Maya barely slept.
Not after Ethan's confession.
Not after everything she now knew.
The truth kept replaying in her mind—
He helped them.
Even if he claimed he didn't understand at first… it didn't change what happened to Daniel.
It didn't change the fact that Ethan was part of the reason everything had started.
And yet—
He was also the one standing between her and that same darkness.
It didn't make sense.
Nothing did.
The next morning felt too quiet.
Too normal.
Which made it worse.
Maya walked to school with her guard up, her eyes constantly scanning her surroundings.
Every car that slowed down.
Every stranger that lingered too long.
Every movement felt like a threat.
By the time she reached the school gate, her chest felt tight.
Calm down, she told herself.
You're overthinking.
But deep down—
She knew she wasn't.
Classes passed slowly.
Too slowly.
Maya couldn't focus.
Her mind wasn't in the classroom.
It was outside.
Watching.
Waiting.
Anticipating something she couldn't see yet.
Ethan didn't show up.
Again.
And that—
That made everything worse.
By afternoon, the sky had turned gray.
Heavy clouds gathering.
Rain threatening.
Maya packed her bag quickly once the final bell rang.
She didn't want to stay any longer.
Didn't want to give them a chance.
She stepped out of the school building and headed toward the gate.
Her pace quick.
Her heart racing.
Almost there.
Just a few more steps—
A black van pulled up beside her.
Her breath caught.
The door slid open.
"Get in."
A hand grabbed her arm.
Maya reacted instantly.
"No!"
She pulled back, struggling, her heart slamming against her chest.
Another hand reached for her.
Stronger.
Rougher.
"Don't make this difficult."
Panic surged through her.
She tried to scream—
But a hand covered her mouth.
Her vision blurred as fear took over.
This is it.
They're taking me.
Then suddenly—
Someone slammed into the man holding her.
Hard.
The grip on her loosened.
Maya stumbled back, gasping.
Ethan.
He stood between her and the van, his expression dark and furious.
"I told you," he said coldly, "to stay away from her."
One of the men smirked.
"You're in no position to give orders."
Ethan didn't respond.
He moved.
Fast.
The next few seconds were chaos.
Punches.
Shouts.
The sound of something hitting the ground.
Maya stood frozen, her heart racing as she watched.
Ethan fought like he had done this before.
Like he knew exactly what he was doing.
Because he probably did.
Another man stepped out of the van.
More backup.
Maya's stomach dropped.
This wasn't just an attempt.
This was planned.
"Ethan!" she shouted.
He glanced at her briefly.
"Run!"
She hesitated.
"I'm not leaving you—"
"RUN!"
His voice was sharp.
Urgent.
Maya turned and ran.
Her legs moved faster than ever before.
Her heart pounded in her ears.
Footsteps behind her.
They were chasing her.
Of course they were.
She turned a corner—
And collided into someone.
Strong arms grabbed her.
For a second, she panicked—
But then—
"Easy."
That voice.
Calm.
Cold.
Her blood ran cold.
She looked up.
The man in black.
Her worst fear.
"Let me go!" she struggled.
He held her firmly.
"You really should stop running," he said.
Behind them, the sounds of the fight grew louder.
Closer.
Ethan.
Still fighting.
Still trying.
Maya's chest tightened.
"Take me," she said suddenly.
The man paused.
"What?"
"Take me," she repeated, her voice shaking but firm. "Just leave him alone."
Silence.
For a moment—
Even the chaos around them seemed to fade.
The man studied her carefully.
Then—
He smiled.
"Interesting."