65

The forest seemed endless, a sprawling labyrinth of gnarled trees and tangled undergrowth that stretched out into the morning light. My breath came in shallow, painful gasps, each inhale scraping against the rawness of my throat. The pistol in my hand felt heavier with each passing second, the weight a cruel reminder of what we’d just been through.

Dominic stumbled ahead of me, his arm clutching his side where blood seeped through his shirt, a dark, sticky stain that spread faster than I wanted to acknowledge. Every few steps, he grunted, the sound guttural and pained, like an animal wounded in a trap. I tightened my grip around his waist, using my own failing strength to keep him upright as we pushed forward.

“Keep going,” I whispered, though the words were as much for me as they were for him.

Behind us, the faint cracks of gunfire echoed through the woods, punctuating the heavy silence like distant thunder. My legs burned with exhaustion, the muscles trembling with each step. I wanted to stop, to drop to my knees and let the earth swallow me whole, but the men chasing us wouldn’t allow it. Surrender wasn’t an option.

Dominic faltered, his pace slowing as he hunched forward, a pained groan slipping past his clenched teeth. “I can’t—” he started, his voice weak.

“You can,” I snapped, sharper than I intended. My arm tightened around his waist, pulling him back into motion. “You have to.”

The forest began to thin, patches of sunlight breaking through the canopy overhead. My heart leapt with a fragile hope as I caught a glimpse of asphalt through the trees ahead—a road. Civilization. Safety, maybe.

“Almost there,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if he even heard me.

We stumbled out of the woods, the ground beneath our feet giving way to gravel and then to the smooth surface of the road. My sneakers scraped against the pavement as I dragged Dominic alongside me. His breathing was ragged, each exhale accompanied by a wet, wheezing sound that made my stomach churn.

“Dominic, come on,” I urged, my voice trembling. “Just a little farther.”

He slowed again, his steps faltering as he leaned heavily against me. Sweat dripped down his pale face, mingling with the streaks of dirt and blood that marred his features.

“I need... I need a second,” he panted, his knees buckling slightly.

“No,” I said firmly, my grip on his arm tightening. “You don’t get a second. Not now.”

I glanced over my shoulder, my stomach dropping as I saw movement in the distance. Vaughn’s men were pouring out of the woods, their dark figures silhouetted against the sunlight. They were too far to shoot at us, but the sight of them was enough to send a fresh wave of panic coursing through me.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, turning back to the road.

A car sped by, its engine roaring as it zipped past us without slowing. I stepped into the middle of the road, waving my arms frantically.

“Stop! Please, stop!” I shouted, my voice cracking.

The driver didn’t even glance in my direction. The car disappeared over the crest of a hill, leaving us standing there, abandoned.

Dominic stumbled again, nearly dragging me down with him. I tightened my grip around his waist, my arm shaking from the effort.

“You’re going to get us killed,” he muttered, his voice barely audible.

“Shut up and keep moving,” I snapped, my tone more desperate than angry.

Another car appeared, this one an old pickup truck with rusted edges and a rattling engine. I stepped into its path, waving both arms.

“Help! Please!”

The truck veered around me, its tires screeching as the driver sped away, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

I let out a frustrated cry, tears of exhaustion and despair stinging my eyes.

Behind us, the men on the road had slowed. They were too far to reach us quickly, and for a moment, it seemed like they were debating whether the chase was worth continuing.

“We’re too far ahead,” I whispered, relief washing over me as I watched them retreat back toward the woods.

Dominic didn’t share my relief. He let out a low groan, his legs giving out beneath him.

“Dominic!” I cried, dropping to my knees as I tried to hold him up. His face was ashen, his eyes glassy and unfocused. Blood seeped between his fingers where he clutched his side, dripping onto the pavement in dark, viscous drops.

“I can’t,” he said, his voice a broken whisper. “I can’t go any farther.”

“Yes, you can,” I insisted, my voice shaking.

“I’m not... I’m not a damn superhero, Eleanor,” he muttered, a faint, humorless smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I’m bleeding out, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

“Don’t joke,” I snapped, though my voice cracked with emotion. “This isn’t funny.”

He chuckled weakly, the sound dissolving into a pained cough. “It’s a little funny.”

“It’s not,” I said, tears spilling over as my composure crumbled. “It’s not funny at all.”

I pressed my forehead against his shoulder, my sobs breaking free. My whole body shook as I cried, the weight of everything crashing down on me.

“I can’t lose you,” I whispered, my voice muffled against his shirt. “I can’t do this alone.”

His hand, slick with blood, reached up to touch my hair. “You won’t,” he said softly, his voice laced with exhaustion.

I pulled back, wiping at my tear-streaked face as I looked at him. “Then get up,” I said, my voice firm despite the quiver in it. “We have to keep moving. You don’t get to give up now.”

He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Finally, he nodded, though his movements were sluggish.

“Okay,” he said. “Okay.”

I hooked my arm under his and helped him to his feet, his weight leaning heavily against me. We stumbled forward, the quiet of the road around us almost eerie after the chaos we’d left behind.

The houses we passed were quiet, their windows dark, as if the entire neighborhood was still tucked away in bed. It felt surreal, the peacefulness of the surroundings a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me.

Dominic’s steps grew heavier, his body sagging against mine as he fought to stay upright. His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, and I shook him gently.

