A Scandal in Nueva Aurora

006. Escapists

Chapter 006:
Escapists

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ZANE

“Leave her alone!” Zephyros’ voice wavered, barely masking his fear. He shifted his position, ready to walk towards what seemed to be the leader, but froze as another man pressed the cold barrel of a gun closer to him.

Raine was in danger, and in that moment, I felt a strange energy stirring within me—something I had long kept hidden, now pushing to break free.

“I told you, I don't know what you are saying!” Raine shouted, but her words were cut short by a sharp slap to her face.

“Two!”

My eyes widened, and I could feel the anger building behind my clenched fists. I closed my eyes, drawing in the cool, air-conditioned air of the house, trying to steady myself.

I wanted to control myself, but I knew my friend needed my help. After a slow, steady breath, I turned to face Raine. Though she tried to mask her fear, I could see through her facade, knowing she was barely holding it together.

Our eyes met, and she gave me a subtle nod. “Zane,” she whispered, “isosceles.” That single word triggered a flood of memories, stirring something deep within me.

“We need a code word for when we face dangerous situations,” I recalled Raine saying to me back in the school’s computer lab.

“I’ll probably just forget it,” I had replied.

“What about ‘Isosceles,’ then?” she suggested, pulling out the book she’d borrowed for me from the library, its title matching her words exactly.

I unleashed a right punch where I poured my surging emotions, connecting solidly with the jaw of the man choking me. Finally free from his grip, I felt a rush of relief. But in his shock, a dart fired from the gun aimed at my friend.

Raine quickly ducked, narrowly avoiding the dart tranquilizer that struck near the chest of one of the men aiming his gun to Zephyros. With swift agility, she lunged for the fallen man's gun, gripping it tightly as she pointed it at the man I had just punched.

Zephyros took a hasty step and seized the opportunity to take the third man who had a gun aimed at Raine, wrapping his hands tightly around the man's throat.

The man who had been choking me raised his gun again, but I delivered a blazing kick to his gut that sent him crashing to the floor. His head collided with the hard wall of the living room, and he immediately lost consciousness.

At that moment, I charged at the third man standing, throwing another punch, but he suddenly vanished from my sight. “What the—” Zephyros exclaimed, dodging the man he was holding, who nearly tripped me down. “Bro, don’t be reckless!”

If he doesn’t bother to ask, once my temper flares, it’s nearly impossible to rein it in.

“Dammit!” I shouted as I regained my balance. Everyone turned to look at me, and I met their gazes with my piercing eyes, especially locking onto Zephyros.

“Zane,” Raine called, but I didn’t turn to look at her.

“Do you want this man to shoot us?” Without warning, I punched the man in black, causing him to lose consciousness and his gun clattered to the ground.

“What’s wrong with you?” Zephyros scolded. Before they could say anything more, I stepped out and moved to another room, leaning against the wall. I tried to calm myself down, but I still listened intently, unsure if the men would wake up quickly.