The promise.

Hurt- Avery.

Alex opened the door with a loud bonk.
Alex entered the room with a grin, his eyes were focused on me.
''Time's up'' he yelled out and he advanced towards me.
''Leave her alone, Alex'' Thomas demanded and stepped between us.
''Whatever you want, take it out on me''
Alex laughed darkly, ''Oh Thomas, you have no idea how deep this goes''
Thomas his eyes narrowed, ''What are you talking about?''
Alex ignored him and reached out for me.
''You are just a means to an end, girl. Jace needs to pay for what he did" I struggled against Alex, my voice was breaking.
''It's my fault, Alex. I was drunk. Blame me, kill me! But don't blame Jace, Miles or Avery for this. Do not harm Avery!...''
''If all of them looked out better, Riley was still there!'' Alex yelled out. I cried,
''Jace loved Riley, you are twisting the truth Alex! You are letting your grief turn into something monstrous.'' I cried out.
''Shut up!'' He shouted and brought out a knife, he was being serious with a sobbed face I looked at Thomas, who was looking worried.
Thomas came closer,
''Don't come any closer, Thomas. I swear I'll end her right now''
Thomas his voice trembled,
''Alex, listen to yourself. Riley wouldn't want this. Please put the knife down, we find another way''
''No, it's too late for that. I am doing what I should've done a long time ago. Your brother Jace needs to pay, and he can't so you will''
Before I could react, Alex lunged at me with the knife.
I screamed and tried to dodge, but the blade caught my arm sending a searing pain through my body. I stumbled back clutching my wound.
''Avery!'' Thomas yelled out.
My vision blurred with tears, Alex raised the knife again.
I stepped backwards not realizing the edge of the table was right behind me.
My foot caught on one of its legs and I lost my balance.
I fell sideways, my body twisting awkwardly as I tumbled to the ground.
I landed hard on my side. Pain exploded in my leg, more intense than anything I ever felt before.
A scream tore from my throat as I clutched at my leg.
Thomas lunged at Alex, tackling him to the ground.
Thomas had to move quickly, Alex had a knife. One wrong move and Alex could actually end him. Thomas was able to grab the knife from Alex and with a powerful punch he knocked him out.
I was bleeding heavily, I tried to pull myself up but it was impossible because of the pain in my leg.
''Avery, are you okay?'' I tried to stop the bleeding with my hand, I was in pain and I wasn't able to bring out a word.
''Avery, it's going to be okay, okay? Look at me, I will take care of you''
He quickly pulled off his shirt, revealing a body covered in scars. The sight of the marks made my heart ache. They looked like stab wounds...
''Thomas.." I choked out, my voice was weak.
''Your scars, what happened?''
''They are from the car crash, glass shattered into my body. But don't worry about me. Right now, we need to stop the bleeding and get out of here, okay?''
He pressed his shirt against my wound, the fabric quickly soaked in blood.
Tears streamed down my face, but I reached up.
My fingers brushing against the scars on this chest, was the car crash that bad?
''Thomas, I am so sorry...'' my face was filled with tears,
''You've been through so much'' I added.
His face softened and he leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine.
''Avery, you don't need to be sorry, we'll get through this together I promise''
Despite my pain, I managed a weak smile.
''We need to get out of here before Alex wakes up''
Thomas lifted me into his arms. I gasped as pain shot through my leg but I clung to him trying to focus on his heartbeat.
Thomas carried me toward the stairs, I clutched Thomas tighter,
''We need to hurry'' Thomas kicked open the basement door with all his power.
We stumbled into the dimly lit hallway. Freedom was so close.
We made our way through the house, we were free but not safe.
The adrenaline was wearing off, and the pain in my side was becoming unbearable.
Thomas's grip tightened as he carried me through the dark streets, his breath labored and determined. I could feel the warmth of my blood seeping through the clothes, but I held on, focusing on the sound of his heartbeat against my ear.
"Hold on, Avery," Thomas urged, his voice filled with urgency.
"We're almost there." I nodded weakly.
We needed to find Miles, to make sure he was safe and get the help we desperately needed. Finally, we reached Miles's house. Thomas shifted me slightly, freeing one hand to knock on the door.
The seconds felt like hours, and my vision started to blur.

Just when I thought I couldn't hold on any longer, the door swung open.
Miles stood there, his eyes wide with shock.
"Thomas? Avery? What the hell happened?" I felt a rush of relief so overwhelming that tears filled my eyes.
''Miles, you're alive!'' I cried out, I could see the relief on Thomas' face too.
"Please, Miles, we need your help," Thomas pleaded, his voice cracking.
"Avery's hurt."
Miles's expression shifted from shock to determination.
"Get inside, quickly."
He let us in, and Thomas gently laid me on the couch.
Miles disappeared into another room, returning with a first aid kit and his phone. As he dialed the emergency number, he began to clean and bandage my wounds with a practiced hand.
"It's going to be okay, Avery, the cops are coming," Miles said softly,
"You're safe now. You are so strong, honey" I managed a weak smile, relieved to see Miles unharmed. Despite the pain, I felt a flicker of hope. If anyone could help us, it was him. Minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Finally the cops were there.
"Stay here," he instructed, moving towards the door. Thomas and I watched as he opened it. My blood ran cold when I saw who was standing there: Alex.
His eyes sent a shiver down my spine. "What the hell are you doing here?" Thomas demanded, stepping protectively in front of me. Alex smirked, stepping inside as if he owned the place. "Why, I'm here to finish what I started."