The night had grown cold, the air thick with an unsettling silence that weighed heavily on the world around me. My footsteps echoed in the empty streets as I walked, trying to clear my mind, trying to ignore the pull of everything I had left behind.
But something was wrong. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, my senses sharp and alert, as if something-someone-was watching me. I glanced over my shoulder, my heart racing, but there was nothing. Nothing but the eerie stillness of the night.
I continued walking, my thoughts clouded with confusion and fear. The past few days had been a blur. The dream about Rosalia had shaken me, leaving me feeling more vulnerable than I had ever felt in my life. It was as though I was being pulled in a million different directions, each part of me trying to grasp for something familiar, something to hold on to.
And then, it happened.
A sudden rush of movement-a shadow darting out from an alley. I barely had time to react before I felt the cold metal of a blade slice across my side, sharp and unforgiving. I gasped, stumbling back, my hand instinctively pressing against the wound, blood oozing through my fingers.
Before I could even comprehend what was happening, another figure lunged at me, the glint of the blade gleaming in the dim light. They were quick, calculating-too fast. Panic gripped me, but my legs wouldn't move. My body felt numb, my vision swimming in and out of focus as the pain surged through me.
I had no strength left to fight.
Another slash. Another scream.
And just as the blade was about to plunge deep into my chest, I heard it.
A voice. Cold, familiar, and unwavering.
"Enough."
The words were sharp, cutting through the chaos like a blade of their own. The attacker froze, their arm halting in midair, the knife inches from my heart.
Aonmi.
I didn't even have to look to know it was him. I could feel him, his presence so intense it drowned out everything else. The air around me seemed to shift as he appeared beside me, his form a blur of motion.
In one fluid motion, Aonmi gripped the attacker's arm, twisting it with terrifying precision until the knife fell to the ground. The figure stumbled back, startled, but Aonmi was relentless. He moved like a predator, every step measured and deliberate. Before the assailant could even think about running, Aonmi had him pinned to the ground, his face cold and unreadable.
"You... you're not supposed to be here," the attacker gasped, struggling beneath Aonmi's grip.
"Neither are you," Aonmi hissed, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm not going to let you hurt her."
The words were a promise, and the threat in his tone made it clear he wasn't going to let anyone stand in his way.
I could barely breathe, my body trembling from both the pain and the sudden shock of it all. The bleeding didn't stop, and my vision was fading in and out. Aonmi glanced at me, his eyes flashing with something darker-something I couldn't place. But there was no time to dwell on it.
"Stay with me, Addison," he said, his voice softer, though still tense. His eyes flickered with a mix of anger and something else, something more desperate. "Please."
I could barely hold onto consciousness, my breath coming in shallow gasps. But I nodded weakly, trying to find my bearings, trying to focus on his presence. Despite everything that had happened between us, despite everything I had been running from, in that moment... he was the only thing keeping me tethered to this world.
Aonmi turned back to the attacker, his grip tightening. The figure was still struggling, but they were no match for him.
"You're lucky she's not dead yet," Aonmi said with a deadly calm, his voice carrying a chilling edge. "But I will make sure you won't get the chance to try again."
The attacker made one last, futile attempt to break free, but Aonmi was too fast. In a flash, the man's body went limp as Aonmi knocked him unconscious, leaving him sprawled out on the cold pavement.
Aonmi turned back to me, his eyes softening just slightly as he knelt beside me, his hand reaching for my wound. "I'm not going to let you die, Addison," he said, his voice laced with urgency. "I can't. Not like this."
I wanted to say something, anything, but my body wouldn't cooperate. The pain was too much, and everything around me felt distant. My vision blurred even further as I slumped against the wall, gasping for air.
"I'll get you to safety," Aonmi continued, his voice now firm, filled with a raw intensity that sent shivers down my spine. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something small-something that shimmered faintly in the dim light.
A vial.
Before I could process what it was, he uncorked it and tilted it gently to my lips. A strange warmth spread through me, and I felt the pain dulling, the bleeding slowing, as if the wound itself was healing before my very eyes.
I didn't understand what was happening, but I didn't care. I was too exhausted to fight it, too relieved to feel the pressure lifting off my chest.
"Don't speak," Aonmi murmured as I tried to say something, his hand gently pressing against my lips. "You're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you. Not again."
I wanted to protest, to tell him that I didn't want him near me, but the words died on my tongue. The warmth in my chest spread, and I could feel my energy returning, slowly but surely. The darkness around me was retreating, and I finally managed to focus on Aonmi's face.
