Beyond His Evil

FIFTY-ONE.

I stumbled out of the clinic.

Despite how often I’d been rushed here, every corridor blurred together. My feet moved on instinct alone, carrying me forward until cold air brushed my skin and I realized I had reached the entrance.

Kate and Calvin were already there.

“Kira!” Kate shouted, rushing toward me. “Oh my God! We’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Their eyes dropped to the blood staining my clothes.

“Kira… are you okay?” Calvin asked, his hands hovering as if afraid to touch me.

Tears slipped free before I could stop them.
“I hate the universe,” I whispered. “It watches people suffer and die.”

Confusion flickered across their faces.

“I hate Devon.”

Kate didn’t ask questions. She pulled me into her arms at that moment, and I broke. I buried my face in her shoulder, sobbing as she stroked my hair.

“We have to go,” Calvin said urgently. “Now. We’ve already lost time.”

I nodded against Kate’s shoulder and pulled away, wiping my face with trembling hands.

“Please don’t cry anymore,” Calvin said gently.

I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “I’ll try.”

Kate laced her fingers through mine, and we moved on.

Safeland’s distant celebrations echoed through the night. Laughter. Music. Life.
Evelyn would never be part of any of it again.

::::::::::::::::::::

The tunnels were dark and suffocating. Cal and Kate moved with confidence, but I was terrified. When we finally emerged, the forest greeted us with an unnatural stillness. Even my breathing sounded intrusive.

I instantly felt something was wrong.

Cal had assured me in the tunnels that even if Safeland were attacked, they could handle it. The damage would be minimal. Everything would be fine by sunrise.

But “damage” sounded hollow. My relief was fragile. Hundreds of hunters might defend Safeland, but the thought barely steadied me.

I rubbed my arms, shivering. The cold bit through my dress, but the chill felt deeper than weather.

Rya was supposed to be waiting for us at the end of the tunnels, but she wasn’t.

Minutes dragged on.

“Where is she?” I asked quietly.

Cal opened his mouth—

Run.

The voice cut through my mind.

I faltered.

“…She might be delayed,” Cal said.

I shook my head, pulse racing. “Sorry, what did you say?”

Run, Kira.

Then a familiar voice shattered the silence.

“Hey, guys!”

Rya stepped out from between the trees.

My stomach dropped.

She was smiling, but her eyes didn’t match it. They lingered on me too long.

“Hi, Kira,” she said lightly.