He didn't look back. He was already walking away, shielding Lola while leaving me to hell.

Fabric ripped. My clothes were being torn to shreds.

Panic surged, but instinct took over. I clamped my teeth onto one man's forearm. He howled, his grip loosening.

I scrambled up and sprinted into the darkness, screaming for help. My old wounds tore open, blood soaking my skin, but I couldn't stop.

"Get her!"

Footsteps thundered behind me. I pushed faster, lungs burning.

My foot caught on a loose stone. I went down hard.

Before I could scramble up, searing agony exploded between my shoulder blades.

A sharp axe had buried itself in my back.

White-hot pain radiated through me. Something inside shattered—not bone, but hope. My heart finally died.

Sirens wailed in the distance. The attackers scattered.

Lying in my own blood, vision blurring, I fumbled for my phone. With trembling fingers, I uploaded every video file I'd prepared.

If I die, I'm taking you all with me.

Only when the screen flashed "Upload Complete" did I let my eyes close.

Adam walked a few paces before a chill crawled up his spine. He stopped, an inexplicable weight settling in his chest.