"Move," the man ordered.
Rayan didn't resist.
Ava's voice cracked behind him. "Rayan… don't go."
He stopped.
Just for a second.
Not enough to turn around.
"Keep walking," the man warned, raising the gun again.
Rayan continued.
Ava stepped forward. "If he goes, I go too."
"No," Rayan said immediately.
"Yes," Ava replied just as fast.
The man chuckled. "Loyal. I like that."
"I'm not asking," Ava said. "I'm telling."
Rayan's voice hardened. "Ava, this isn't a choice."
"Everything is a choice," she shot back. "You taught me that."
Silence.
The man tilted his head. "You're making this complicated."
Rayan spoke without turning. "Let her go."
"She comes, or she stays dead," the man replied casually.
Ava took a deep breath. "Then I'm coming."
"No!" Rayan snapped.
"Yes," she said. "I'm not letting you disappear like this."
The man smiled wider. "Perfect. Saves me the trouble."
Rayan turned this time.
Fast.
Sharp.
Angry.
"You don't understand what you're doing," he said.
Ava stepped closer. "Then explain it."
"I can't."
"Or you won't?"
"Both."
Ava's voice softened slightly. "You said trust you."
"I meant it."
"Then trust me back."
Rayan froze.
The man clapped slowly. "Wow. This is painful to watch."
Rayan ignored him. "If you come… there's no guarantee."
"There's never been," Ava said.
"You could get hurt."
"I already am."
That hit.
Hard.
Rayan looked away.
For a moment—
He almost broke.
"Fine," he said quietly.
Ava blinked. "What?"
"You come. But you stay close. You listen to me. No arguments."
Ava nodded immediately. "Deal."
The man laughed. "How touching. Now—both of you, move."
They started walking.
Side by side.
But something felt off.
Ava whispered, "What's your plan?"
Rayan replied under his breath, "Stay alive."
"That's not a plan."
"It is for now."
They walked in silence for a few seconds.
Then Ava spoke again.
"You're hiding something."
"Yes."
"What?"
"Timing."
Ava frowned. "What does that mean?"
"You'll see."
"I don't like that answer."
"You don't have to."
The man behind them said, "Less talking."
Ava rolled her eyes slightly. "He's really annoying."
Rayan almost smiled. "You have no idea."
They reached a dark vehicle.
One of the men opened the door.
"Inside."
Rayan looked at Ava.
"Stay close," he repeated.
"I will."
They got in.
Door slammed.
Engine started.
Ava whispered, "Now tell me."
Rayan leaned slightly closer.
"Count to ten."
"What?"
"Just do it."
Ava stared at him.
"Rayan—"
"Trust me."
She hesitated.
Then—
"…one."
Rayan's eyes shifted slightly.
Watching.
Calculating.
"…two… three…"
The car sped up.
"…four… five…"
The men relaxed slightly.
"…six…"
Rayan's hand moved.
Slow.
Careful.
"…seven…"
Ava noticed.
Her heart started racing.
"…eight…"
One of the men glanced back.
"Everything okay?"
Rayan smiled faintly. "Yeah."
"…nine…"
Tension rising.
"…ten."
Everything exploded.
Rayan moved instantly.
A sharp strike.
Gun knocked away.
Door kicked open.
"MOVE!" he shouted.
Ava didn't hesitate.
She jumped out.
Rolled hard onto the ground.
Gunshots echoed.
"Run!" Rayan yelled.
Ava got up and ran.
Fast.
Breathing hard.
Heart pounding.
Behind her—
Chaos.
She heard fighting.
Shouting.
Then—
Silence.
"Ava!"
She turned.
Rayan.
Running toward her.
"You okay?" he asked.
She nodded quickly. "Yeah—are you—"
"I'm fine. Come on."
They kept running.
Far.
Far enough.
Finally—
They stopped.
Both breathing heavily.
Ava looked at him.
"You planned that."
"Yes."
"You were going to leave me behind."
"No."
"Don't lie."
"I'm not."
Ava crossed her arms. "Then what was the plan?"
"To create an opening."
"And risk everything?"
"Yes."
She shook her head. "You're insane."
"Probably."
Silence.
Then Ava stepped closer.
"You said trust you."
"I did."
"I did."
Rayan nodded. "I know."
Ava looked at him.
Long.
Deep.
"Don't do that again."
"Do what?"
"Decide things alone."
Rayan sighed. "I'm used to it."
"Well, get unused to it."
He almost smiled again.
"You're changing things," he said.
"Good," Ava replied. "You needed it."
Rayan looked at her.
Something softer in his eyes now.
"You could've died," he said.
"So could you."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Pause.
Then Ava said quietly—
"I meant what I said."
"What?"
"I'm not leaving."
Rayan didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"Okay."
That one word—
Meant everything.
But they both knew—
This wasn't over.
Not even close.
🔥