His gaze was intense, but there was something else there now. Worry. Concern. Maybe even a hint of fear.
But I couldn't bring myself to say anything more. The world around me seemed to fade, the night swallowing me whole, as I slipped into unconsciousness once again-only this time, I wasn't alone.
_____________
The cold night air seemed to stretch forever, thick with tension as Addison slipped into unconsciousness, her breath shallow but steady now. Aonmi's grip on her remained firm, protective, though his gaze was far from calm. His mind raced, thoughts flickering faster than his eyes could follow.
What had just happened?
His heart still pounded as he looked down at the unconscious form of Addison, her face pale but her breathing steady. He could feel the rage simmering beneath the surface-the attack had been far too close, too real. And the realization that Addison was still in danger hit him harder than any blow he had ever received.
He had always tried to keep his distance from her. Tried to stay in the shadows, as she preferred. But now, with her life hanging by a thread, he understood just how far he was willing to go to protect her. The world outside their fractured relationship no longer mattered; only Addison did. And he wasn't going to let anyone take her from him again.
His mind flashed back to the memories that had haunted him-the years of searching, of loss, of finding her again only to be pushed away. Every time he thought he was closer, fate had pulled her from him, her life slipping from his grasp like sand through his fingers.
But not this time.
He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he shifted his focus to the unconscious attacker lying nearby. The man was still alive, but barely. Aonmi didn't care about him. What mattered now was Addison.
The vial he had given her had worked-he could feel it. But it wasn't enough. Not yet.
Aonmi carefully lifted Addison in his arms, cradling her against him, feeling the weight of her fragility. His breath caught for a moment, but he pushed the thoughts away. He had to focus. She needed him.
Moving quickly but carefully, Aonmi turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the unconscious attacker behind. The city seemed even quieter now, the streets almost desolate as if the world had paused for a brief, fragile moment.
His mind, however, was anything but quiet.
The memories of the past-their first meeting, the years of separation, the moments when he thought he might never see her again-replayed in his head with sharp clarity. But there was something new now. A new fear. A new urgency.
Addison.
He couldn't lose her. Not again.
He moved swiftly, disappearing down alleyways and through hidden paths known only to him. Aonmi's movements were fluid, precise, his steps fueled by a purpose stronger than anything he had ever felt before. His heart raced not with panic, but with a dangerous determination.
He wouldn't stop until Addison was safe.
Meanwhile, in the distance, a figure watched from the shadows. Hidden in plain sight, they observed Aonmi's movements. Their intentions remained unclear, but the tension in the air was palpable. Every step Aonmi took, the figure followed with the same unsettling patience.
Whatever was coming next-whether they were friend or foe-it would come soon. And the consequences were far from certain.
_________________
As Aonmi moved deeper into the city's maze of forgotten streets and shadowed corners, he could feel a shift in the air. The quiet, the heaviness, it wasn't just the lingering threat of danger. Something-someone-was watching him. His instincts screamed that he wasn't alone, and yet, there was no sign of movement, no disturbance in the air.
His grip on Addison tightened instinctively as he continued his path, her fragile form pressed against him. He wasn't about to stop. Not now. Not when he could still feel the searing pressure of the fight moments ago-so close to losing her.
But then he heard it. Footsteps, soft and deliberate.
He froze, his sharp senses immediately scanning the surroundings. The footsteps weren't the hurried, panicked kind one might expect from an intruder-they were calm, deliberate, calculated. Aonmi instinctively pulled Addison tighter into his arms, his expression darkening.
A figure stepped into view-a young man, tall, with messy black hair and a slight mischievous glint in his brown eyes. He was dressed in simple yet practical clothes, comfortable and slightly worn, though they had an easy air about them. He appeared almost casually strolling down the alleyway, though there was an unmistakable purpose in his step.
"You look like you're in a hurry," the man said, his tone light, though there was an underlying seriousness to his words. His gaze briefly flickered to Addison, still unconscious in Aonmi's arms. "She okay?"
Aonmi's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the stranger. "Who are you?"
The man raised an eyebrow but didn't seem intimidated. "Doesn't matter right now. I know this area. You look like you need a way out."
Aonmi hesitated for only a moment before his instinct pushed him to answer. "I don't need anyone's help."
The man smirked, almost as if he were amused by Aonmi's defensive stance. "Then you're walking into a trap, my friend. But if you want to take your chances, go ahead. You might make it. I don't think you will, though."
