Ethan's shoulder burned where the blade had grazed him, but he didn't care. He pressed a hand against the wound, trying to slow the bleeding, but his mind was elsewhere—on Lara, on the woman, on the fact that danger was no longer a story. It was here. Real.
"Ethan, we can't stay out here," Lara said, voice shaking. Her hands were wet from the rain, but she refused to let go of his. "She'll come back… I know she will."
He looked at her, jaw tight, wet hair plastered to his forehead. "I know," he admitted. "I don't know how many times we can keep running… but I'm not leaving you. Not now. Not ever."
A sudden sound—a footstep on the wet pavement—made both of them freeze.
The woman emerged again, faster this time. Her eyes glinted with amusement, almost like she was playing a game they didn't understand. "You think tonight ends with just a warning?" she said. "No, tonight… is just the beginning."
Ethan stepped in front of Lara instinctively, anger flashing in his eyes. "I swear… if you touch her, I'll—"
She didn't wait. With a sudden rush, she lunged, aiming straight for Ethan. But he was ready. Using Lara as a shield, he twisted and pushed her back, the blade missing by mere inches.
"Run, Lara! Go!" he shouted, but she shook her head violently.
"I'm not leaving you!" she yelled, tears mixing with the rain on her face. "I don't care what happens, I'm not leaving!"
Ethan's eyes softened for a split second—because even in this chaos, he could see the love, the courage, the stubbornness in her. And damn, it was impossible not to fall in love all over again.
But there was no time for sentimentality.
The woman attacked again, faster, sharper. Ethan barely managed to deflect, but this time he stumbled, the blade grazing his arm. Pain shot through him, but he gritted his teeth and stood firm.
"You're… stronger than I thought," the woman hissed, taking a step back, circling them like a predator.
Lara's heart raced. She wanted to run, to hide—but fear was no match for love. She grabbed a broken piece of wood from the ground, holding it like a weapon, trembling but determined. "I… I'm not scared of you!" she shouted.
The woman paused, eyes narrowing. "Bold. Very bold."
And then, just as suddenly, she disappeared into the shadows, vanishing before they could even react.
Ethan dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. Lara rushed to him, hands shaking as she checked his wounds. "You're bleeding… again!" she cried.
He smiled weakly, trying to reassure her. "I'm fine… I'm fine. Better than fine. Because you're here. You stayed."
Lara looked at him, heart hammering, tears still falling. "I told you. Whatever comes… we face it together."
For a brief moment, silence fell. The rain had stopped again, and the city seemed to hold its breath. But neither of them knew—it wasn't over. It was just beginning.
Because beneath the shadows, the real danger was waiting. Watching. Patient. And next time… it wouldn't just be a warning.