Chapter 4 A Showdown: An Escape

Anastasia dragged me through the streets, searching for any possible way out. My senses were on high alert, trying to catch any sign of danger. We heard distant voices and hurried footsteps behind us, confirming that we were in danger. We needed to stay hidden and find a way to escape.

Finally, we reached an alley where we could backtrack. It wouldn't do us any good to walk right into those killers. If they spotted us, they would surely shoot. As they passed, we cautiously emerged, making as little noise as possible, trying to control our ragged breathing. The tension in the air was palpable, and we knew we had to move quickly.

"We need to get out of here, Ivonne. We can't stay here for long; those guys might come back," Anastasia whispered, her voice trembling yet determined.

I nodded in silence, sharing her sense of urgency. I knew we couldn't linger on the streets for too long. It was only a matter of time before we were found. My mind raced, searching for a solution amid the darkness and chaos.

"We can keep walking until we find a car," I suggested in a hushed tone, trying to remain calm despite the situation.

Anastasia nodded, and together we walked, exploring the streets and checking every vehicle we came across. After several tense attempts to find an unlocked car with its keys inside, we finally came across a motorcycle with its keys. We carefully got on and started the engine. I knew exactly where we needed to go next. The feeling of freedom was overwhelming, but we knew we weren't safe yet, not by a long shot.

I looked at Anastasia with determination in my eyes.

"We're going to find help and escape this nightmare, together. We won't let them catch us," I declared. She nodded, her face illuminated by the moonlight.

"We will make it, Ivonne. I'm with you until the end," Anastasia replied with determination.

We parked the motorcycle in a corner somewhat distant from Julian's house. We knew those men were pursuing us, and the streets on this side of the city were well-lit, not dark at all.

We ran, not knowing exactly where we were headed. It had been a while since we walked these streets. The stress mixed with the adrenaline of the moment only made me feel even more confused.

We heard another loud noise; they had reached the spot where we left the motorcycle. Why couldn't they just give up? What did I do to deserve this? Nothing. I did nothing. But my aunt's ambition extended beyond the legal limits my father imposed on her. That's why she's doing all of this. With me dead, she would have everything to herself.

"Where the hell are you!?" a man shouted. He sounded quite angry, probably realizing he would lose all the money that woman who once called herself my family promised him.

"You think I'm a mind reader, you idiot. We have to find her no matter what!" his companion chimed in. Suddenly, an idea struck me – a place where we could hide: Julian's house might be our salvation.

"Ann, look at me," I said when I noticed she was on the ground, on the verge of a panic attack. "I know where we can hide, but we have to move quickly and make sure they don't see us."

She responded, stuttering, "I-it's o-okay."

I had never seen her like this. She's the one with nerves of steel, the one who remains calm in moments like this. Or at least, that's how it's supposed to be.

We walked through an alley that led to the next street, staying in the shadows of the headlights, concealed in the darkest spots possible. The hired thugs were still close, searching for me.

In the distance, I spotted Julian's house and felt trapped. We had to cross the street, risking exposure.

"There's our way out," I mentioned. "But we have to cross the street," I added, well aware of the risks.

"We'll be exposed in the headlights' glare. They could see us," my friend replied. I nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Stay calm. They're not after you. They want to kill me," I reassured her, though I couldn't entirely guarantee her safety. After all, she could potentially be a witness.

Anne accidentally bumped into a metal trash can, causing the echo of the container to draw the men's attention.

"There's the girl!" one of the men shouted, calling to the other. Then a gunshot rang out, hitting a garbage container in front of us. The men were closing in quickly.

The sensation of death lurking just behind my neck washed over me, and panic set in. But this wasn't the moment to die – certainly not now.

"What's happening?" my friend asked from behind me, pushing me forward towards Julian's house.

We ran for our lives, distancing ourselves from those men. They stayed on that block, probably waiting for the car they had likely used to follow us. We reached the front of my boyfriend's house.

"Nothing, just some memories," I replied to her question as honestly as possible. "Julian!" I shouted. "Julian, please open the door! We're being chased by some men," I yelled again, but no one seemed to be opening. A light turned on inside the huge house, sparking a glimmer of hope in my heart. "Julian, please, open the door," I pleaded once more.

Behind us, a new light flickered to life – it was that car, trailing us all this time, lurking, waiting for us to stop. They were smart.

"Julian, there's no time, open up!" I yelled once again, hoping he would take pity on us and unlock that damn door to provide us refuge. The door swung open, the light briefly blinding my eyes. I heard a gunshot and instinctively hit the ground. Two more shots followed. All I could hope for was that those two men would arrive soon to finish me off, to complete the task my aunt had assigned them. But that didn't happen.

"Get up, girl," a man appeared. I opened my eyes, the first thing in my line of sight was a hand – his hand, reaching out to help me up from the ground.

"Th-those m-men want to kill me," I managed to say with great difficulty.

"They won't be a problem anymore," he said. "Antoine!" he called someone from inside the house. He had an unusual accent, one I couldn't quite place. That man arrived. "I want you to take care of the bodies. Make them disappear or dump them in some corner. You know exactly what to do," he instructed once again.

I looked in the direction where I had seen them a few moments ago. They lay on the ground, blood pooling around them. For a brief moment, I felt a sense of relief – they were gone because of us. And then I realized.

"Anastasia!" I screamed as I saw her on the ground too, blood oozing from her mouth. I searched her body and found a bullet had entered her abdomen, who knows what it had hit.

"Do something!" I shouted at the man who had saved my life.