We got out of the water and dried ourselves, changing into casual clothes. After that, Jackie took me out on a date. We walked through the park, laughing and holding hands like nothing in the world could touch us.
For a while… everything felt normal.
Later, we returned to our room still smiling and talking softly.
But the moment we opened the door… everything changed.
There were men dressed in black inside our room.
My heart dropped.
"You!" I gasped.
"Get him," their leader ordered. "Don't touch the girl."
Before I could react, they grabbed Jackie.
"Stop! Leave him!" I screamed, rushing forward, but I was held back.
Jackie struggled, but they were too strong. They dragged him away while I kept screaming his name.
"Jackie!"
I fought to reach him, but they pushed me back and forced me out of the room too.
They took me outside and pushed me into a car.
People were around, watching—but no one moved. No one helped. Fear kept everyone silent.
I kept screaming, but my strength faded. My head started spinning, my heart pounding painfully hard. My vision blurred as panic took over me.
Everything went dark.
When I opened my eyes again, I was in a neatly arranged room.
And in front of me stood the leader.
He was too close.
"Leave me!" I shouted, trying to move back—but I realized my hands were tied to the bed.
"Calm down," he said quietly.
"What do you want?" I demanded, my voice shaking.
He reached out and touched my face.
I turned away instantly.
"I want you," he said simply.
My stomach dropped.
"Let me tell you a story," he continued.
I stayed silent, breathing fast.
"Once upon a time, your father created AI machines. He became rich and famous… but it was never enough. So he created something more advanced… something called Pulse."
My eyes widened slightly.
"You are Pulse," he said, watching me carefully. "Half human… half machine."
"That's not true…" I whispered.
He continued anyway.
"You were hidden and raised by the Uroms. Everything about your life has been controlled."
My breathing became uneven.
"I don't just want what you are made of," he said softly. "I want you."
My voice shook. "No…"
He stepped closer.
"Everyone wants you, Pulse," he said. "I was going to sell you… but I changed my mind."
My chest tightened.
"Let me go!" I screamed.
Suddenly, loud footsteps echoed outside.
The door burst open.
"Step away from her."
My father's voice filled the room.
Behind him stood armed men.
The leader froze.
Another figure rushed in—my mother.
"Baby!" she cried, running straight to me.
My heart shattered with relief.
"Mom!" I gasped.
She reached me and pulled me close immediately, holding me tightly even though I was still tied.
"Don't touch her," my father said coldly.
The men in black stepped back.
My father moved forward, his expression sharp and controlled.
"You should have never taken her," he said.
The leader's confidence faltered.
Within seconds, everything changed.
My father gave a signal, and the men were restrained.
Everything he controlled… was gone.
They untied me, and we quickly moved outside.
But before we could enter the car, I suddenly felt dizzy like always. My vision blurred, and everything around me started fading.
I fell.
"Baby!" I heard faintly.
Daddy quickly carried me into the car.
The next thing I knew, I woke up at home.
There was a cute boy sitting beside me, his arm bandaged.
I looked at him, confused.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I'm Jackie… your Jackie," he replied softly.
I frowned slightly.
"I don't know you."