through your eyes

chapter 24:

I ran toward the elevator, slamming my hand on the button over and over, but it didn't respond. "Damn it!" I cursed under my breath, Without wasting another second, I turned and sprinted for the stairs. My lungs were already burning, and each breath felt like it might be my last, but I couldn't stop. Not now.

 The air was thick and hot, my chest tightening with every floor I passed. My legs were screaming for me to stop, to slow down, but I pushed harder. Sweat dripped from my forehead, blurring my vision, but I just wiped it away with the back of my hand. Nothing mattered except getting to that rooftop.

When I reached the rooftop door, I grabbed the handle, my hand slick with sweat. I pulled. Nothing."Shit!" I slammed my fist into the door, my chest heaving. It was locked. Of course, it was locked. I stepped back, feeling the tightness in my lungs, but I couldn't stop. Not now. I braced myself, positioned my shoulder, and threw my entire weight against the door. The impact sent a jolt of pain through my arm, but I ignored it. The door held firm.

I stepped back again and hit the door harder this time, my whole body shaking from the force. The door rattled but didn't give. "Come on!" I shouted, more to myself than anything. With one final surge of energy, I charged the door with everything I had. . Finally, on the third hit, the door burst open with a loud crack, and I stumbled onto the rooftop.

That's when I saw them.

My heart stopped.

Mr. Peter was there, standing near the edge, holding Sasha. His arm was tight around her throat, and the barrel of his gun was pressed against her head. Her eyes were wide, tears streaking her pale face as she struggled to breathe. I froze for a split second, my entire world narrowing to that one awful sight. 

My hands shook as I raised my gun, pointing it straight at him. My heart was hammering in my chest, each beat deafening in my ears. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe, but my body moved on instinct, finger on the trigger, ready to shoot.

"Put your gun down!" Mr. Peter's voice sliced through the air, cold and sharp. He tightened his grip on Sasha's neck, and she let out a strangled gasp. My whole body tensed. My finger twitched on the trigger, every muscle in me ready to pull it. But then I saw her eyes, the sheer terror in them. One wrong move, and he'd end her right there.

"Put your damn gun down!" Mr. Peter barked again, louder, more furious, his eyes wild.

I had no choice.

"Okay!" I shouted, the words ripping out of me as I lowered my gun. My hands shook as I bent down, slowly setting the weapon on the ground. 

I stood back up, raising my hands in the air, palms out. My heart was pounding so hard, I thought it might burst out of my chest.

"Mr. Peter, please," I said, my voice trembling. "Let's talk. I'm begging you. Just talk to me. We can figure this out."

"Talk?" he spat, his voice filled with venom. "There's nothing to talk about, kid. You ruined my life. You and your boss destroyed everythng! My company, my family, everything I spent years building!" His grip on Sasha tightened, and she whimpered in pain

"Please, just calm down!" I begged, stepping forward, my hands still raised. "I don't even know what's going on. I had nothing to do with this!"

"You'll pay for this!" he shouted, his voice rising. His finger twitched on the gun, and my blood ran cold. "Yesterday, the police raided my place arrested all my men, seized everything I owned. You were after me, weren't you? But I swear to you, kid, before this is over, you'll wish you were dead."

"YOU RUINED MY LIFE !" he growled, his eyes blazing with hatred.

"AND YOU HAVE  RUINED MINE TOO !" I shouted back, my anger boiling over. My fists clenched at my sides, my chest heaving with the weight of my emotions. "You killed my best friend, right in front of me! You almost killed the woman I love. I'm begging you take me instead. Just let her go. Please."

Without thinking, I dropped to my knees, the cold concrete biting into my skin. "I'll do anything. Please. Just let her go."

For a moment, Mr. Peter's eyes flickered, like he might actually be considering it. But then, his face hardened again, and that cruel smirk returned to his lips.

"Too late, kid," he said, his voice icy.

In a split-second, my mind raced through every possible outcome. There was no way to reach my gun, no way to overpower him without risking Sasha's life. I could see the fear in her eyes, tears streaming down her face as she looked at me—her silent plea for help. And in that moment, I realized I might not be able to save her.

"Peter, listen to me," I pleaded, my voice raw. "You think killing her will fix things? It won't. This won't bring back your company, your men, or your life. You'll just be left with more destruction more regret."

His cold gaze locked onto mine, but I could see the fire of rage burning behind his eyes. "I don't care anymore," he hissed. "You took everything from me."

GUN SHOUT SOUND...