Aonmi's sharp eyes never left the man as he spoke. The stranger seemed oddly confident, and there was a level of familiarity in his words that made Aonmi uneasy. He could sense something different about him, a certain calm that didn't fit with the chaos around them.
"Who are you?" Aonmi repeated, his voice steady but laced with caution.
The man let out a soft laugh, hands in his pockets. "I told you. Doesn't matter right now. But since you asked..." He looked Aonmi over again before continuing. "Name's Marsh. I know the ins and outs of this city, and I'd rather not see you get yourself killed by wandering into the wrong places."
Aonmi's gaze hardened, but a small flicker of doubt passed through him. He didn't like people knowing where he was, let alone offering unsolicited help. And the fact that this "Marsh" was so certain of his surroundings left Aonmi feeling... off-balance.
"I'm getting out of here," Aonmi said, his voice steady but laced with warning. "I don't need your help."
Marsh didn't flinch. "I didn't think you did. But you're going to need it eventually." His eyes glanced back down at Addison, his tone dropping to something more serious. "She's not just any girl, is she?"
Aonmi froze. Something about the way Marsh said it... it wasn't an accusation or an inquiry-it was a statement. He had already figured it out. He didn't know how, but the fact that he knew so much without Aonmi saying a word made Aonmi's hackles rise.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Aonmi growled, stepping forward as if to push past him.
But Marsh stood his ground, stepping into Aonmi's path with a firm yet casual ease. "I think I do," he said. "And unless you want me to start calling in the wrong people, I suggest you listen. This city isn't what it seems."
Aonmi's patience was wearing thin, his protective instincts flaring as he glanced down at Addison. She was still unconscious, her breathing slow but steady. The last thing he wanted to do was get caught up in some kind of trap with this stranger.
But... there was something about the way Marsh carried himself. His confidence wasn't just from being cocky-it was from experience. He knew something Aonmi didn't.
"Fine," Aonmi said, his voice tight with barely contained frustration. "Lead the way."
Marsh smiled, the easy, almost teasing expression never leaving his face. "Glad you're seeing reason."
With a quick nod, Marsh turned and started walking, leading the way down a dark alley that blended seamlessly into the rest of the city. Aonmi hesitated for only a moment before following, Addison still in his arms.
As they walked, the sound of the city began to fade, replaced by an eerie silence. The closer they got to wherever Marsh was leading them, the more Aonmi's instincts screamed at him to be cautious. Something felt off.
But for now, he had no choice but to trust the stranger. They were walking into something much larger than he had anticipated. And if Addison was going to be safe, he had to let this man lead.
Marsh didn't look back as they walked, but something in his posture told Aonmi that he was more aware of their surroundings than he let on. For all his casual appearance, there was a guarded sharpness to him that suggested he knew more than he was willing to reveal. Aonmi didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit.
"Where are you taking me?" Aonmi asked after a while, unable to stay silent any longer.
Marsh didn't answer immediately, his gaze flicking to the narrow streets around them. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter. "There's a safe house nearby. You'll want to keep her out of sight for a while. People are looking for you both."
Aonmi's eyes narrowed. "What people?"
Marsh shot him a sideways glance. "Let's just say not everyone who knows about your... connection with her, is happy you're back in the picture."
Aonmi's pulse quickened at the words, his protective instinct flaring to life again. But before he could respond, Marsh held up a hand, signaling him to quiet down.
"Trust me," Marsh said, his voice almost soothing. "We'll get you somewhere safe for now. After that... we'll see what we can do."
Aonmi said nothing, but the warning bells in his mind kept ringing. He had no choice but to follow. But that didn't mean he trusted this Marsh character. Not yet.
______________
The air grew heavier as the shadows lengthened, wrapping around the narrow alleyway like a cloak. Aonmi kept his gaze sharp, constantly scanning their surroundings as he followed Marsh through the dark, seemingly endless streets. He had no intention of letting his guard down, no matter how confident the stranger seemed. If there was one thing Aonmi had learned, it was that in a city like this, nothing was ever as simple as it appeared.
Marsh led them into a quieter, more secluded part of the city. The buildings here seemed older, their walls cracked and weathered, with peeling paint and flickering streetlights. It was as if time had forgotten this part of the world, and Aonmi couldn't help but feel like they were walking into some kind of forgotten corner.
As they approached a building that appeared to be a run-down warehouse, Aonmi felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. It was like the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end, a premonition of something or someone else lurking nearby. He wasn't the only one who felt it, though. Marsh's shoulders tensed for a brief moment, his steps slowing as they reached the door of the warehouse.
