*Reborn in Shadows*

Chapter 4: Into the Abyss

The sound was deafening. Pain exploded in my shoulder as I stumbled, but I gritted my teeth and pushed through. The boy let out a pained cry as he was hit in the leg, collapsing onto the floor. Despite his injury, he tried to crawl toward me, his face contorted in agony.

We had to get out. Ignoring the throbbing pain in my shoulder, I dragged the boy behind a nearby crate for cover. The boss advanced, his gun tracking our every move. I could hear him cursing and shouting orders, his anger palpable.

I glanced at the boy, who was struggling to stand. "We have to run. Follow me."

With a final burst of energy, I pulled the boy up and we darted through the narrow passages, zigzagging to avoid the boss's line of fire. The pain in my shoulder was intense, but the adrenaline kept me going. The boy limped alongside me, his face pale but determined.

The corridors twisted and turned, but I pushed forward, searching for an exit. We burst into a larger, open area—a stark contrast to the narrow corridors we had navigated. The space was filled with crates and machinery, offering some cover, but also leaving us exposed. The boss was relentless, his gunfire echoing around us. I ducked behind a crate, trying to catch my breath. Just when it seemed like we might escape, the boss's voice boomed from behind us..

The boy was struggling, his leg injury slowing him down. I could see the pain etched on his face, and my own pain was almost overwhelming. But there was no time to rest. I needed to find a way out, and quickly.

The boy looked at me, fear in his eyes, and I knew we were running out of time. I stepped in front of him, trying to shield him from the boss's view. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on me as I faced the barrel of the gun.

"Go and run," I urged the boy, my voice trembling but firm. "Don't look back."

As I spoke, memories of all the people who had hurt me—those who had abandoned or betrayed me—flashed through my mind. A tear slipped down my cheek as I prepared for what might come next. The boss's eyes were cold, calculating, as he took aim.

Then, without warning, an explosion rocked the room. The force of it sent me crashing to the floor, and everything went dark. The last thing I heard was the roar of the blast and the distant cries of chaos. The world around me dissolved into nothingness, leaving me with a single, haunting thought: this could be my chance to break free from the chains of my past.

To be continued...