The door shook violently.
BANG.
BANG.
BANG.
Each удар echoed through the apartment like a countdown.
Liora's heart pounded in sync with the noise.
"They're breaking in," she whispered.
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
He was already moving.
Fast.
Focused.
He grabbed a small duffel bag from the corner of the room and unzipped it. Inside were weapons, ammunition, and things Liora didn't even recognize.
Her eyes widened.
"You came prepared."
"I always am."
Another удар hit the door.
The wood cracked slightly.
"They won't take long," Adrian said.
He pulled out a handgun and checked it quickly before tucking it behind his back.
Then he looked at Liora.
"Can you climb?"
She blinked.
"What?"
"Windows. Fire escapes. Anything."
"I… think so?"
"That's good enough."
BANG.
The door frame splintered.
Liora flinched.
Adrian grabbed her hand.
"Stay close. Don't let go."
This time, she didn't argue.
He led her quickly through the apartment and into a narrow hallway that ended at a window.
Rain streaked across the glass outside.
The fire escape beyond it was old and rusted.
"Seriously?" Liora said.
"You prefer the front door?" Adrian replied.
Another loud crash came from behind them.
The door was seconds from breaking.
"Point taken."
Adrian forced the window open.
Cold air rushed in immediately, carrying the sound of rain and distant sirens.
He stepped onto the fire escape first, testing the metal.
It creaked under his weight.
"Careful," he muttered.
Then he reached out his hand.
Liora took it and stepped out after him.
The metal felt slippery beneath her shoes.
The rain made everything worse.
Below them, the alley stretched into darkness.
Too far to jump.
"We're going up," Adrian said.
"Up?"
"Less predictable."
Another crash echoed from inside the apartment.
Then—
The door finally broke.
Voices filled the room behind them.
"They're on the fire escape!"
Adrian cursed under his breath.
"Move."
They climbed.
Fast.
The metal stairs groaned with every step.
Rain soaked through Liora's clothes, making her movements heavier.
Her hands slipped slightly on the railing.
"Careful," Adrian said, steadying her.
Footsteps followed behind them.
Closer.
"Stop them!"
A gunshot rang out.
BANG.
The bullet hit the metal railing just inches away.
Liora gasped.
"Don't look down," Adrian said.
"I wasn't planning to!"
Another shot echoed.
Adrian turned slightly and fired back.
BANG.
BANG.
The attackers ducked for cover.
It bought them a few seconds.
"Keep moving," he said.
They reached the rooftop.
Adrian pulled Liora up just as another bullet struck the edge of the stairs.
The rain poured heavily across the open space.
The rooftop was wide and empty, surrounded by low concrete walls.
No immediate cover.
"No way out," Liora said, breathless.
Adrian scanned the area quickly.
Then his eyes locked onto something across the gap between buildings.
Another rooftop.
Slightly lower.
Separated by a narrow alley.
"You've got to be kidding," Liora said.
Adrian looked at her.
"Can you jump?"
Her eyes widened.
"In the rain?!"
"Liora."
His voice was calm.
But firm.
She looked at the gap.
Then back at him.
Then back at the gap.
"…I hate you."
"Noted."
Footsteps burst onto the rooftop behind them.
"They're here!"
No more time.
Adrian grabbed her hand.
"Run."
They sprinted across the rooftop.
Rain blurred Liora's vision.
Her heart pounded wildly.
The edge came closer.
Closer.
Closer—
"Jump!"
They leaped.
For a split second—
There was nothing beneath them.
Then—
They landed hard on the other rooftop.
Liora stumbled, nearly falling, but Adrian caught her.
"Don't stop," he said.
Behind them, one of the attackers attempted the jump.
He didn't make it.
A loud crash echoed as he fell into the alley below.
The others stopped at the edge.
"Damn it!"
Adrian didn't look back.
He pulled Liora toward the stairwell of the next building.
They rushed inside.
Down the stairs.
Through a dark hallway.
Out into another street.
They didn't stop running until the city lights swallowed them again.
Finally—
Adrian slowed.
Then stopped.
Liora bent forward, trying to catch her breath.
"I… can't… do this…" she gasped.
Adrian glanced around, making sure they weren't being followed.
For now…
They were safe.
For now.
Liora straightened slowly.
Rain dripped from her hair and clothes.
She looked at him.
"You were going to leave me again, weren't you?"
Adrian didn't answer.
"That's why you told me to go home," she continued.
He finally spoke.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because this is my world."
His voice was quiet.
Dangerously calm.
"And it destroys everything it touches."
Liora stared at him.
The rain fell between them again, just like the first night they met.
"But I'm already in it," she said.
Adrian clenched his jaw slightly.
"That's exactly the problem."
Silence.
Then Liora stepped closer.
Her voice softer now.
"Then don't leave me in it alone."
Something in her words hit him.
Hard.
For a moment, Adrian said nothing.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"…There's no turning back after this."
"I know."
"You'll be hunted."
"I already am."
"You might not survive."
Liora held his gaze.
"Then I'll survive with you."
The rain grew heavier.
Adrian looked at her for a long moment.
Then—
He made his decision.
"…Alright."
Her heart skipped.
"But you follow my rules."
She nodded immediately.
"Deal."
Adrian turned slightly, scanning the dark street ahead.
His voice dropped.
"From now on…"
He looked back at her.
"You don't leave my side."
Liora tightened her grip on her bag.
For the first time since all of this began…
She wasn't just running anymore.
She was choosing this.
Choosing him.
And somewhere deep in the shadows of the city—
People were already preparing to hunt them again.
Because now…
It wasn't just about Adrian anymore.
It was about both of them.
Together.
Against a world that wanted them gone.