Before Aonmi could ask what was going on, the door creaked open, and another figure stepped out from the shadows. This one was shorter than Marsh, with messy, pale green hair that seemed almost unnaturally bright in the dim light. His face was pale, his eyes a muted forest green, and he wore a loose, oversized hoodie with the sleeves rolled up to reveal a collection of dark tattoos. He had an aura of quiet disinterest, but there was a sharpness to his gaze, as if he was constantly reading everything and everyone around him.
"You brought someone," the figure said, his voice lazy but with an edge to it. He eyed Aonmi carefully, sizing him up as if he were a puzzle to be solved.
Marsh gave the newcomer a slight, almost imperceptible nod. "Yeah, I know him. He's in trouble."
The green-haired man tilted his head, his gaze flicking to Addison, still unconscious in Aonmi's arms. "Looks like you've got more problems than just trouble, Marsh."
Aonmi stiffened, eyes narrowing. He didn't like the way this guy was looking at Addison. Or the way he was sizing him up, like a predator deciding if he was worth the effort to chase.
"Who are you?" Aonmi asked, his voice cold and commanding.
The man smirked, the expression barely a twitch of amusement on his lips. "Xotic." He raised a hand in a lazy wave, as if introducing himself in the most casual way possible. "Marsh's closest friend. And I'd recommend not getting too comfortable, my friend. This place is more dangerous than you think."
Aonmi eyed him suspiciously. "What do you mean by that?"
Xotic's eyes glinted with a dark amusement as he stepped back to allow them into the warehouse. "You'll see soon enough."
The warehouse was even more barren on the inside than it appeared from the outside, with only a few scattered crates and old furniture lining the walls. It smelled faintly of rust and mildew, the dim lighting casting long shadows across the dusty floors. Aonmi didn't trust it, but he didn't have the luxury of being picky right now. Addison needed rest, and he needed answers.
Marsh led them further into the warehouse, toward a small room at the back. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with old tomes and documents that seemed out of place in a place like this. A single cot sat in the corner, and a small desk was cluttered with papers, maps, and various gadgets that Aonmi couldn't quite make out.
Xotic moved ahead, pulling a few items from a nearby drawer. "Get comfortable, I guess. Looks like you've got some catching up to do, Aonmi."
Aonmi stepped into the room, cradling Addison carefully in his arms. He glanced around, then back at Xotic. "What's going on here?"
Xotic grinned, unbothered by the tension. "What's going on, is that you've been running for too long, and now, you're in the thick of things. You've got a lot of people looking for you, and you've got even more people who want to know what you and your little friend are hiding."
Aonmi's expression darkened, his grip tightening around Addison. "And what does that have to do with you?"
Xotic shrugged, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. And Marsh here owes me a favor. So now, we've got a little arrangement. I get you somewhere safe, and you try not to get everyone killed."
Aonmi scowled, but his attention was pulled back to Addison. She shifted slightly in his arms, her face pale but peaceful. He couldn't afford to lose her. Not now.
"Fine," Aonmi said, his voice low. "But I'm not trusting either of you until I know exactly what you're involved in."
Xotic chuckled, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and something darker. "You'll get your answers soon enough, but for now, just relax. No one's going anywhere."
Aonmi didn't respond. Instead, he turned his focus to Addison, gently laying her down on the cot. The moment he did, Xotic stepped closer, his eyes studying her with a curiosity that unsettled Aonmi.
"You care about her," Xotic observed, a note of something dangerous in his voice.
Aonmi's jaw tightened. "Keep your distance."
Xotic raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'm not here to cause trouble. Just don't get too comfortable with anyone in this city. Not even me." His eyes flickered to the doorway as he spoke, his casual demeanor never faltering. "People have a funny way of disappearing around here."
Aonmi's gaze hardened. He knew the warning all too well. The people in this city? They weren't just dangerous. They were unpredictable. And if anything, Aonmi had learned the hard way that trust was the most dangerous thing he could give away.
"Then let's make sure Addison is safe," Aonmi said sharply, his voice leaving no room for argument. "I don't care how you do it, but make it happen."
Xotic's smirk remained, but there was something in his eyes that acknowledged Aonmi's seriousness.
"Consider it done," Xotic replied, his tone quieter now, as if the reality of the situation had finally sunk in.
Aonmi didn't look back at him as he stood vigil by Addison's side. He couldn't afford to look away. Not for a second. Not when he was already afraid of what might be lurking around the corner.
