Title: Beneath Di Don's Shadow

chapter 8

Chapter 8: Into the Night

Mi heart races as Jahmiel pushes mi forward, an di sound of footsteps behind us sends a jolt of panic through my body. “Run, Kimi!” he shouts, urgency lacing his words.

We sprint down di alley, di night air rushing past us. Di sounds of chaos fade into di background as adrenaline fuels mi legs. Jahmiel’s grip is firm, anchoring me as we dodge around corners, weaving through di maze of streets.

“Bullet, where are we going?” mi yell, trying to keep up with di pace, but di pounding of my heart drowns out everything else.

“Head to di old warehouse!” Bullet shouts back, leading di way. “It’s abandoned, but it’ll give us a place to hide for now!”

Di old warehouse—di very place mi never thought I’d find myself in. It’s a place of memories, both good and bad, but right now, it feels like our only chance.

---

As we run, mi glance back to see a car turning into di alley. Bright headlights illuminate di darkness, an mi can feel my stomach drop. “Jahmiel, dey’re coming!”

“Keep moving!” he urges, pulling me forward.

We reach di entrance of di warehouse, a rusted metal door that creaks ominously as Jahmiel pushes it open. Inside, di air is stale and thick with dust, but it’s dark, and for now, dat’s all dat matters.

“Quick! In here!” Bullet says, motioning to a corner filled with old crates.

We squeeze into di shadows, trying to catch our breath as we listen for any sign of pursuit. Di sounds of our footsteps echo, an di silence feels deafening. I hold onto Jahmiel’s hand tightly, feeling his warmth next to me.

---

“Yuh alright?” Jahmiel whispers, looking down at me, his expression filled with concern.

“Just scared,” mi admit, feeling vulnerable. “What if dey find us?”

“Den we fight,” he says, his voice steady. “But for now, we need to be quiet an wait it out.”

We huddle together, tension heavy in di air as we strain to hear any movement outside. Mi can hear di distant sound of a car engine, an my heart drops. “Dey’re out there,” mi whisper, trying to control my breathing.

“Stay close to me,” Jahmiel replies, his tone protective. “No matter what, I won’t let anything happen to yuh.”

---

As we wait in di darkness, mi can’t help but replay di events in mi mind. Dis was not di life I signed up for. A few weeks ago, mi was just a regular girl inna high school, dreaming of love an happiness. Now, I’m hiding in a warehouse, terrified of what might happen next.

“Yuh know,” Jahmiel breaks di silence, “mi never wanted yuh to see dis side of my life.”

“Yuh didn’t have a choice, did yuh?” mi reply, frustration creeping into my voice. “Dis is who yuh are, an I want to be part of it. But I can’t pretend dis isn’t real.”

“Dis is real, Kimi,” Jahmiel says softly, his gaze intense. “An it’s dangerous. Yuh deserve better dan dis.”

“Better?” mi scoff, a mix of emotions bubbling to the surface. “Dis is my choice. I chose you, Jahmiel. I chose to be here, an no one can take dat from me.”

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Di warehouse feels like a cocoon, isolating us from di world outside. But as mi listen to di distant sounds of life, I can’t shake di feeling of fear. Di longer we stay here, di more vulnerable we become.