novelxo Chapter 14: Into the Shadows
Ariel's POV
Lucas lunged forward, trying to wrestle the weapon from the man's hand. They struggled, both of them grunting with effort, their faces twisted in concentration. I wanted to help, to do something, but I was paralyzed with fear, my feet glued to the ground.
Suddenly, a deafening crack filled the air, and both men staggered back, blood spreading across Lucas's shirt. My heart stopped, a scream catching in my throat as Lucas fell to the ground, clutching his side.
"No!" I cried out, rushing forward, but the man shoved me aside, sending me sprawling onto the ground.
"You should've stayed out of this," the man sneered, his eyes filled with cold hatred.
But before he could do anything else, Lucas-despite the blood pouring from his wound-lashed out with a fierce kick, knocking the weapon from the man's hand. The man cursed, scrambling to retrieve it, but Lucas was faster. He grabbed the weapon and pointed it at the man, his hands shaking but his aim steady.
"Get out of here," Lucas spat, his voice hoarse with pain. "Now."
The man hesitated, his eyes darting between Lucas and me. For a moment, it looked like he might try to fight back, but then he took a step back, his expression twisted with fury.
"This isn't over," he snarled, then turned and fled into the darkness.
I rushed to Lucas's side, my hands shaking as I pressed down on the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "Lucas, stay with me," I pleaded, my voice choking with fear. "Please, stay with me."
He winced, his face pale and slick with sweat, but he managed a weak smile. "I'm not going anywhere,” he whispered, his hand covering mine.
But as I looked into his eyes, I saw the truth-he was fading fast. And we were still in the middle of nowhere, with no help in sight.
"Lucas," I sobbed, tears streaming down my face. "Don't you dare die on me. We need to find Alan. We need to—"
"Listen to me," Lucas interrupted, his voice weak but urgent. "You need to keep going. Find Alan. Get him out of this mess."
"No," I shook my head, my vision blurred with tears. "I'm not leaving you."
"Ariel, please," he gasped, his grip on my hand tightening. "It's the only way. You have to finish
I didn't know how long I sat there, holding Lucas in my arms, his blood warm against my trembling hands. Everything felt unreal, like I was trapped in a nightmare I couldn't wake up from. But Lucas's shallow breathing and the pain in his eyes reminded me this was all too real.
"Lucas, stay with me," I pleaded again, my voice cracking. But deep down, I knew he was slipping away, and no amount of begging could keep him here.
"We need... to move," Lucas managed to whisper, his voice so faint I had to lean in to hear him. "They'll come back."
His words sent a jolt of fear through me. He was right. The man who attacked us wouldn't give up so easily. We were sitting ducks here, and if we didn't get out, we'd both be dead by morning.
But Lucas was too weak to move on his own, and I couldn't carry him far in the state he was in. My mind raced, searching desperately for a solution.
"There's a car," I said suddenly, remembering the one we had hidden in the underbrush near the cabin. "We can make it to the car and drive to safety."
I gritted my teeth and wrapped Lucas's arm around my shoulders, trying to lift him to his feet. He groaned in pain, but managed to stand, leaning heavily on me.
"Come on," I urged, trying to sound calmer than I felt. "We can do this."
We stumbled through the darkness, Lucas's weight making every step a struggle. But I refused to give up. I had to get him to safety.
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Finally, we saw the car in the distance, its outline barely visible in the moonlight. I pushed Lucas towards it, trying to get him to move faster.
"Almost there," I panted, my legs trembling with exhaustion.
We reached the car, and I managed to get Lucas into the passenger seat. I slammed the door shut behind him and ran around to the driver's side.
As I started the engine, Lucas's eyes flickered open. "Ariel," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"I'm here," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I've got you."
But as I looked over at him, I saw the fear in his eyes. He knew he was running out of time.
I put the car in gear and sped off into the night, praying we'd make it to safety before it was too late. But as we drove, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, that the man who attacked us was still out there, waiting for his chance to strike again.
And then, just as I was starting to think we might make it out alive, I saw a pair of headlights in the rearview mirror, closing in fast.
My heart sank. We weren't safe yet. Not by a long shot.
"Get down!" I yelled, shoving Lucas's head below the dashboard.
The headlights grew brighter, illuminating the dark woods like a spotlight. I floored it, the tires screeching as we took a sharp turn.
"Who is it?" Lucas groaned, his voice weak but urgent.
"I don't know, but I'm not going to wait to find out!" I replied, my eyes fixed on the rearview mirror.
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The headlights were gaining on us, and I could see the outline of a car behind us. My heart raced as I pushed the pedal to the floor.
Suddenly, the car behind us swerved, trying to pass us on the left. I countered by swerving right, blocking their move.
"Dammit!" I cursed, my knuckles white on the steering wheel.
Lucas struggled to sit up, his eyes fixed on the car behind us. "It's them," he whispered. "They're not going to stop until they kill us."
I didn't need him to tell me that. I could see the determination in the driver's eyes, even from a distance.
We took another sharp turn, the tires squealing in protest. I could feel the car fishtailing, but I managed to keep control.
The car behind us was still gaining, and I knew I had to think fast. That's when I saw it - a narrow dirt road to our left.
"Hold on!" I yelled, taking the turn without slowing down.
The car bounced and rattled, but I kept my foot down, praying we'd make it out alive.
As we sped down the dirt road, I could see the car behind us hesitate at the turn. We'd gained a few seconds, but I knew it wouldn't last.
"Lucas, I need you to hold on," I said, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. "We're going to make a run for it."
Lucas nodded, his eyes closed in pain. I knew he was fading fast, and I had to get him to safety - now.
I pushed the car to its limits, the engine roaring as we sped down the dirt road. We were running out of time, and I knew it. But I refused to give up.