CHAPTER 5
The city lights blurred past us.
Fast.
Too fast.
The engine roared as Vesper took another sharp turn, barely missing a truck.
I gripped the seat.
"Are you trying to kill us?" I snapped.
"Relax," he said calmly, eyes fixed on the road. "If I wanted you dead, we wouldn't be running."
Comforting.
Very comforting.
I glanced back.
The black SUVs were still there.
Not losing distance.
Not slowing down.
Who are these people…?
"Any genius plans?" I asked.
"Working on it."
"That's not reassuring."
"It's not meant to be."
Before I could argue, he turned abruptly into a narrow street.
Then another.
Then another.
At this point, I had completely lost track of where we were.
Either he knows exactly what he's doing… or we're doomed.
After what felt like forever—
The headlights behind us disappeared.
Silence.
Just the sound of the engine.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"They're gone," I said.
"For now," he replied
Of course.
Nothing is ever that easy.
We drove in silence for a while.
Then—
My stomach growled.
Loud.
Very loud.
I froze.
No.
Not now.
Not in this moment.
He glanced at me.
Then smirked.
"I was wondering when that would happen."
"Say one word and I swear—"
"You're hungry."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
He's enjoying this way too much.
"We need to lay low for a few hours," he said, turning onto a quieter road. "We'll go to Blackridge later."
"Blackridge Medical Facility?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Specialized for agents. No records. No leaks."
Of course, something like that exists.
"They can fix your ankle properly."
"And the people there?" I asked. "Do they also fix… everything else?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"They fix what needs to be fixed."
That doesn't sound comforting at all.
We stopped in front of a small, slightly questionable hotel.
I stared at the signboard.
The Snoring Dragon Inn
One of the letters flickered like it was fighting for its life.
Another hung halfway off, as if it had already given up.
This is where we're staying?
"You've got to be kidding me."
"It's perfect," he said.
"It looks haunted."
"It looks unnoticed."
…Okay, fair point.
Inside, the place was even stranger.
Old furniture.
Faded carpets.
And paintings that made absolutely no sense.
I paused in front of one.
"Is that… Mr. Bean with Newton's wig?"
"Yes," Vesper said.
"Why?"
"I don't know."
We stared at it for a second.
Then walked away.
We got two rooms.
Right next to each other.
Even though we specifically asked for distance.
Great. Just great.
I stepped into my room and closed the door behind me.
Silence.
Finally.
I sat on the bed.
And for the first time since the chase—
Everything hit at once.
The pain in my ankle.
The exhaustion.
The chaos.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
Hospital clothes.
Messy hair.
Tired eyes.
Wow. I look amazing.
Not.
I stood up slowly.
Bad idea.
Pain shot through my ankle instantly.
I winced.
Okay… maybe not moving is a better plan.
But then I looked at my clothes again.
No. Absolutely not.
I walked out of my room and knocked on his door.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
No response.
I opened it.
Big mistake!
He was shirtless.
I froze.
He looked up.
And smirked.
Of course he did.
"So," he said casually, "you're a pervert too?"
"I'm not!" I snapped immediately, turning my face away.
Why is he like this…
"Then why are you here?"
I pointed at my clothes.
"Do I look like I can go anywhere dressed like this?"
He looked at me.
Then at the clothes.
Then back at me.
"Fair point."
He grabbed a hoodie and threw it at me.
"Wear this."
I caught it.
"…That's it?"
"You need something to wear to go outside," he said. "Unless you want to walk around like that."
Absolutely not.
"Fine," I muttered.
"You can use the washroom."
"Thanks," I said dryly.
Inside the washroom, I changed quickly.
The hoodie was—
Big.
Way too big.
It almost reached my thighs.
Why does this actually feel… comfortable?
And—
It smelled like him.
I froze.
Why did I notice that?
I shook my head.
Get a grip.
When I stepped out, he looked at me for a second longer than necessary.
Something in his expression changed.
Just slightly.
"Looks better," he said.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Obviously.
"Don't get used to it."
"I won't."
Maybe I will.
No.
I won't.
"Let's get food," he said.
"Finally."
We stepped out carefully, making sure no one was watching.
The streets were quieter now.
Safer.
But not completely.
Nothing felt completely safe anymore.
As we walked, I glanced at him.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
Like the chase never happened.
Like danger was just another routine.
Who are you really…?
"Stop staring," he said without looking at me.
"I wasn't staring."
"You were."
"I was observing."
"Same thing."
"It's not."
He smirked.
And for some reason—
That annoyed me more than anything.
But deep down…
Why does this feel… normal?