I'd rather die here. I'd rather they beat me to death. Than let them touch me.
I closed my eyes. I didn't want to look. I didn't want to remember these faces. Just as my wrist was about to press harder, I heard someone shouting my name.
"Ella!"
That voice split through the darkness. I snapped my eyes open.
Urgent, heavy footsteps pounded the ground through the night, getting closer. Like thunder. Like a heartbeat.
It was Lucas.
A tall figure appeared at the end of the alley. He looked like he'd crawled out of hell. His suit jacket was gone, shirt buttons ripped open, exposing his heaving chest. His hair was wild, sweat on his forehead glistening under the dim streetlight.
But the most terrifying thing was his eyes.
Those eyes held something I'd never seen before. Something primitive, violent, dangerous—like a cornered beast.
"Let her go," his voice was low, breath ragged. Every word squeezed from deep in his throat with deadly calm. That force froze the air.
The men turned to look at him. For several seconds, no one moved.
Then Cap Guy laughed. "This ain't your business, man."
Lucas didn't answer. He just took another step forward.
Moonlight fell on his face. I saw the tight line of his jaw, that danger ready to explode. His fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white.
"I said," he repeated, voice even lower, like grinding teeth, "let her go."
The hands holding me released.
"What, buddy, playing hero, or you want her too?"
Cap Guy looked around. All three laughed and walked toward Lucas in a friendly manner. "Alright, alright, buddy, finders share. We'll let you go first."
Lucas's eyes narrowed.
"You're all fucking dead," he said.
Then he charged.
I'd never seen Lucas fight like this. His movements were fluid and precise, every punch landing on vital points. This wasn't a street brawl. This was trained. Like boxing.
He punched Cap Guy in the temple. The man dropped like a sack. Stubble-face stabbed at him with a knife. He grabbed the man's wrist and twisted hard. Bone cracked. The knife clattered to the ground.
But then Beer Bottle Man attacked from behind.
The knife slashed Lucas's arm. I saw blood seep out, staining his white shirt red.
"Lucas!" I screamed.
He spun and kicked Beer Bottle Man's knee. The man collapsed. But Cap Guy, still conscious, lunged again, thick arms locking around Lucas's neck.
"Ella," Lucas turned to me, eyes blazing, voice hysterical, "run!"
I realized I was a liability. Crying, I turned and ran from the alley. The scene bounced in front of me, tears blurring my vision. I rushed toward the street and saw a convenience store.
"Call the police!" I burst in shouting, sobbing uncontrollably. "Quick, call the police! Someone's getting killed in the alley!"
