SMILE: A Terrible Night.

A Heart That Bleeds

Chapter 29: (Scarlet's pov)

My heart raced as I stood before the door, staring at the locks that held me captive. Each metallic barrier was a tangible reminder of my imprisonment, and I fought against the trembling in my hands as I reached for the keys.

I took a moment to catch my breath, leaning against the doorframe as I stared at the locks securing me. I could hardly grasp as I turned back towards Taehyung's body. His lifeless form was a haunting me about everything that had led me to this moment, and I felt an urge to linger, to somehow convince myself that he would not be there for long.

With trembling fingers, I searched the ring of keys, my heart pounding louder than the distant. The metallic taste of blood still clung to my lips, a bitter reminder of my fight for survival. I was terrified to approach him, yet I was even more terrified of leaving him behind, but the need for escape drove me forward.

Finally, I gathered the courage to step closer to Taehyung, I needed to free myself. I rummaged through the keys until my fingers found the one that fit, the cold metal slipping into the lock with an unsettling ease. The sound of the tumblers clicking open echoed in the silence of the room, and with every turn, I felt my resolve strengthening.

My fingers trembled as I fumbled with the keys, each metallic clink echoing ominously in the silence. His presence loomed in the back of my mind, a ghost who was whispering doubts and fears. But I pushed those thoughts aside. I was done being afraid. I had to take this chance, to break free from the chains that bound me to this nightmare.

The locks rattled as I struggled to find the right key, my heart racing with each sound that reverberated through the hallway. The noise felt deafening in the stillness of the night. I could hear my own breath, ragged and uneven. Finally, the lock clicked open, and I stepped into the cool night air, relief washing over me in waves.

But that relief was short-lived. I stood outside, the chill of the early morning biting at my skin. The streets were eerily quiet, only the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze breaking the silence. A shiver coursed through me, not just from the cold but from the isolation that surrounded me.

The streetlights flickered above, their glow casting elongated shadows that danced along the pavement. I glanced up at the sky, where the stars twinkled dimly, but they offered little comfort. My heart sank as I looked down the empty road, the stillness amplifying the anxiety clawing at my insides.

With determination fueling my steps, I began to walk, the sound of my footsteps echoing against the quiet. Each step felt heavy, the weight of my ordeal dragging me down. The asphalt beneath my feet felt cold, how far I had come and how far I still had to go.

The streets were a blur as I stumbled forward, each passing second stretching into an eternity. The world around me was painted in muted shades of darkness, the shadows deepening as I moved away from the safety of the building behind me. My mind raced, thoughts colliding in a chaotic frenzy.

I couldn't let myself falter now; the police station was just a short distance away, I walked and walked . It was the kind of silence that felt alive, as if the night itself was holding its breath. I could hear the distant chirp of crickets, the rustling of leaves, but these sounds only heightened my senses.

The street ahead was lined with trees, their silhouettes towering like sentinels against the sky. The branches swayed gently in the breeze, casting eerie shadows on the ground.

I could feel the tension in the air, which was an undercurrent of danger that prickled at my skin. Every rustle, every whisper of the wind, sent my heart racing, each sound amplifying the sense of urgency that propelled me forward.

The world felt like it was closing in, the darkness creeping closer with every step. I quickened my pace, my breath coming in short gasps as I pushed myself harder. I couldn't afford to slow down. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts of freedom, of safety, of what lay ahead.

The road stretched out before me, seemingly endless, but I could see the glow of the police station in the distance, a flickering light against the inky backdrop of the night.

My heart soared with hope as I focused on that light, my legs moving faster, fueled by sheer determination. But just as I was gaining momentum, the dizziness hit me like a tidal wave. My vision blurred, and I stumbled, reaching out to steady myself against a lamppost.

The harsh light above flickered, casting strange shadows that danced in front of my eyes. I pressed my palm against my forehead, trying to shake off the fog that enveloped my mind.

Scarlet: Stay focused.

I murmured to myself, forcing my feet to move again. I couldn't afford to lose my grip on reality now. I had come too far to let myself be swallowed by the darkness. I continued forward, the distance to the police station closing in, but each step felt heavier than the last.

The feeling of exhaustion settled in my bones, and I could feel the world around me tilting. The irritating nothingness noise grew louder in my ears. It was as if the night itself was closing in, suffocating me in its embrace.

And then, I saw him, a figure walking out of the police station. An officer in a crisp uniform, his silhouette framed by the bright light spilling from the doorway. Hope surged within me, momentarily lifting the fog that clouded my mind. I opened my mouth to call for help.

But before I could utter a sound, the ground seemed to shift beneath me. My vision went blank, darkness flooding my mind as I felt myself falling into an abyss. And before I could take another step, a hand suddenly gripped my scalp, yanking me back with brutal force.

My breath hitched in my throat as shock surged through me. I felt the cold fingers digging into my hair, pulling me away from the promise of safety. Panic erupted within me, and I fought against the iron grip, twisting and flailing in an attempt to break free.