of bone shifting made Lisa's stomach turn. The second attacker came from the side—Alfian kicked him back, sending his body crashing into the fence.
The third man raised his weapon.
Lisa froze.
"ALFIAN—!"
Too late.
BANG!
The gunshot shattered the night.
Alfian was thrown backward, his body hitting the ground hard.
"ALFIAN!!!" Lisa screamed, running out without thinking.
"DON'T—!" Alfian tried to rise.
But Lisa was already on her knees beside him, her trembling hands pressing against his blood-soaked chest.
"No… no… this can't be happening…" her tears fell onto Alfian's face.
Alfian gave a weak smile.
"I told you… to run."
"Are you crazy? I'm not leaving you!" Lisa's voice broke.
Footsteps approached.
The third man advanced, gun still raised.
"Secondary target confirmed," he said coldly.
Alfian looked at him—then at Lisa.
And that was when the sacrifice happened.
Alfian grabbed Lisa's hand, gripping it tightly.
"Listen to me," he whispered through shallow breaths. "I never regretted hiding. I never regretted living as a laborer."
Lisa sobbed uncontrollably. "Stop… don't talk like this…"
"But I regret one thing."
"What?" Lisa choked.
"Meeting you… without being able to give you a safe world."
Lisa shook her head desperately. "I don't need a world! I need you!"
Alfian's smile faded further.
"And that's the problem…"
Suddenly, he shoved Lisa back with all his strength.
"RUN!!!"
In a split second, Alfian stood—blood still pouring—and ran in the opposite direction, drawing the attackers' attention.
"After him!" someone shouted.
Lisa fell to the ground, staring at Alfian's back disappearing into the darkness.
"ALFIAN!!!"
She wanted to chase him.
But her legs wouldn't move.
Her shaking hands felt something in her pocket—something Alfian had slipped there when he pushed her away.
A phone.
The screen lit up.
A single message was already open.
If you're reading this, it means I succeeded in making them chase me.
I don't know if I'll come back.
But one thing is certain—
I love you in the most selfish way possible:
I chose your life… over being with you.
Lisa's tears poured freely.
She covered her mouth, trapping the scream inside.
In the distance, gunshots echoed again.
One.
Two.
Lisa forced herself to stand.
With a shattered heart, she turned—
and ran.