Kavya's steps were unsteady.
The world around her still felt like it was spinning—blurred at the edges, unstable, unreal.
"Aarav…" she whispered.
"I've got you," he said again, his arm firmly around her, holding her upright as they moved away from the storage room.
The corridor stretched ahead—empty, silent.
Too silent.
"We need to get outside," Aarav said, scanning their surroundings.
Kavya nodded weakly.
But before they could move further—
Footsteps.
Fast.
Coming from the staircase.
Aarav's grip tightened.
"They're here," he muttered.
Kavya's heart dropped.
"We just got out…" she said breathlessly.
"And now we run," Aarav replied.
They moved.
Fast.
Not sprinting—not yet.
But fast enough to stay ahead.
Kavya tried to keep up, her legs still shaky from the gas.
"Can you run?" Aarav asked quickly.
"I don't have a choice," she said.
That was enough.
They turned sharply into another corridor—
Then another—
Trying to lose direction.
Trying to confuse anyone following.
But the footsteps didn't stop.
They were getting closer.
"Aarav…" Kavya whispered, panic rising.
"I know," he said.
He looked around quickly—
Then pointed ahead.
"Stairs."
They ran down.
Two steps at a time.
Kavya nearly slipped—
But Aarav caught her again.
"Careful!"
"I'm fine," she said quickly, even though she clearly wasn't.
They reached the ground floor.
Voices echoed nearby.
More than one.
"They've surrounded the building," Aarav said.
Kavya's breath hitched.
"So what do we do now?" she asked.
Aarav's eyes moved fast.
Calculating.
Searching.
Then—
He saw it.
A side exit.
Half-open.
"There," he said.
They ran toward it.
Every second felt longer.
Every step heavier.
They reached the door—
And pushed it open.
Fresh air hit their faces.
Freedom.
For a moment.
"Stop!"
A voice shouted behind them.
They didn't stop.
They ran.
Out into the open campus.
The sky was dark now.
Lights flickered across the grounds.
Kavya's breathing was uneven.
Her strength fading.
"I can't…" she said.
"You can," Aarav replied firmly.
"I can't keep up—"
Aarav stopped suddenly.
Kavya almost stumbled into him.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
He looked at her.
Serious.
Focused.
"Listen to me," he said.
Her heart pounded.
"They're after you more than me right now."
"What?" she said.
"You're the target," he continued.
"So you need to get away."
Kavya shook her head immediately.
"No."
"Kavya—"
"I'm not leaving you!" she snapped.
Aarav's voice hardened.
"This isn't about what you want."
"And this isn't about you deciding for me!" she shot back.
Silence.
The footsteps were getting closer again.
No time.
Aarav made a decision.
He grabbed her shoulders.
"Trust me," he said.
"I do," she replied instantly.
"Then go."
Kavya's eyes filled with frustration.
"No."
Aarav's jaw tightened.
Then—
Without warning—
He pulled her into him.
Kavya froze.
Not because of fear.
But because of the sudden closeness.
His heartbeat.
Fast.
Strong.
Right there.
"Listen carefully," he whispered near her ear.
Her breath caught.
"There's a gate near the east wall," he said.
"It's usually locked—but tonight it won't be."
"How do you know?" she asked softly.
"Because I made sure of it."
A pause.
"Go there. Don't stop. Don't look back."
Kavya pulled back slightly.
"What about you?"
Aarav's eyes met hers.
"I'll handle them."
"No," she said immediately.
Aarav's expression softened.
For just a second.
"You said you trust me," he said.
Kavya hesitated.
Because she did.
But that didn't make it easier.
"I hate this," she whispered.
Aarav almost smiled.
"Good," he said.
"That means you're thinking clearly."
The footsteps were very close now.
No more time.
Kavya took a step back.
Her eyes still locked on his.
"Don't do anything stupid," she said.
Aarav tilted his head slightly.
"No promises."
Despite everything—
She almost smiled.
Then—
She turned.
And ran.
Aarav watched her go.
Until she disappeared into the darkness.
Then—
His expression changed.
Calm.
Focused.
Cold.
The footsteps stopped behind him.
Three men.
Same ones from before.
"Where is she?" one of them asked.
Aarav didn't turn.
"Gone," he said.
The man stepped closer.
"You think you can protect her?"
Aarav finally turned.
And there was something in his eyes—
Something dangerous.
"I don't think," he said quietly.
"I know."
Back on the other side of campus—
Kavya ran.
Her lungs burned.
Her legs ached.
But she didn't stop.
Not even for a second.
Because for the first time—
She understood.
This wasn't a game.
This wasn't confusion anymore.
This was survival.
She reached the east wall.
And there—
A small gate.
Slightly open.
Just like Aarav said.
Kavya pushed it open.
Stepped outside.
And stopped.
Her breath caught.
Because someone was standing there.
Waiting.
In the shadows.
And as they stepped forward—
Kavya's heart dropped.
"Hello, Kavya."
It was a familiar voice.
A voice she didn't expect.
A voice she didn't want to hear.