Chapter 5
Everything happened too fast.
One second, we were standing there and were caught in a conversation that was already too heavy…
The next thing was a car crashed into the school gate,and he stepped out like he owned the chaos.Like he had planned it and like he knew exactly where to find her.my body reacted before my mind could process anything.I grabbed Lena's hand and Ran.she didn't argue neither did she hesitate.We ran.The screams behind us faded into noise as we pushed through the crowd. Students scattered in confusion, some running away, others pulling out their phones.But I didn't care about any of that.all I cared about was getting her away from him."Dennis—" she gasped, struggling to keep up."Don't stop," I said.I didn't dare to look back.Because I knew—If I did, I might see him right behind us.And I wasn't ready for that.we cut through the back corridor of the school building. It was quieter here, emptier. My heart was pounding so loud I could barely hear anything else,"Where are we going?" she asked breathlessly."The back exit.""He'll find us," she said.
"Not if we move."But even as I said it…I wasn't sure.Something about him felt… calculated.Like he wasn't just chasing us.Like he was playing a game.And we were already losing.we reached the back staircase.I pushed the door open and it was locked."Damn it."Lena's grip on my hand tightened. "Dennis…"I turned.
Her face was pale."He knows this place," she whispered.A chill ran down my spine."What do you mean?"
"He's been here before,I stepped back from the door, Thinking fast.
Footsteps echoed faintly from the corridor behind us.Slow and Steady.
Not running just Walking Like he knew we had nowhere to go.
My chest tightened."He's coming," Lena whispered.I looked around quickly.Then I saw it.The storage room.I grabbed her hand again and pulled her toward it.We slipped inside and shut the door quietly.Darkness swallowed us.the room smelled like dust and old paper. My breathing was uneven, but I forced myself to stay still. Lena stood too close to me.I could feel her trembling.Without thinking, I placed my hand gently over hers."It's okay," I whispered.It wasn't ok but I needed her to believe it.
Her fingers tightened around mine.
"I'm sorry," she whispered back.
"For what?""For dragging you into this."I shook my head, even though she couldn't see it clearly in the dark.
"You didn't drag me," I said quietly. "I walked in."Then there was a footsteps Right outside the door.
My heart stopped.We both froze.
The footsteps paused.Then a soft chuckle.Low and Chilling.
"I know you're here."My chest tightened instantly.He knew.Of course he knew.
Lena's grip on my hand became painful."Please…" she whispered, barely audible.I squeezed her hand gently.Stay quiet.The doorknob moved slightly.Then stopped.
"I can wait," he said calmly from outside. "You can't stay in there forever."My jaw clenched.He was right. But I wasn't going to let him take her.Not like this.Not without a fight.Minutes passed.Or maybe seconds.
It felt like forever.No movement.
No sound.Then—Footsteps follows again,it was Fading.He was leaving.
I exhaled slowly.Lena leaned her head lightly against my shoulder, her breathing still shaky."Is he gone?" she whispered."I think so."but I didn't believe it completely.
Something felt off,too easy and too quiet.
"We should move," I said.She nodded.I opened the door slowly.
The corridor was too empty.I stepped out carefully, pulling her along."Stay close."We walked slowly toward the back hallway again.Every step felt wrong.Like we were walking into something.Then—a sound behind us.the door of the storage room slammed shut.We turned instantly.
But no one was there.My chest tightened."He's playing with us," Lena whispered.I didn't respond because I knew she was right.we turned the corner—And froze.he was standing there.Right in front of us.Blocking the exit.My heart dropped."How—" I started He smiled.
"You really thought I'd leave?"Lena stepped back, her hand gripping mine tightly."Please…" she said. "Just let me go."He looked at her.
Not angry,Not rushed.Just… calm.
"I told you," he said softly. "You don't get to walk away."I stepped in front of her."You're not touching her."
He laughed quietly."You're brave," he said. "I'll give you that."Then his expression changed Slightly.Enough to make my blood run cold."But bravery doesn't save people."
My fists clenched."Try me."
There was a brief silence.Then—
He reached into his jacket.My breath caught.And slowly…He pulled out a gun.Lena gasped behind me.
My heart slammed violently against my chest."This just got serious," he said calmly.Everything in my body went rigid.This wasn't just a threat anymore.This was real.Very real."Step aside," he told me.I didn't move."Dennis…" Lena whispered behind me.Fear filled her voice.
But I couldn't step back.I couldn't let him take her.Not now.Not ever.
"Move," he repeated.I shook my head slowly."No."His eyes darkened.
And then—He raised the gun,pointing it directly at me.Time slowed.Lena's grip tightened.my heartbeat roared in my ears.
And in that moment…I realized something terrifying.I didn't just fall for her.I was ready to risk everything for her.Even my life.Then—A loud bang echoed through the hallway And everything went black.