Scars that Healed Us

Part 5

The streets blurred by as the lights flickered in his peripheral vision. He didn't know where she was, but he knew he couldn't sit still. His mind flashed to the threats he had received in the past, the enemies lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike. And she was vulnerable. His mind was racing as fast as his car. He had no intention of letting her become a pawn in someone else's game. He couldn't deny that beneath all the walls he had built around himself, the thought of something happening to her terrified him in ways he wasn't ready to acknowledge.

Meanwhile, the walk back to the mansion felt like an eternity to her. Every step seemed heavier than the last, and she was engulfed in a haze of confusion and exhaustion. The night had closed in, and she found herself in a dark, narrow alley. The streetlights flickered dimly, casting long, eerie shadows across the crumbling walls. She looked around, suddenly realizing she didn't recognize her surroundings. Panic gripped her chest. She had taken a wrong turn somewhere. How had she ended up here? Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to orient herself, but nothing looked familiar.

A chill ran down her spine as she noticed how quiet the alley was—too quiet. There was no one around, no one she could call out to for help. She was alone, lost, and the fear began to crawl its way into her bones. As she stood there, frozen in uncertainty, her eyes drifted down to her feet, and she realized they were bleeding. Her soles were torn from the rough ground, the cuts deep and raw. She had forgotten her slippers at the park, having sat with her legs curled up on the bench, lost in her thoughts. Now, with each step, the pain in her feet intensified, a brutal reminder of her vulnerability.

Suddenly, a new fear took hold of her heart. She wasn't alone after all. In the shadows behind her, she noticed movement. She turned her head slightly, her pulse quickening. There were men—a group of them—stumbling through the alley. Their drunken laughter echoed, bouncing off the walls. Her breath hitched. They were following her. She hadn't seen them at first, but now their presence was undeniable, their predatory gazes locked on her. Panic surged through her veins. She tried to calm herself, telling herself not to show fear, but it was too late. Her feet moved before her mind could catch up.

She started walking faster, hoping to outrun them. But the sound of their footsteps quickened behind her. She wasn't fast enough. Her heart pounded as fear gripped her tighter. The alley seemed to stretch endlessly, every step feeling like a struggle. Faster, faster, she urged herself. The men were gaining on her. She turned the corner, her breathing ragged, and spotted the highway in the distance. Cars zoomed by, headlights piercing through the dark night. It was her only chance. She broke into a run, despite the pain searing through her feet.

The drunk men were still chasing her, their slurred voices calling out, taunting her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw them coming closer. Her blood ran cold. Desperation took over, and she pushed herself harder, her legs burning as she sprinted toward the highway. She could hear the cars rushing past, and the sound was both terrifying and reassuring. She just needed to get there—then someone would see her, someone would stop. But before she could reach the edge of the road, she felt a hand clamp down on her arm, rough and forceful.

One of the men had caught her.

Panic exploded within her. She wasn't weak—she knew how to fight—but at that moment, she was drained, mentally and physically. Still, instinct kicked in. She swung her elbow back hard, jabbing it into the man's stomach with all the strength she could muster. He groaned, his grip loosening just enough for her to break free. She didn't look back. She ran—ran straight into the highway, her legs moving on pure adrenaline. She was blinded by fear and the glaring lights of oncoming cars.

Suddenly, a pair of headlights appeared directly in front of her, blinding her in their intensity. Before she could react, she felt the impact—a forceful, jarring collision as her body slammed into the car. Her vision blurred as she hit the ground, the cold, hard asphalt scraping against her skin. Pain shot through her body, and everything around her seemed to slow down. The world spun as she lay there, disoriented and gasping for air. She could faintly hear the sound of car brakes screeching and the muffled voices of people nearby. But all she could feel was the cold night air pressing down on her as darkness began to close in around her.