Shattered Heart's Plea

Chapter 20: Chased by Trouble

Chapter 20: Chased by Trouble

***

A sharp intake of breath filled Zoe's lungs as she gasped and forced her eyes open, struggling to make sense of the chaos around her. She tried to shift her leg, but a heavy table collapsed across her lower body, pinning her down with a crushing weight that made every movement agonizingly difficult.

Her attempts to lift the table were met with a sharp, jarring pain. Looking down, she saw a jagged shard of glass embedded in her right palm, its edges glistening with her own blood. The crimson fluid spilled steadily from the wound, pooling around her hand as pain surged through her, sharp and relentless. The searing agony almost made her cry out, but she forced herself to focus, her eyes darting around in desperate search of help amidst the smoke and debris.

Zoe's eyes darted to her left as a harsh cough cut through the chaos. Her breath caught when she saw Nicholas rising from the rubble of a collapsed pillar, dust, and debris clinging to his clothes.

"Y-You're alright," Nicholas said, his voice rough as he staggered towards her.

Zoe could see the concern in his eyes, the need to reassure her, but the searing pain in her hand and the blood dripping steadily from the shard of glass made her world tilt. His words barely registered, drowned out by the thudding in her chest.

"No, I'm not!" she snapped, the frustration and pain lacing her voice. "I'm losing blood from this fucking glass!" Her hand trembled as she tapped the heavy table pinning her down. "H-Help me."

Nicholas didn't hesitate. He quickly moved to the table, lifting the solid wood away from her with a single hand while extending his other towards her. Zoe groaned as he tried to pull her up, her muscles screaming in protest, the soreness in her lower body from the crushing weight intensifying with every movement. She needed a moment to catch her breath, to steady herself, but Nicholas seemed to be tempted not to give it to her.

"We need to move," Nicholas said, his eyes sweeping over Zoe, assessing the extent of her injuries.

"But the others—" Zoe started, her voice trembling.

"We are the target of this attack, Zoe," Nicholas cut her off, his tone firm but laced with urgency. "Staying here only puts these people in greater danger. Aid will arrive soon, but by then, we need to be gone—before another explosion hits."

Zoe pressed her lips together, his words settling heavily in her chest. She nodded, though every fiber of her being ached to help those around her.

"Can I at least heal this wound?" she winced as she lifted her bloodied right hand, the shard of glass still embedded in her flesh.

She began to murmur an incantation, her voice barely a whisper, when Nicholas abruptly grabbed her hand, stopping her mid-chant. His gaze bore into hers, fierce and unyielding. They had reached the center of the great hall, where chaos reigned—people scrambling in every direction, their faces painted with fear.

"Save your magic for later," Nicholas said, his voice low but intense. "We don't know how they'll react if they sense it. For now, let me handle this."

He carefully took her injured hand, cradling it in his. Zoe barely had time to brace herself before Nicholas yanked the glass shard free. A scream tore from her throat as searing pain shot through her hand, the agony almost blinding. Without missing a beat, Nicholas wrapped the wound tightly with a handkerchief, his movements swift and precise.

"Let's go," he urged, gripping her uninjured hand firmly as he began to pull her through the panicked crowd.

Zoe glanced back for a moment, her heart heavy with the knowledge that they were leaving the others behind. But Nicholas's grip anchored her, reminding her of the gravity of their situation. She had to trust him—for now, survival was the only choice.