I was too far.
That was the only thought in my head as everything narrowed to that single moment.
She was off balance.
They were already in motion.
I pushed forward with everything I had left.
The distance felt longer than it should have been.
Every step heavier.
Every second slower.
No
Her eyes met mine for a brief instant.
Not fear.
Not panic.
Just awareness.
She knew.
The strike was coming.
Direct.
Precise.
There was no time to block it properly.
No time to evade.
Only one choice left.
She moved.
Not away.
Forward.
The attack landed.
Not where it was meant to.
But it still hit.
Hard.
The sound of impact echoed through the street.
My body finally caught up.
I reached them a second too late.
I drove my fist into the one closest to her, forcing him back with all the force I could gather.
He staggered, surprised by the sudden counter.
But I didn't stop.
I stepped between them and her, creating space, forcing both of them to disengage for a moment.
"Back off," I said, my voice low.
They did.
Not out of fear.
Out of calculation.
I turned immediately.
She was still standing.
Barely.
Her breathing was uneven, her posture unstable, but she hadn't fallen.
Are you
I'm fine, she said, cutting me off.
She wasn't.
That much was obvious.
Blood traced along her side where the strike had landed.
She had shifted the impact.
Reduced it.
But not enough.
You shouldn't have done that, I said quietly.
And let you take it? she replied.
I didn't answer.
There was nothing to say.
We both knew.
This wasn't something either of us could avoid anymore.
I stepped closer, adjusting my position to support her without making it obvious.Can you still move? I asked.
"Enough.
That would have to be enough.
I turned back.
The two of them were watching us carefully.
Closer now.
More focused.
"She's slowing down," one of them said.
"I can see that," the leader replied.
Their confidence had returned.
Not completely.
But enough.
This ends now, he added.
I exhaled slowly.
No more chances.
No more openings.
If we made one mistake, it would be over.
I glanced at her.
She gave a small nod.
No words.
None needed.
We moved at the same time.
Not waiting for them this time.
We attacked first.
I aimed directly for the leader, forcing him into a defensive position, while she shifted slightly to intercept the second before he could close in.
They reacted quickly.
But this time
We didn't give them time to think.
I pressed forward, chaining attacks without pause, forcing him to block instead of counter.
Each strike pushed him back.
Step by step.
He tried to regain control.
But I didn't let him.
Not this time.
On the other side, she moved more carefully now, conserving her energy, choosing her moments instead of forcing them.
Smarter.
Better.
But slower.
I had to finish this.
Fast.
I stepped in again.
This time, I didn't hold back.
I took the hit he threw at me.
Let it land.
Used it.
As he committed to the strike, I moved inside his guard.
Close enough that he couldn't fully react.
My fist drove forward.
Direct.
He tried to block
Too late.
The impact lifted him slightly before throwing him back.
He hit the ground hard.
Didn't get up immediately.
One down.
Not finished.
But close.
"Now!" I shouted.
She didn't hesitate.
She moved past me, ignoring the pain, closing the distance to the last one before he could adjust.
He tried to retreat.
She didn't let him.
Her strike landed.
Not perfect.
But enough to break his balance.
I followed immediately.
No pause.
No hesitation.
We ended it together.
Silence fell.
Heavy.
The last one stood still for a moment.
Then slowly stepped back.
His eyes moved between us.
Me.
Then her.
Something in his expression changed.
Not fear.
Recognition.
…You two…
A brief pause.
…You won't last.
Before I could react
He turned.
And ran.
I took a step forward to chase
Wait, she said.
I stopped.
…Let him go.
…He'll come back.
…Maybe.
She steadied herself, her breathing still uneven.
…But if we chase him now…
She looked at me.
…we won't make it.
Silence.
She was right.
Again.
I exhaled slowly.
…Fine.
The street fell quiet again.
Too quiet.
I turned to her.
…You're really not fine.
…I said I'm enough.
A faint smile.
Still stubborn.
Still standing.
I looked at her for a moment.
Then nodded.
…We rest.
…For a bit.
Not safe.
Not secure.
But necessary.
Because the next time
We might not get another chance.