Chapter 17 - The Door That Finally Gave In

The metal door shook again, stronger than before. Mia felt the vibration under her feet as Adrian pulled her firmly behind him. "Stay close," he said. Another hit came, loud and sharp. The thick steel groaned. Mia whispered, "He's almost through." Adrian nodded once. "We need to move back." He guided her toward the far corner of the roof, near the emergency generator box. Cold wind roared across the open space, but it wasn't the wind that made Mia tremble. It was the man behind the door. The metal frame bent inward. Mia gasped. Adrian said, "If something happens, you run to the left corner. There's a maintenance ladder outside that wall." She shook her head. "I'm not leaving you." "You will if I say so." "No," she whispered. "I won't leave you alone with him." Adrian turned just enough to meet her eyes. "I need you to survive even if I get hurt." Before she could answer, the door crashed open with a violent screech. Adrian's brother stepped onto the rooftop—messy hair, wild eyes, a twisted smile. "There you are." Mia gripped Adrian's shirt. Adrian stepped forward. "Don't move." His brother ignored him. "You ran all the way up here. To hide her? To keep her close?" "Leave her out of this," Adrian said. "Funny," his brother replied. "I was going to say the same thing." He took a step. Adrian blocked him. "Stop." "You think you can protect her? You couldn't protect the last one." Adrian flinched. Mia's heart clenched. "Don't," Adrian warned. "Why not?" his brother taunted. "Isn't that why you keep her so close? Because you're scared to lose another?" Adrian's jaw tightened. Mia stepped out from behind him before she realized it. She grabbed his arm. "Don't listen to him." Adrian looked shocked. His brother's eyes darkened. "You shouldn't touch him. That's how it starts." Adrian pulled her back. "Don't talk to her." His brother smiled. "You're trembling. You say you're not afraid, but you are." Adrian said, "I'm afraid for her." That made his brother pause… only for a moment. "So she's the reason. She's the new weakness." "Enough," Adrian said. "Leave her." "Make me," his brother whispered. He lunged. Adrian shoved Mia aside and collided with him near the railing. The impact echoed across the rooftop. Mia screamed, "Adrian!" The brothers grappled, shoes scraping on concrete, breaths harsh, bodies crashing against the metal barrier. Adrian's brother shoved him hard. Adrian staggered but regained his balance. "You can't protect her forever," his brother said. "I don't need forever," Adrian growled. "I just need right now." He lunged again. Their bodies collided. Footsteps slipped. Someone lost footing. Mia screamed louder. "ADRIAN!"