Shadows and Popularity

Chapter 22: Sidewalk

Chapter 22: Sidewalk

“W-why are you here?” Maya asked, her body suddenly breaking down on her when the statement went out. She fell to her knees before sitting, exhausted, on the damp streets. Right then, she didn’t care about sanitation. She needed to adapt to the aftermath.

Nathan looked back at her when the question was asked, and all of his panic and frustration and anger seeped out of him like sand going through one’s fingers.

“Maya!”

He ran to her, then knelt beside her, his brows knotted his forehead and eyes hazy with nothing but worry, Maya’s reflection glinting off his dark blues as she stared back at him. She hugged him then, her arms wrapping around his neck as she buried her face on his shoulder, just as her cries and moans and tears came out. She was so scared, she had no idea what was going to happen to her, and if Nathan hadn’t come, then she would’ve only ended up in the palms of the other four who were already making their way toward them. She was a fool to think she could escape so easily, she would’ve needed a better plan than what she had come up with during the moment, but she was thankful nonetheless. She was thankful that Nathan had been there for her.

Nathan hugged her back, just as tightly. God, he had never been so scared in his life. The moment he realized what Maya was about to get herself into, he must’ve went mad. He knew he screamed, but he didn’t know how strong. He had never felt so worried, so scared, in his entire life, and he knew not even the brightest flash from the most advanced camera ever built would make him more terrified. The thought of Maya being in such a dangerous situation, even just a split-second repetition, made him feel so afraid for her, so angry at himself if he wasn’t able to do anything for her.

She was starting to tremble vehemently now, her tears slowly turning into gasps of breath and hiccups, his shirt starting to get wet entirely. How afraid was she of the ordeal she had faced? How much did she cry already? The aftershock must be giving her an emotional toll now, but Nathan knew she had to go through it, it was something he just knew. No matter how long she would cry though, he’d be there, he wouldn’t let go of her.

He’d be her shoulder to cry on. He’d never let her out of his sight for their situation to be repeated ever again. He’ll stay by her side, no matter what. These were his honeyed words to her as she kept on crying on his shoulder. His hands traveled to her hair then, as he lightly pushed her closer to him, his promise being made. He’ll never let her go.

Never.

Both heads jerked up toward the opening of the alleyway when a thud caught their attention. Maya’s eyes widened at the sight of four familiar figures standing a few feet away from them. Her voice suddenly disappeared on her as confusion struck, then worry when she stood.

“A-are you guys all right? What happened? Where’d you guys go? Did you get hurt? What happened? Why did my earpiece go bad? Did it break somehow? How?”

She stopped to catch her breath, her cheeks still wet from tears, her eyes already red from crying. She was so distraught, she had no idea what was happening to her. Was she still scared? Or was she already all right and now she was just worried about the four in front of her and Nathan. Wait, four?