Mission Love - Chasing Mr. Right ✓

Thirty- Three

Recap: Naveen attacked us?!

"Ryan, run." I shrieked, but he just stared, dumbfounded. I started hyperventilating as Naveen closed the distance between us, so I did the only thing that came to my mind.

I didn't think. I acted.

Grabbing Ryan's wrist, yanking him so hard he nearly tripped.
"MOVE!" I screamed, tugging him behind me as we bolted toward the street.

"What the hell?!" he shouted, stumbling to keep up.

"HE HAS A KNIFE!" I yelled over my shoulder, my voice cracking with panic.

Ryan's eyes widened. "Wait, what-"

"DOES IT MATTER? RUN!"

We tore down the alley, our footsteps echoing against the walls.
Oh God! Please! Is this how I die? Dragging a grown man who trips over air?

Don't look back. Don't look back.
Why did I look back?!

Naveen was catching up quickly,his face a mask of fury as he sprinted after us, a huge and sharp knife in hand that he probably took days to sharpen for this moment.

"F*ck. I underestimated him!"Ryan hissed, his grip tightened around my wrist, as I tugged him forward.

We pushed through the busy market street, the cacophony of shouts, clinking wares, and honking horns drowning out my frantic breaths. I wove through the crowd, dragging Ryan along as he stumbled over every loose cobblestone in the alley.

Ugh- For God's Sake! If he trips one more time, I'm leaving him

"Keep up dammit!" I barked, nearly yanking his arm out of its socket as I forced him to dodge a street vendor with a tray of sizzling kebabs.

"I'm trying! You ever think before doing?!" he shot back, huffing.

"Yes. I'm thinking about running faster!" I snapped.

The sound of heavy footfalls thudded behind us. I dared a glance over my shoulder. Naveen wasn't slowing down. If anything, he was gaining, getting closer and closer.

Oh no no no! Do I turn and fight? No, no, bad idea. Running was smarter. At least till now.

Ryan followed my gaze and cursed. "What is his deal? Did you steal something?"

"YOU. HE'S AFTER YOU. YOU DIMWIT." I swerved sharply down a side alley, dragging Ryan into the narrow passage lined with laundry flapping in the wind.

"Did you just call me dimwit?"

I ignored him, focusing on my feet pounding against the uneven pavement. My lungs burned, and my legs were screaming in protest, but I didn't dare stop.

We burst out of the passage into a construction site, half-finished steel beams and cement pillars looming overhead. I skidded to a halt, eyes darting around for an escape route.
A ladder. A staircase.
Hell, even a hole in the ground would do.

Ryan doubled over, hands on his knees. "Please tell me we lost him," he wheezed.

"Can you shut up? I'm trying to save lives," I shot back, my voice low and clipped, while trying to keep an eye on Naveen who spun in circles, desperately scanning every corner.

"Every time I try to help-"

"Help? What help?" I hissed, words tumbling out in one breath. "If you'd just gone your own way, this wouldn't have happened. And how did you even find me?"