“Dominic,” I said, my voice sharp. “Stay with me.”

“I’m trying,” he mumbled, his voice slurred.

“Then try harder!” I shouted, the frustration and fear bleeding into my tone.

Dominic gave a weak nod, his jaw clenched as he straightened himself. His steps quickened into a stumbling jog, and I hurried after him, my heart thudding so loud it drowned out everything else. The blood from his wound coated my hands and arms, sticky and warm. Every time I tightened my grip on him to steady his frame, more of it smeared against my skin.

“Dominic, you need to hold on,” I said, my voice trembling but firm. “You’re not stopping again.”

He didn’t respond, just kept moving, his breaths ragged and shallow. But it wasn’t long before his steps faltered again.

He stumbled, his knees buckling, and I lunged forward to catch him before he could hit the ground. My arms wrapped tightly around his frame, his weight nearly pulling me down with him.

“Dominic, no,” I said through gritted teeth, my voice sharp with panic. “Get up. Get up!”

He groaned, his face pale and clammy as he leaned heavily against me.

“I’m trying,” he muttered, his words barely audible.

“Try harder!” I repeated, my desperation mounting.

For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t—couldn’t—but then he straightened again, leaning against me for support. His legs trembled beneath him, but he kept moving, one slow, agonizing step at a time.

The next five minutes stretched into an eternity. The road was empty and quiet, but every nerve in my body was on edge, expecting Vaughn’s men to appear at any moment.

“You need... You need a doctor,” I said, my voice shaky as I broke the silence. “Or at least a pharmacy—something.”

Dominic grunted in response, his breaths labored.

I scanned the street ahead, my eyes desperate for any sign of help. Then I saw it—a small pharmacy nestled between two other buildings, its green cross sign hanging above the door. Relief and dread flooded me in equal measure as I realized it was closed, the metal shutter pulled halfway down over the glass windows.

“There!” I said, pointing at the pharmacy. “Come on, just a little more.”

Dominic turned his head toward the building, his steps slowing again.

“How... how do you plan to get in?” he asked, his voice weak.

I didn’t answer. My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out reason. As we approached the building, I let go of Dominic and stepped back, staring at the glass window. My reflection stared back at me, blood-smeared and wild-eyed.

Without thinking, I raised my leg and kicked. The first impact sent a spiderweb of cracks spreading across the glass.

“Eleanor—what the hell are you doing?” Dominic croaked, his voice strained.

I didn’t stop. I kicked again, harder this time, and the glass shattered, pieces raining down onto the sidewalk with a deafening crash.

The sound echoed in the quiet street, and for a moment, I froze, staring at the jagged hole I’d created. My chest heaved as I stood there, my foot still raised midair.

“I...” I started, my voice trembling. “I didn’t...”

Dominic leaned against the wall beside me, his face twisted in pain as he stared at the broken window.

“Well,” he said after a beat, his voice dry despite the strain, “that’s one way to do it.”

His words snapped me out of my daze. I shook my head, stepping forward to clear the remaining shards from the frame with my sleeve.

“Come on,” I said, my voice firmer now. “Let’s get what we need and get out of here.”

Dominic groaned as he pushed himself off the wall, his movements sluggish and pained. I reached for his arm to help him inside, the jagged edges of the glass glinting dangerously in the sunlight.

The pharmacy was dimly lit, shelves lined with neatly stacked boxes and bottles. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of blood that clung to us.

I guided Dominic to a nearby counter, easing him down onto the edge of it. His face was pale, his eyes half-lidded as he slumped forward.

“Stay here,” I said, my voice steady despite the panic threatening to bubble over. “I’ll find something to stop the bleeding.”

He nodded weakly, his head drooping.

I moved quickly, scanning the shelves for anything useful. Gauze, antiseptic, painkillers—anything to keep him stable until we figured out what to do next. My hands shook as I grabbed a roll of bandages and a bottle of rubbing alcohol, stuffing them into a plastic bag.

Behind me, Dominic let out a low groan, his hand clutching his side.

“Hang on,” I said, my voice firm as I returned to him. “Just a little longer.”

I set the supplies down beside him, my hands trembling as I tore open the bandages. The sight of his wound made my stomach churn—a jagged tear in his side, blood seeping through his shirt and pooling on the counter beneath him.

“This is going to hurt,” I warned, though I wasn’t sure if he was even coherent enough to register my words.

He let out a hiss of pain as I pressed the gauze against the wound, his body tensing beneath my hands.

“Sorry,” I murmured, my voice breaking.

“It’s fine,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “Just do it.”

I worked as quickly as I could, my hands moving with a frantic precision. The gunshots were still fresh in my mind, a haunting reminder that we weren’t safe—not yet.

As I tied off the bandage around his waist, Dominic let out a shaky breath, his body relaxing slightly.

“Thanks,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Don’t thank me yet,” I replied, my voice grim. “We’re not out of this.”

He nodded, his eyes flickering open to meet mine. There was a glimmer of determination in them, faint but unyielding.

“Let’s go,” he said, his voice stronger now.

I helped him to his feet, his arm draped over my shoulder as we made our way back toward the broken window. The street outside was still quiet, but the tension in the air was suffocating.

Every step felt like a gamble, each second stretching into eternity as we moved forward. But we had no choice. We had to keep going.