Stellar Hearts: Lost in Seoul

Chapter 17: "The Final Countdown"

Chiquita's POV

The alley behind us is now a chaotic mess of chaos, dust, and adrenaline-fueled recklessness. We're running like we've got nothing to lose. In truth, we don't have much. The clock's ticking down faster than I'd like, and the weight of that truth hangs over us like a storm cloud ready to burst.

But as much as my heart races, I can't ignore the small fire of hope that's slowly starting to grow inside me. We've survived. For now.

The path ahead is dimly lit, the lights flickering as we move through the streets of Seoul. It feels like we're being hunted. But we're not running alone anymore.

"Stay close," Asa says, her voice low but urgent as she takes the lead. She's steady, as usual—too steady for someone who's literally out of time. But I can feel the anxiety in her. I know her too well by now. And I'm not about to let her go through this alone.

I catch up with her, glancing over my shoulder. Rora and Ruka are right behind us, their eyes scanning the shadows, ready for any threat that might appear. Rora looks like she's ready to throw a punch at anything that moves. Ruka, on the other hand, is all precision and focus—like she's already planned her next move in her head.

I wish I could be more like them. I wish I could be the kind of person who keeps her cool under pressure. But right now, I'm just a mess. My heart is pounding in my ears, and I keep glancing nervously at Asa.

She's the one with the answers. She's the one with the power. Without her, I don't know what I'd do.

"We're almost there," she says, her voice tight, eyes never leaving the path ahead. Her pace quickens.

I nod, trying to steady my breath. "How much time do we have left?"

She doesn't answer right away, and that tells me everything I need to know.

"Not enough," she finally says, her voice barely audible.

I force back the lump in my throat, but I know it's true. We're running out of time—literally.

And still, I can't help but feel like we're close. Something inside me tells me we're almost there.

Almost there to safety.

Asa's POV

The truth hits me like a slap in the face every few minutes: I don't have much time left. I don't have forever. This isn't some fun adventure where we get to wander the streets of Seoul and figure things out as we go. If I don't get back to my world within the next twenty-four hours, I'll disappear. I'll die.

It's hard to keep my head straight with that knowledge gnawing at me, but I do it. I have to do it. Because if I fail, it's not just me I'll be leaving behind. It's Chiquita. And the thought of that sends a cold shiver down my spine.

"I'm sorry," I whisper to myself as I walk ahead, but I know she can hear me. She's close behind, every step matching mine as if we were somehow connected on a level deeper than words.

Chiquita.

I could have gone back alone. I could have left the moment I realized how much I cared about her. But I couldn't. And now, I'm fighting not just for my own survival—but for hers, too.

For our survival.

I glance back, my eyes meeting hers. She smiles at me, though there's a flicker of concern behind her eyes. I can see the question lingering there. Will we make it in time?

I don't know. But I won't give up. Not while she's by my side.

"Don't stop," I mutter under my breath, my words meant more for myself than for anyone else. "We'll make it."

Chiquita's POV

We round another corner and I feel it: the electric tension in the air. The silence is oppressive, thick with anticipation.

We're so close, I can almost feel it.

But then I hear the unmistakable sound of boots hitting the pavement. Heavy steps. Too fast.

My stomach drops.

They're here.

"Get ready," Rora growls from behind me, her voice low and controlled, but there's an edge of urgency in it. "Stay sharp."

I turn to Asa, my hand already reaching for hers. She looks like she's about to make a run for it, but I know she's just as worried as I am.

"No matter what happens," I say, my voice firm, "we're getting to the ship. We have to."

She doesn't say anything at first, but then she looks at me, her eyes dark and determined. "We will. Just keep up."

The sounds of pursuit grow louder. I can't help but glance over my shoulder—and then I see them.

Ahyeon.

She's standing at the end of the alley, her posture calm, composed, but there's a dangerous smile on her face that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Stop," she calls, her voice like silk. "You can't outrun me, Asa."

I feel Asa stiffen beside me, her grip tightening. But there's no hesitation. Not anymore. She's been fighting for this moment for too long to give up now.

"We can outrun you," Asa says, her voice fierce.

"Not this time," Ahyeon replies smoothly, her eyes flicking to her henchmen, who are now emerging from the shadows.

This is it.

Asa's POV

I don't have time to process everything Ahyeon is throwing at us. I don't have time to think about how much I hate that smile on her face.

All I know is we're running out of space. Out of time.

"We have one shot at this," I whisper to Chiquita. She nods, her eyes wide with fear but filled with resolve. She's not going to back down. She's never backed down.

"I'll cover you," Rora says, stepping forward with a determined glare. Ruka stands by her side, her stance defensive but ready for whatever comes next.

I look at Chiquita again. "Stick close. Don't let go."

And then, without warning, I start running.

I push myself harder, my heart pounding as I sprint toward the end of the alley, toward the road, toward freedom. Behind me, I hear the first shout from Ahyeon's henchmen. Then there's the telltale sound of gunfire, a warning shot—nothing more.

But I don't stop. We can't stop.

I can't stop.

Chiquita's POV

I don't know how we're doing this. I don't know how we're still running, but somehow, we are.

Rora's right behind us, blocking any attempts to follow us. Ruka's moving fast, covering our rear as she shoots looks over her shoulder, making sure we're not caught.

But my focus is on Asa. My feet are moving automatically, every step a beat in a rhythm I don't think I can keep up for much longer.

The sound of their footsteps is growing closer—there's no way we can outrun them forever. I don't know what happens when we reach the ship. I don't know if we'll even make it.

But all I know is I have to trust Asa.

We're almost there.

Asa's POV

I can see it. Just ahead. The dark silhouette of the ship hidden behind a row of buildings. We're almost there.

We can make it.

But then—

A figure steps into the street, blocking our way.

It's Ahyeon.

Her arms are crossed, a cruel smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Her eyes glint with something darker. Something... final.

"You're not going anywhere, Asa," she says coldly.

I feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise. There's no way out.

And for the first time since we started running, I feel truly trapped.