𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐬

Chapter Seven : A Test of Strength

The tranquility of the park was shattered by the shrill sound of approaching sirens, their wailing cutting through the peaceful night air like a knife. Catherine's heart skipped a beat as she glanced around, her senses on high alert, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice trembling with anxiety.

Alex's brow furrowed with concern as he listened to the approaching sirens, his grip on Catherine's hand tightening with determination.

"I don't know, but we need to get out of here," he replied, his voice urgent.

But before they could make their escape, a pair of police cars screeched to a halt at the edge of the park, their headlights illuminating the darkness with blinding intensity. Catherine's blood ran cold as she watched in horror, her heart pounding in her chest, as two officers emerged from the vehicles and began making their way towards them.

"Stay calm, Catherine. We'll figure this out," Alex whispered, his voice filled with determination.

But Catherine could barely hear him over the pounding of her heart, her mind consumed by a whirlwind of fear and panic. She knew what this meant, knew why the police were here. Her mother had found her, had sent them to take her back to the hell she had fought so hard to escape.

As the officers approached, Catherine felt a wave of nausea wash over her, her legs trembling with fear. She wanted to run, to hide, to disappear into the darkness and never look back. But she knew that she couldn't, that she had to face this head-on, no matter how terrifying it seemed.

"Are you Catherine Hayes?" one of the officers asked, his voice stern.

Catherine nodded, her throat constricting with fear. "Y-yes, that's me."

The officer exchanged a glance with his partner before turning back to Catherine with a grim expression. "I'm sorry, but we've received a report from your mother that you've run away from home. We need to take you back with us."

Catherine's heart sank at the words, her worst fears realized in an instant. She felt as though the ground had been ripped out from beneath her feet, leaving her teetering on the edge of an abyss.

"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. "Please, you don't understand. I can't go back there. You have to believe me."

But the officers were unmoved by her pleas, their expressions impassive as they moved to take her into custody. Catherine felt a surge of desperation welling up inside her, a fierce determination to fight back against the forces that sought to control her life.

"Alex, help me," she pleaded, turning to him with tears in her eyes. "Please, don't let them take me away. I can't go back there. I won't survive."

Alex's heart shattered at the desperation in Catherine's eyes, his own eyes brimming with tears as he reached out to pull her into his arms, holding her close as though to shield her from the world.

"I won't let them take you, Catherine. I promise," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

But despite his best efforts, Alex was powerless to stop the officers as they escorted Catherine away, her cries echoing in his ears long after she had disappeared from view. And as he stood there in the darkness, alone and helpless, Alex knew that he would stop at nothing to bring Catherine back to safety, no matter the cost. For she had become his light in the darkness, his reason to fight, his everything. And he would do whatever it took to keep her safe, no matter what dangers lay ahead.