Riley's breath came in jagged gasps as she raced down the familiar alleyway, her legs burning with each stride. The cool night air whipped against her face, but it couldn't calm the storm inside her. Zayden's face, the look of fierce determination and sacrifice, played over and over in her mind. Every ounce of her being screamed for her to turn back and fight by his side, but Zayden had made his choice. He'd put her safety above his own.
The sanctuary was within reach, just a few more corners, and she'd be safe. She didn't know what awaited her beyond those walls, but she had no other choice. Zayden had trusted her to escape. She had to survive. For him.
Her pulse quickened as the entrance to the sanctuary came into view. A large iron gate loomed ahead, its intricate design a stark contrast to the danger that lingered in the shadows behind her. As she neared it, she hesitated. The gate wasn't open, and there was no time to waste. She slammed her hand against the cold metal, heart pounding in her chest.
The gate creaked open slowly, and Riley rushed inside, slipping through the narrow gap. The world beyond felt different—safe, but in a way, it only highlighted the chaos she'd left behind. The sanctuary was a place of calm, hidden behind high walls and shrouded in secrecy. She had heard rumors of it, but she never thought she would actually be here.
There was no time to marvel at the beauty of the place. Riley's thoughts immediately returned to Zayden. She didn't know if he'd made it out, if he was still holding his own. Every inch of her wanted to run back out into the streets, to find him, but she knew she had to stay. She had to survive.