The Seventh Angel

Chapter 8

The sharp wind bites at my skin, trembling through my body as I squeeze my eyes shut, overwhelmed by the height. I can't utter a word; I cling to him, desperate, unsure of his intentions or why he brought me with him.

Please don't drop me. Please don't drop me, I repeat in my mind, terrified he'll find me useless and toss me into the pitch-black Zephyros Sea below.

"Where are you taking me?" I finally muster the courage to shout through the wind. But he says nothing, flying with unwavering confidence, away from Aetheris. Panic crashes over me in waves as I realize what's happening-the Guardians will come after us.

"Wait!" I want to warn him, but it's too late. The robotic voices echo from behind us as AI-piloted crafts close in.

"Identify yourself! You are leaving Aetheris without authorization!"

"They'll shoot us!" I scream, glancing back in terror. He turns slightly, assessing the two massive flying crafts, sleek and white, with silver-plated humanoid Guardians inside, gaining on us.

"Last warning! Identify yourself immediately!"

Suddenly, we plummet from the sky. My heart leaps into my throat as gunfire erupts behind us at the same time.

"Aghhh! Oh my god!" I squeal, eyes squeezed shut, clinging to him even tighter. Dizziness and nausea overwhelm me as the angel expertly dodges every round of gunfire aimed at us. We're skimming just above the sea, the salty breeze whipping against my skin. I steal a glance back, hoping the aircraft have fallen behind, but they're keeping pace.

The angel's grip tightens around me, and suddenly, he veers sharply to the right-toward the dense forest. The machines are too large to follow us between the trees, but they continue firing relentlessly.

"Look out!" I shout, terrified, as massive trees blur past, merging into a wall of green. Somehow, the angel maneuvers through each obstacle with impossible precision, the aircraft slowing as they lose sight of us. He descends lower, nearly skimming the ground, when a groan of pain escapes him. A bullet whizzes by, missing me by inches.

We crash to the ground.

"Ahhh!" I scream, tumbling down as we fall. Luckily, we were flying low, and I hit the ground with a thud. The angel slams into a tree nearby, but I land on a softer path, gasping in relief. The realization strikes-he's been hit. The bullet must have caught his wing!

As I realize he's unconscious, a surge of adrenaline shoots through me. I scramble to get up, ready to run, but a sharp pain in my knee sends me stumbling to the ground.

"Ah, fuck!" I curse, glancing down to see blood trickling from a cut on my knee. It's not deep, but the sting is enough to slow me down. Ignoring the pain, I get to my feet and make a run for it, heading back toward where we came from. The massive aircrafts hover above, their blinding lights sweeping across the forest as they search for us. I duck into the shadows, hiding from their view. The angel is concealed beneath a large tree, out of sight.

I wait, heart pounding,minutes feeling like hours, until the lights finally fade and the aircrafts retreat toward Aetheris. Letting out a sigh of relief, I quickly curse again-realizing I'm stranded. I'm too far from the city to make it back on foot.

"My car!" I remember, frantically glancing at my wrist. My watch is still there, but dissappointment hits me quick when I realize the screen is shattered from the landing. I press it repeatedly, hoping for a miracle, but the screen stays black.

"Come on, you useless piece of shit!" I mutter in frustration, yanking the watch off my wrist and throwing it away. The broken device clatters against something-no, someone. I freeze, looking up to see the male standing right behind me, no longer unconscious!

In that brief, still moment, our eyes lock-his unmistakable bright blue, just as they were in my dreams-now burning with fury as they pierce through me. His all-black security uniform sharply contrasts with his snow-white hair and pale skin, making him look every bit the predator, poised to strike. My heart races, and without a second thought, I break into a sprint. Behind me, I hear the unmistakable whoosh of his wings closing in. Desperation surges through me as I dive into a denser part of the forest, where narrow trees and tight spaces offer little room for him to fly. My feet slip in the mud, the cold air stabbing my lungs with every breath, but I don't care. I have to get away!

I glance over my shoulder, trying to confirm I've lost him, but the unsettling silence from behind slows my pace.His wings-silent now, just as I hoped-but panic rises, thinking I'll be stranded here with no way to let my father know where I am. I'm outside Aetheris now,where the rebels resign,and if I try to return, I'll be treated as a terrorist by the Guardians, the possibility of executing first and asking questions later a high chance in my cards!

"Shit!" I mutter, coming to a stop when I'm certain I'm alone, my breath heavy and labored. I lean against a tree, gasping for air, my knee aching from dried blood that desperately needs tending. My white lab coat is now filthy, mud-streaked mess, but at least it's still intact, keeping me warm against the biting cold of the night.

"I can barely see.." I whisper, using the clean side of my coat to wipe away the dirt from my cut,when a branch snaps in front of me-too close. Before I can react, a strong hand clamps around my throat,slamming me hard against the tree. The impact sends a sharp pain through my body, and I let out a groan. I'm back in the hands of this creature, standing mere inches from me. His wings are nowhere to be seen! But I don't have time to question it. His grip tightens around my neck, cutting off my air and sending me a wave of dizziness through me.

"Stay still, or my grip will tighten further", he says, voice calm, as I desperately claw at his hand, trying to pry it off!

"LET ME GO!" I try to scream, but his grip indeed tightens further, choking the words in my throat.

He's going to kill me!

"Calm dow-" His words are cut short when I slap him, my nails raking across his cheek. Surprise flickers across his eyes as his grip loosens just enough for me to act. I fumble for the syringe I've took from the sedative room earlier and jab it into his arm, shoving him back as he groans in pain. I gasp for air, but my body is already betraying me. I'm too weak to run any further, my vision swimming as I stumble.

"You...You-re a nuisance!" he growls, yanking the syringe from his arm and tossing it aside in frustration. He advances slowly, knowing I'm out of options.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME" I shout, fear and fury lacing my words as I back away, but the gap between us is closing fast.

"Stop escaping, or you'll only make things worse for yourself", his voice cuts through the darkness, deep and commanding.

"Fuck you!" I spit, but the panic is overwhelming, the lack of air making my legs wobble. Everything starts to spin, my strength leaving me.

"I...I'm going to faint..." The crushing realization of my helplessness washes over me, along with the strange awareness that he hasn't even bothered to use his gun against me. It's the last thought I have as my strenght gives out, and the world around me fades into darkness.