ALEXIA P.O.V
I was running.
My breath came out in ragged gasps as I forced my way through the forest, branches tearing at my skin and dress. My legs burned with every step, threatening to give out at any moment, but I couldn't stop.
I wouldn't stop.
Not now.
Not when I was so close to surviving.
My once bright white dress clung heavily to my body, soaked in blood—mine… and theirs.
My family.
The thought alone made my chest tighten painfully, but I pushed it away. If I let myself think about it, even for a second, I knew I would break.
And breaking meant death.
How did it turn out like this?
How did everything I treasured disappear in one single night?
Where did it all go wrong?
The questions raced through my mind, each one more painful than the last, but none of them had answers.
Not now.
Maybe not ever.
Behind me, I could hear them.
Footsteps.
Closing in.
Steady.
Unhurried.
Like they already knew I wasn't going to escape.
"No… no, no…" I whispered under my breath, panic rising in my chest.
My pace quickened despite the pain shooting through my legs.
I couldn't let them catch me.
I wouldn't.
I felt it before I saw it—
A presence.
Too close.
Then—
A hand brushed against mine.
Cold.
My heart nearly stopped.
Before I could react—
The ground beneath my feet gave way.
A gasp tore from my throat as I fell—
And everything went black.
"ALEXA!! ALEXA!! Where are you?!"
The voice shattered the darkness.
My eyes snapped open as I sucked in a sharp breath, my chest rising and falling rapidly.
"Ahh…" I groaned, clutching my head as pain shot through it. "What… what happened?"
"Oh! I found her! She's over here!" Clara's voice rang out.
Moments later, she was beside me, crouching down and inspecting me with worry written all over her face.
"What were you thinking?!" she snapped. "Jumping on top of a moving train without enough stamina? Do you have a death wish?!"
"I—" I winced as another wave of pain hit me. "What about the culprit?"
Naomi walked toward us, her expression serious.
"He got away," she said.
Her words made something inside me tighten.
"Then what are we waiting for?" I said quickly, trying to push myself up. "Let's go after him—"
The moment I stood, my vision spun and my legs gave out.
Clara caught me before I hit the ground.
"You can barely stand," she said firmly. "Forget it. We're not doing anything today."
"Clara's right," Naomi added. "We'll get him another time. Magnus won't disappear."
"But—"
"No buts," Clara cut in, wrapping my arm around her shoulder to support me. "We're leaving."
Reluctantly, I let them guide me to the car.
I hated this feeling.
Being weak.
Being unable to finish what I started.
—
"Don't look so worked up," Naomi said as she started the engine. "It's not like this is the first time we're chasing someone."
"That's exactly the problem," I muttered, leaning back into the seat. "He keeps slipping through our fingers."
"At least we didn't come back empty-handed," Clara chimed in cheerfully.
I frowned.
"What do you mean—"
Then I saw it.
A small puppy nestled comfortably in her arms.
I stared at her in disbelief.
"You cannot be serious."
"We're keeping it," she said proudly.
"No. We are not," I said flatly. "We found that during a raid. What if it's a spy?"
Clara blinked.
"A… spy? It's a puppy, Alexa."
Naomi laughed. "You're being paranoid."
I crossed my arms.
"Am I? You never know."
Clara hugged the puppy tighter.
"Don't listen to her," she cooed. "She's just grumpy."
I rolled my eyes.
"Fine. Keep it. But keep it away from me."
"Deal," Clara said with a grin. "I won't let the big bad Alexa scare you."
—
"Alright, what are we eating?" Naomi asked.
"Spaghetti," I said immediately, raising my hand.
"Same," Naomi agreed.
Clara sighed dramatically. "Looks like I don't have a choice."
"You really don't," I smirked.
—
"Home sweet home," Naomi said as she pulled into the driveway.
I blinked, surprised.
I hadn't even realized how short the ride had been.
"Come on, fluffy!" Clara said, already rushing out of the car. "Let me show you your new room!"
"You already named it?" I muttered.
Unfortunately, she was already gone.
"Get some rest," Naomi said before heading inside.
I stood there for a moment, exhaustion finally settling into my bones.
"…Yeah," I sighed. "I need that."