Aria stumbles through the dark alley, pain lancing through her side with every step. The blood from her wound soaks through her tattered shirt, but she doesn’t have time to care about that. She’s not sure how long she’s been running, but the sound of footsteps behind her keeps pushing her forward. She can’t get caught, not now.
She’s so close.
Her breath comes in sharp gasps, her body protesting, but she grits her teeth and keeps moving. If she can just get to the safe house... She’s almost there.
Suddenly, Aria’s vision spins, and she instinctively reaches for her knife, but her hand falters. Her strength is fading. The world around her tilts as she tries to push herself up, but her body refuses.
Shit,
she mutters, gritting her teeth against the ache in her ribs.
You—
Her voice is rough, low, but she’s not backing down.
Stay out of my way.
*They’d better not be a threat, because right now, she’s too weak to defend herself.
A bitter laugh escapes her lips.
Escape. That’s a joke.
Just... don’t... get in my way.