They burst through the hospital's glass doors, the night hitting them like a slap of cold air. Athena's breath came in ragged waves, every inhale shaky, every exhale burning. Adriel pulled her forward into the moving crowd—cars honking, street vendors shouting, the city buzzing like it didn't realize the world was collapsing behind them.
"Athena," he whispered without looking at her, "keep walking. Slowly. Don't look back."
She gripped her bag tightly. Her heart hammered so loudly she could hear it in her ears.
"Where are we going?" she asked, voice cracking.
"Anywhere but here."
"But what do they want from us?"
Adriel glanced over his shoulder. His eyes widened. "It's not just us. It's Mom. They probably want to use us to force her into working with them."
Athena blinked hard, dizziness slipping into her vision. "Mom? But Dad—"
"Don't," he cut in sharply. "If we break now, they'll win."
They moved faster, weaving through bodies, blending with strangers who had no idea danger was trailing them. Athena's headphones bounced against her collarbone with each step, like reminders of a life that belonged to yesterday.
Then it came—a voice from behind, cold and sharp.
"There! That's them!"
Adriel's hand clamped around her wrist. "Run."
They sprinted across the street—horns blared, tires screeched, someone yelled—but the world was just noise now.
Two men in black coats stepped out from the hospital entrance, eyes scanning.
"Athena," Adriel gasped, "they're here."
He shoved her into an alley. The shadows swallowed them. A rusty metal door appeared like fate, and Adriel yanked it open. They slipped inside, and he slammed it shut.
It was dark. Damp. The soundproof kind of dark.
Athena leaned against the door, shaking. "How did they find us?"
Adriel's voice was low, bitter. "Someone's been watching us since we left home."
Her stomach twisted until nausea rose.
Their house.
Their father.
Their mother's bracelet still warm in her hand.
Then footsteps—multiple—echoed outside.
"Athena, listen to me," Adriel whispered, turning to her. She couldn't see his face clearly, but she felt his seriousness like cold metal.
"You have to stay here. Hide. And no matter what happens—don't come out."
Her voice snapped into fragility. "Where are you going?"
"Out there. To distract them."
"No—Adriel—please don't—"
He closed his eyes for a moment. "Promise me you'll stay hidden."
"Promise me you'll come back for me," she whispered, barely audible.
He paused.
A pause that hurt.
"I promise."
Then he was gone.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Athena instinctively reached for it—but her hand froze mid-air.
Because outside, someone shouted, "They're here!"
Then chaos—shuffling feet, distant voices, muffled movement.
Athena slid down the wall into a dim corner, hugging her knees. The hospital smell still clung to her clothes. Her body shook violently as the weight of everything finally broke her defenses.
"Why…" Her voice cracked into nothing.
"Why did this happen? Why did all of you have to leave me?"
No one answered. The world offered silence.
"Mom… Dad… Adriel…"
Her tears soaked into her sleeve, breath weakening, heartbeat fading into exhaustion.
She whispered again, barely conscious—
"Adriel… come back."
And the darkness finally pulled her under.
She blacked out.