_____________________
The warehouse, once eerily quiet, felt more oppressive now. Aonmi stood by Addison's side, watching her as she slept, her breathing steady but shallow. The warmth of her form against the cot was a small comfort, but it did nothing to quell the fire that raged inside him. He wasn't used to this feeling-vulnerability.
Aonmi wasn't someone who relied on others, and yet, here he was, surrounded by people he didn't trust, in a city full of danger, with Addison the only thing that mattered.
Xotic and Marsh were discussing something in the background, but Aonmi didn't care. He couldn't afford to focus on anything else but Addison. He couldn't afford to think about what could happen if something went wrong. His mind flashed to that moment when he'd found her, how she had looked at him with such... emptiness, as if she didn't recognize him.
"Is this really her?" Aonmi muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper. He had seen too much-he had felt too much. She had changed. She was no longer the girl he once knew. But that look, the coldness in her eyes, unsettled him. He wasn't sure how to handle the person she had become. It was like staring into a stranger's eyes and seeing the ghost of someone you once loved.
The sound of footsteps interrupted his thoughts. He turned sharply, his muscles tensing instinctively, only to see Xotic approaching him with a calm but serious expression.
"How long are you going to keep standing there like that?" Xotic asked, his voice low, but there was something almost compassionate in his eyes. "You've been staring at her like that for hours."
Aonmi didn't respond, his eyes returning to Addison's still form. She looked so peaceful now, but he knew better than to trust appearances. There was a storm inside her-a storm that matched his own.
"You don't get it," Aonmi said, his voice low, almost a growl. "I can't lose her again. Not after everything. After everything we've been through."
Xotic didn't reply immediately, just stood there, observing. Aonmi could feel the weight of the silence between them, heavy like the air before a storm.
"You didn't lose her," Xotic said finally, his voice calm but carrying an edge of truth. "But you might if you keep holding onto something that's not there anymore."
Aonmi shot him a sharp glance, but Xotic wasn't fazed.
"She's different, Aonmi. That much is obvious. And the more you try to drag her back to what you once had, the more you'll drive her away."
Aonmi clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to accept that the girl he'd loved-his Addison-might never come back. The thought was too much to bear, but he could feel it deep down, gnawing at him.
"I don't care if she's different," he muttered, his voice barely audible. "I'll get her back. I don't care what it takes."
Xotic's eyes softened for a moment, but there was a hardness beneath the sympathy. "It's not about getting her back, Aonmi. It's about finding a way forward. You can't fix everything. You can't control everything."
Aonmi's eyes burned with frustration as he turned away, running a hand through his messy black hair. He didn't want to hear that right now. He didn't want to face the fact that the world had changed in ways he couldn't understand.
But then, the silence was broken once more by the sound of soft footsteps coming from the doorway. Aonmi turned, his heart skipping a beat as he saw Addison, standing weakly in the frame of the door.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her eyes were distant, as though she were still lost in some faraway place. She was still too pale, and yet there was a spark in her gaze that made Aonmi's heart lurch.
"Addison," Aonmi breathed, his voice low and full of relief. He started to move toward her, but she held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks.
"I'm fine," she said softly, her voice distant, almost detached. "I just... needed some air."
Aonmi's heart dropped. The distance in her words stung. She didn't need him. She didn't want him near her. And yet, he couldn't stop himself.
"Addison, please," Aonmi whispered, taking another step toward her. "I... I can't lose you. I can't."
Addison's eyes flicked over him, but there was no warmth in them. There was no recognition, no emotion. Just an emptiness that sent a cold shiver down his spine.
"I don't know you anymore, Aonmi," she said, her voice like ice. "Not the way you think I do. Not the way I used to."
The words hit him like a physical blow. His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, he felt completely empty, like a piece of him had been ripped away. She didn't even remember. She didn't recognize him. Not the way he needed her to.
He stood frozen for a moment, unable to respond. The words, the coldness in her tone, echoed in his mind, drowning out everything else.
Then, with an effort, he blinked, forcing himself to meet her gaze again, though it was painful.
"I don't care," Aonmi said, his voice thick with determination. "I'll make you remember. I'll make you feel something again. Because I won't lose you. Not again."
Addison's expression softened, but only for a brief moment before she turned and walked away, disappearing into the depths of the warehouse.
Aonmi stood there, his heart hammering in his chest. The weight of her words lingered in the air, suffocating him, but he wasn't going to give up. He would do whatever it took to bring Addison back. He wasn't going to lose her. Not now. Not ever.
And if he had to burn down the whole world to do it? So be it.