Stellar Hearts: Lost in Seoul

Chapter 16: "Break for Freedom"

Chiquita's POV

Time slows. It's like everything around me freezes—except for my heart, which is beating faster than I can keep up with. I can hear every sound. The soft rustle of Asa's breath beside me, the distant hum of the city, and then... footsteps.

Footsteps that make my skin crawl. The sound of them getting closer. We're running out of time.

I glance at Asa, who's crouched low beside me. Her face is set, eyes wide with determination. But there's something in the way she's holding herself—a quiet readiness that screams we're about to make a break for it.

The plan is simple. There is no plan. We run, and we run fast.

We don't look back.

"We have to move," Asa whispers, her voice steady but strained. I can feel her pulse quicken through our linked arms.

I nod, squeezing her hand once. We don't have time for speeches. No room for hesitation.

I glance around the corner of the dumpster. Ahyeon's henchmen are closing in. I can see their silhouettes in the dim light, their faces barely visible under the streetlamps. Ahyeon's voice rings out from the shadows, sharp and cold.

"Don't even think about running. You can't escape me, Asa. You know this ends one way."

The air shifts. Tension rises. My fingers tremble, but I grip Asa's arm tighter. The moment is here.

"Now," I hiss.

We run.

Asa's POV

I don't know how we made it this far, but it's all I can think about now. The only thing that matters is now—now and the next few seconds.

The world turns into a blur as we dart down the alley, the cold air rushing past us. I can hear Chiquita's footsteps pounding beside me. Her breath is ragged, but she's right there—with me.

That's all that matters.

We turn a sharp corner and for a brief second, I allow myself to glance over my shoulder. Ahyeon's henchmen are a few steps behind, but they're fast. Too fast. I push Chiquita harder, my legs burning with the effort. We can't stop. We can't slow down.

I just need to make it to the ship. We can hide there. We can escape—if we get there in time.

"We're almost there!" I shout, though my voice sounds breathless, even to me. We're nearing the edge of the alley where the main street is, and I can almost see the path to freedom ahead.

But then—

Bang.

The unmistakable sound of a gunshot shatters the night air.

I don't look back. I don't have time. My feet move faster, my pulse roaring in my ears. All I can think about is getting her to safety.

And then—I trip.

My foot catches on something—probably some debris in the alley—and suddenly the world flips sideways. My arms flail, trying to catch myself, but it's too late. I'm crashing to the ground with a sickening thud.

"Chiquita!" I scream, my voice panicked as I try to push myself up, my hand scrabbling for purchase against the rough pavement.

"Go!" she shouts, her voice frantic. "Asa, get up!"

But I can't move fast enough. I glance at her, my vision blurry.

She's standing over me, facing the oncoming threat, blocking me from their view.

My heart lurches in my chest.

No.

Chiquita's POV

I don't even think—I just act.

Asa's down. She's on the ground. And the enemy's too close. If they get to her, if they—no. I won't let it happen.

I throw myself in front of her, my body instinctively placing itself between Asa and the approaching shadows. I know I don't stand a chance against them—there are two of them, and they're armed. But what else can I do?

I won't let them take her.

They stop short when they see me, a cruel smile spreading across one of their faces. I recognize him—a tall man, with hard eyes and a cold smile. He's the one who fired the shot earlier.

"You think you can protect her?" he sneers, his voice low and menacing. "You're just a distraction, girl."

I stand taller, my fists clenched at my sides, my body trembling with fear—but not backing down. "If you want her, you'll have to go through me."

His smile widens. "That can be arranged."

Before he can make a move, I hear it. A sharp whoosh—followed by a loud crack that cuts through the night.

Then, like a miracle, I see her.

Rora.

She comes flying from the side, her black hair whipping in the wind. With a fierce yell, she tackles the man, knocking him to the ground before he can do anything else. His weapon flies from his hand as he falls, and I hear the sickening crunch of bone against concrete.

"Get the hell off her!" Rora growls, pinning him down with a force that's terrifying to watch. I've seen her fight before, but this? This is next level.

I blink in disbelief, unsure if I'm seeing things. Rora's never been this intense—she's usually too busy laughing or making jokes to be this... deadly.

But right now, she's the last person I want to mess with.

The other henchman moves toward us, but before he can get close, another shadow appears—this time, Ruka.

She's fast, and with one swift kick, she sends the second man stumbling backward, landing hard against the wall of the alley. He doesn't move after that.

"Don't you ever touch my girls," Ruka spits, her voice full of venom.

My heart feels like it's going to explode in my chest. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. They're here. They're actually here.

"Rora!" I yell, pulling Asa to her feet as quickly as I can. She's groggy, but she's alive. That's all that matters.

"Chiquita!" Rora pants, standing up and wiping blood from her lip. "What the hell are you two doing, getting caught like that? We need to go. Now."

Ruka pulls her into a quick hug. "You've got to stop doing that. Next time, leave the fighting to us."

"We need to move," Asa says, her voice still shaking. Her grip on my hand is tight, but steady. "Before more of them show up."

Asa's POV

I can't believe they showed up. I thought it was over. I thought we were done for.

But Chiquita's right—they're here. They're with us.

Rora and Ruka look like they've just been in a war zone, but they're standing tall, ready to keep fighting. I don't know what we would've done without them.

I turn to Chiquita, who's still beside me, her face flushed with adrenaline. She's holding her ground, eyes fierce.

"We need to get to the ship," I say again. "It's the only way we can get out of here."

Chiquita nods, her lips pressed together in a thin line. "Then let's go. I'm not stopping until we're safe."

Rora gives a loud whoop, and even Ruka cracks a smile. But there's no time to waste. The stakes have never been higher, and we're still being hunted. We don't know how much longer we have before Ahyeon's next move.

But right now, we're moving. Together.