No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 42- Hold my hand

We climbed over the side fence, landing silently in the garden. The place was eerily quiet-too quiet.

Then, a sound.

A child crying.

I froze.

Jho and Colet exchanged looks.

"That's Aurora," Colet whispered.

A wave of fear crashed over me. If Aurora was crying, something was terribly wrong.

Without thinking, I moved forward, my body acting on pure instinct.

We moved quickly but carefully, sticking close to the shadows as we approached the side of the house. The sound of Aurora's cries sent chills down my spine. She sounded terrified.

Jho nudged my arm and pointed to a slightly open window on the ground floor. "We can get in through there."

I didn't hesitate. I climbed through first, landing softly inside what looked like a study. Jho and Colet followed right behind me.

The house was too quiet.

I could feel it-something was very, very wrong.

Then I heard it.

A faint, pained groan.

Aiah.

My chest tightened as I turned to Jho and Colet, eyes wide with urgency. We moved swiftly, following the sound down a dimly lit hallway. The door at the end was slightly ajar.

I pushed it open.

And my world stopped.

Aiah lay on the floor, barely conscious, blood pooling beneath her. Her skin was deathly pale, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. Her eyes fluttered open slightly, and when she saw me, a weak, tearful smile formed on her lips.

"Mikha..." she whispered.

My heart shattered.

I dropped to my knees beside her, my hands shaking as I touched her face. "I'm here, Aiah. Hold on, okay? We're getting you out of here."

Her hand trembled as she reached up, brushing against my cheek. "I thought... I wouldn't see you again."

Tears blurred my vision, but I forced myself to stay strong. "You're not leaving me. Do you hear me? You're going to be okay."

Jho pressed down on Aiah's wound, trying to slow the bleeding. "We need to move her-now."

Then, a sharp click echoed through the room.

I turned my head-

Adrian stood at the doorway, gun aimed directly at me.

"You should've stayed away, Mikha." His voice was low, menacing.

I positioned myself in front of Aiah, shielding her with my body. My mind raced, searching for a way out.

"I won't let you hurt her again," I said, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my chest.

Adrian smirked, taking a step closer. "Then you'll die with her."

He pulled the trigger.

Pain exploded through my shoulder as the bullet tore into my flesh, a burning sensation spreading like wildfire. I staggered back, biting down a scream as I clutched the wound. My vision blurred for a moment, but I forced myself to stay on my feet.

"Mikha!" Aiah's weak, panicked voice snapped me back.

Jho and Colet reacted instantly. Jho lunged at Adrian, grabbing his wrist before he could fire again. They struggled, knocking over furniture as Adrian fought to regain control of the gun.

Colet rushed to my side, pressing a hand against my bleeding shoulder. "We need to get out of here now!"

But I couldn't move-not yet.

I turned my gaze to Aiah, who was barely holding on. Her lips were trembling, her body shaking from blood loss. My heart clenched at the sight of her like this.

No. I wouldn't let it end like this.

Adrian managed to shove Jho off, stumbling back with rage in his eyes. "You think you can take her from me?" he spat, raising the gun again.

A surge of adrenaline pushed past my pain. I moved before he could react, grabbing the closest thing I could-a broken lamp from the floor-and swung it hard.

CRASH!

The impact sent Adrian stumbling back, the gun slipping from his grasp.

Jho didn't waste a second. She kicked the weapon across the room, away from his reach. "Colet, get Aiah out of here!"

Colet nodded and quickly lifted Aiah, carrying her toward the door. I followed, my shoulder screaming in pain with every movement.

Adrian roared in frustration, trying to go after us, but Jho blocked his path, throwing a punch that sent him crashing into the wall.

We ran.

I didn't look back.

All that mattered was getting Aiah out of there-alive.