The night was quiet, almost too quiet. Lara and Ethan had spent hours trying to process what had just happened, walking through empty streets, holding each other close, trying to convince themselves that the danger had passed.
But something in the air… it didn't feel right.
"I… I can't shake the feeling she's watching us," Lara admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She held Ethan's hand tighter, like if she let go, everything would collapse.
He nodded, his jaw tight. "I know. I feel it too. But we can't just hide forever. We need to face it."
They had no plan, no backup, nothing but each other—and maybe that was enough, maybe not. Lara didn't know anymore.
As they approached the bridge near the river, the lights flickered, one, two, three times, before plunging the whole path into shadows.
"Ethan…" Lara said nervously. "Maybe we should—"
But she didn't finish.
A figure suddenly appeared from the darkness. Quick. Silent. Fast as lightning. Before either of them could react, a sharp object flashed in the dim light—a knife, or maybe a blade. Lara screamed.
Ethan reacted instantly, pulling her behind him. The blade grazed his shoulder, and he grunted, biting back a scream. Blood started to stain his white shirt.
"Stay back!" Ethan shouted, voice shaking, more from fear than anger. "Lara… stay!"
But she couldn't. She refused to run. Not now. Not after everything.
The woman stepped into the light. The same one from before, her eyes glittering with something that made Lara's stomach twist: satisfaction? Or… madness?
"You're not supposed to be here," she said, voice icy. "But since you are… let's see if love can survive this."
Ethan pushed Lara behind him again. "You'll never touch her," he growled. "I swear… I'll—"
But the woman didn't answer. Instead, she moved fast, disappearing into the shadows before anyone could even blink. And then—silence.
Lara's heart was hammering so hard she thought it might explode. She glanced at Ethan. He was bleeding from his shoulder, face pale, but eyes locked on the darkness where the woman had vanished.
"We… we can't stay here," he said finally, voice strained. "She'll come back… she's not done."
"I'm not leaving you," Lara said, her voice trembling but firm. "Not now. Not ever. Whatever happens, we face it together."
Ethan looked at her, the mixture of pain, fear, and love in his eyes almost breaking him. He reached for her, hands shaking as he brushed her wet hair from her face. "Lara… you're crazy," he said softly. "But… I don't care. I need you right now. I can't do this alone."
She smiled weakly through her fear, and for a brief second, the world felt calm again—like maybe, just maybe, love could survive even this.
But neither of them noticed the shadow moving silently on the bridge, watching them. Waiting. Patient.
Because the first strike wasn't the last.