Nexus and Shadows

CHAPTER 9 - A Heartbeat Away

Zade’s heart pounded in his chest as he held Serena’s limp body in his arms. The world around him felt like it was crashing down, the sound of sirens in the distance a harsh reminder that time was running out.

He lifted Serena carefully, cradling her as if she were made of glass, and carried her toward the door. His mind raced—he had to get her out of here, away from Nexus and the dangers lurking in every corner. There was no time to think about the men who had attacked them or the mysterious drug coursing through Serena’s veins.

All that mattered now was keeping her alive.

“Hold on, Serena,” Zade whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos around him. “I’m not letting you go.”

The cool night air hit him as he burst through the doorway, Serena still unconscious in his arms. The streets were dark, empty, and hauntingly silent except for the distant wail of sirens closing in. He needed to find a safe place, somewhere to hide, and somewhere he could figure out what they had done to her.

His breath quickened, but his heart remained steady—he would protect her, no matter what.

Suddenly, his comm device crackled to life, a familiar voice breaking through the static. “Zade, are you there? Zade, answer me!”

It was Aric, his closest ally from their days in Project Nexus. The one person he trusted to help them now.

“Aric, we’ve been hit. Serena—she’s been injected with something. I don’t know what it is, but she’s fading fast,” Zade said, his voice strained as he ducked into a nearby alley to avoid being seen.

“Damn it. Get her to the warehouse. I’ll be there in ten. Don’t stop for anything, you hear me?” Aric’s voice was filled with urgency, and for the first time, Zade felt a sliver of hope.

“I’m on my way,” Zade replied, securing Serena tighter against him as he made his way toward the warehouse on the outskirts of the city.

His legs burned, his lungs ached, but none of that mattered. He had to save her. He had to get her to safety before Nexus found them again.

As he ran through the dimly lit streets, memories of their time together flashed through his mind—their first meeting, the way her laugh had warmed the cold edges of his life, the way she looked at him as if he were more than just a weapon created by Nexus.

They had been through so much, and now, with her life hanging by a thread, Zade felt the weight of their bond stronger than ever. Losing her wasn’t an option. He wouldn’t let it be.

The warehouse came into view, its towering structure looming over the deserted industrial district. Zade’s heart pounded even harder as he sprinted the last stretch, slipping inside just as a black van rounded the corner in the distance.

He didn’t have time to think. Didn’t have time to worry about the van or the people inside it. All that mattered was Serena.

Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of oil and rust. Zade laid Serena down on a nearby table, his hands trembling as he brushed the hair away from her face. Her breathing was shallow, her skin pale, and Zade could feel the fear rising in his chest.

“Stay with me, Serena. Please,” he whispered, his voice breaking.

Just then, Aric burst through the door, his face set in grim determination. Without a word, he rushed to Serena’s side, quickly pulling out a small med kit from his bag.

“She’s fading fast. Whatever they gave her, it’s shutting down her system,” Aric said, his voice tense as he prepared a syringe filled with an antidote. “This might help, but it’s a long shot.”

Zade’s jaw clenched as he watched Aric work. The fear of losing Serena was too much to bear, but he couldn’t let himself fall apart. Not now.

“Do it. Whatever it takes,” Zade said, his voice barely more than a growl.

Aric nodded and injected the antidote into Serena’s arm, the two of them holding their breath as they waited for any sign of improvement.

Seconds felt like hours. The silence in the room was deafening, and Zade could feel his heart shattering with each passing moment.

But then, as if by some miracle, Serena’s breathing deepened, her body beginning to stir. Her eyelids fluttered open, and Zade felt an overwhelming rush of relief as her eyes met his.

“Zade?” Serena’s voice was weak, but it was enough.

“I’m here,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he knelt beside her, taking her hand in his. “I’m right here.”

Serena blinked, trying to focus on his face. “What… what happened?”

Zade exhaled, his heart pounding with both relief and fear. “You were attacked. They injected you with something, but you’re safe now.”

Aric stood back, his eyes filled with both relief and caution. “You’re not out of the woods yet, Serena. Whatever they gave you is still in your system. You’ll need time to recover.”

Serena nodded weakly, squeezing Zade’s hand as she tried to sit up. “Thank you, Aric.”

Zade helped her, his hands gentle but steady. “You scared me,” he admitted softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I’d lost you.”

Serena’s eyes softened as she looked up at him, her hand reaching up to touch his cheek. “You’ll never lose me, Zade. I’m right here.”

In that moment, everything else faded away—the danger, the conspiracy, the war that loomed on the horizon. All that mattered was her—Serena. The girl who had brought light into his life, the girl he would fight for, no matter the cost.

And in the silence of the warehouse, as the shadows closed in around them, Zade knew that whatever came next, they would face it together.