Long sleeves hide scars (Zack X Reader)

Chapter Twelve

The sound of the scythe piercing flesh echoed through the tense silence of the room. Blood dripped onto the cold, metallic floor in slow, deliberate splatters, staining the pristine room with vivid crimson.

Your breath hitched as Zack crumpled to his knees, his scythe clattering to the ground beside him. His face twisted in pain, yet his grin remained —a wild, defiant expression that sent a chill down your spine.

"Zack!" you cried, rushing to his side.

He waved you off with a bloody hand, his voice strained but dripping with his usual bravado. "I'm fine."

"You stabbed yourself!" you snapped, dropping to your knees beside him. Your hands hovered over the wound, panic warring with urgency. "How the hell is that fine?"

"I wasn't gonna kill her," he growled, nodding toward Rachel, who stood frozen a few feet away, "This was... better."

Rachel's wide, unblinking eyes fixed on Zack's injury, her lips parting as if to speak. But no words came.

"You're so predictable Zack," Cathy's voice cut through the air, her tone dripping with amusement.

You whirled around to see her leaning against the wall, twirling her gun lazily in her hand. The sadistic glee in her eyes made your blood boil.

"Oh, don't look at me like that, darling," she cooed, locking eyes with you. "I knew you'd do something dramatic, but this?"

Your face burned with anger, but Zack beat you to the punch-figuratively. "Shut up," he growled, though his voice was weaker now.

Cathy ignored him, her attention wholly on you. "And you," she purred, taking a step closer. "So desperate to save him. What is it about this brute that's got you so devoted? Is it love? Lust? Or are you just hopelessly naive?"

"Get out of my way," you spat, your hands already fumbling with the first aid kit you'd grabbed earlier. Zack's blood soaked through his shirt, the dark stain growing with each passing second.

Cathy tilted her head, feigning a pout. "Always so serious. You're lucky you're so cute-otherwise, I might've gotten bored of you by now."

"Leave them alone," Rachel's voice rang out, steady and calm despite the tension in the room. She stepped forward, her small frame somehow commanding attention.

Cathy laughed, the sound sharp and grating. "Oh, sweetheart, don't ruin the moment. I was just getting to the good part."

You ignored the exchange, focusing on Zack as he leaned heavily against the wall. "Stay still," you murmured, pressing a wad of gauze against his wound.

"Not like I'm going anywhere," he muttered, his golden eyes locking onto yours for a brief moment. Despite the pain, his expression softened-just slightly.

The sound of Cathy's heels clicking against the floor snapped you out of the moment. "You know," she said, drawing closer, "This is all terribly boring. Maybe I should spice things up. What do you think, Zack? Should I put them out of their misery?"

Her gun rose, the barrel aimed squarely at you.

"Don't you dare," Zack snarled, his hand twitching toward his scythe-but it was out of reach.

"Cathy, stop!" Rachel's voice was sharp this time, cutting through the tension like a blade.

For a split second, Cathy paused, glancing at Rachel with mock surprise. "Oh, are you finally going to do something, little angel?"

Rachel didn't respond. Instead, she raised the pistol she had in her purse, her hands steady and sure.

The room seemed to freeze. Cathy's smile faltered, just for a moment. Then-