The tunnel was filled with noise.
Footsteps.
Shouts.
Impact.
Everything blurred together.
Amina moved fast.
Too fast to think.
Every move felt natural.
Like her body remembered everything she tried to forget.
Adam stayed close.
Always behind her.
Always watching.
But something felt wrong.
Too many of them.
Too organized.
"They're pushing us somewhere," he said.
Amina blocked an attack, breathing heavier now.
"I know."
Another hit.
Another خطوة.
Then
She saw it.
A narrow side passage.
Hidden.
Almost invisible.
"There," she said quickly.
Adam followed her gaze.
"That's our way out."
They moved toward it.
Fighting through the last line.
Closer.
Almost there.
Then
Everything changed.
A loud shot echoed.
Sharp.
Close.
Too close.
Amina froze.
For a second.
Just one.
Then she turned.
"Adam—"
He was standing behind her.
Not moving.
His hand pressed against his side.
Blood.
"No…"
Her voice broke.
"No, no, no…"
She rushed to him.
"What did you do?!"
Adam tried to stay standing.
"I'm fine."
"You're not!"
Her hands were already on him.
Trying to stop the bleeding.
But there was too much.
Another shot.
Closer now.
They didn't have time.
"Amina…" Adam said quietly.
"Don't talk!"
"You have to go."
"No."
His voice stronger this time.
"Go."
"I'm not leaving you!"
"You have to."
"No!"
Silence hit between them.
Heavy.
Painful.
Adam grabbed her hand.
Firm.
"For once… listen to me."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I always listen to you!"
"Then do it now."
She shook her head.
"I'm not doing this…"
His voice dropped.
"If you stay… they take you."
"I don't care!"
"I do."
That stopped her.
For a second.
Adam took a breath.
Hard.
Painful.
"If they take you… everything we did means nothing."
Her heart broke.
"I'm not leaving you here to die!"
"I'm not dying."
"You're bleeding!"
"I'll survive."
She didn't believe that.
Not for a second.
More footsteps.
Closer.
No time.
Adam pulled her closer.
Their faces inches apart.
"Amina…"
His voice softer now.
"If I don't come back…"
Her breath stopped.
"No."
"Listen."
"No!"
His hand moved to her face.
Holding it gently.
Like before.
But heavier now.
More real.
"You don't need your memories," he said quietly.
"You just need to keep going."
Tears fell from her eyes.
"I need you."
Silence.
That hit harder than anything.
Adam closed his eyes for a second.
Then opened them.
"And you'll have me."
Her heart broke even more.
"Don't say it like that…"
Another sound.
Right behind them.
Time was gone.
Adam leaned forward.
Rested his forehead against hers.
"Go," he whispered.
She shook her head.
"I can't…"
"You can."
His voice changed.
Stronger.
Final.
"You have to finish this."
Amina's hands were shaking.
Everything inside her was breaking.
"I'll come back," she whispered.
"You better."
Silence.
One last moment.
Then—
She kissed him.
Hard.
Not soft.
Not slow.
Desperate.
Like she was trying to hold on.
Like she was saying everything she couldn't say.
Adam responded.
Weak.
But real.
Holding her like he didn't want to let go.
They broke apart.
Breathing heavy.
Eyes locked.
"Don't die," she said.
He almost smiled.
"I'll try."
Then
She stood up.
Slowly.
Like her body didn't want to move.
She looked at him one last time.
Memorizing him.
Then she turned.
And ran.
Adam watched her go.
Until she disappeared into the dark.
Then
He turned.
Facing the tunnel.
The men.
The danger.
His expression changed.
Cold.
Focused.
Ready.
"Come," he said quietly.
End of Chapter 16