Kalix drove through the streets, eyes scanning every corner, every alley. The city lights flickered past him in a blur, but his mind was focused on only one thing—Elena
He called her again.
Still no answer.
His hands tightened around the steering wheel. A hundred thoughts raced through his mind, each more terrifying than the last. What if he was late ? What if—
And then…
He saw her.
Down the street, under a flickering lamp, Elena was crouched behind a parked car, her hands wrapped tightly around her knees, her breathing erratic. Her eyes darted around, wild with fear—like a trapped animal.
The moment their eyes met, she froze.
He stopped the car, didn't even bother turning off the engine. He ran to her.
"Hey! Hey—" his voice was trembling, soft, but urgent.
She looked up at him, her eyes glossy, shoulders shaking.
He knelt beside her slowly, careful not to startle her.
"It's okay," he whispered. "You're safe now. I'm here."
And just like that—
The wall she was holding up, cracked.
She didn't say anything. She just let out a shaky breath, and leaned forward, resting her forehead against his shoulder. He held her—not tightly, just enough to let her know she wasn't alone anymore.
No words. No explanations.
Just silence, and the sound of two hearts that had finally found safety.
After a while, when her breath began to slow, he pulled back slightly and looked at her face. Tears stained her cheeks, but her eyes—those big, observant eyes—held something different this time.
Trust.
She didn't explain what happened.
He didn't ask.
He simply said, "Let's go home."
And for the first time in a long, long time…
she felt like she had one.