Chapter 54: Chapter 54
“NO!” I struggled painfully when Allen wrapped his fingers at the back of my neck as he slowly lifted me up from the ground. I roamed my eyes in horror when I noticed Ethan lying on the cold dirt, unable to move from the shot.
“W-what did you do to Harry?!” I screamed at the top of my lungs as I tried to wriggle away from his clasp. Allen didn’t say anything, but I sensed he was grinning from ear to ear to see our downfall. I cursed at him with all my heart. Instead of getting mad about it, he laughed in a mockery tone.
“Oh, I took care of him,” he mumbled against my ear, which sent chills down my spine. Before I could take a glimpse of where Harry’s spot Allen threw me with force, and my body slammed against a tree. I gasped in surprise, sliding down on the dirt. I couldn’t move my muscles from the torment.
Allen was powerful. There’s no doubt about that. However, he lost his one arm and could still throw a person with ease and not break a sweat. He’s not a human. He’s literally a behemoth. I gritted my teeth together as I tried to lean my hand on the tree for support when he pulled my hair violently. I wailed as I begged them to let go of me, but he didn’t tune in. Allen brutally leaned my face closer so he could whisper against my lobe.
“If you have surrendered before, it will not fucking lead in this way,” he grumbled darkly, and when he twirled me around so I could see his face, my soul left my body the moment our eyes locked. Allen had lost his composure compared to the first time I saw him. He was calm and collected before, like the type of leader that wouldn’t get fazed if multiple dangers up ahead faced him.
Right now, he looks famished for revenge. His eyes tell a different story for this chase. He wasn’t doing this for those people that Ethan had killed or his fallen troupes. He is doing this for his pride. To supply his ego. He wants the world to know that he is unvanquishable for capturing a rare beast in this generation.
“D-do you have a family?” I abruptly asked, which made him cause more havoc. Allen clenched his jaw as he tightened his hold on me. A tear escaped from the scrutinizing pain I felt. I breathed in and out, controlling my respiration when he answered me.
“I am doing this for my family. I am doing this so your goddamn husband won’t kill them!” his voice roared all over the area, vibrating the ground beneath us. Instead of being dazed by his words, a gradual smile crept onto my face.
“E-Ethan wouldn’t hurt your family, nor any other family out there-”
“LIE! He fucking killed my troupes!” he motioned his hand all over the place to emphasize what he was talking about. However, I didn’t falter. I slowly raised my hands to soothe his choler. Allen flinched when I touched his cheek, but he didn’t lean away as he stared back at me with the same intensity.
Behind the circumstances of what is happening right now, I still managed to smile at him genuinely while also recalling my life with Ethan.
“He did that b-because he had no choice. If you are doing this to protect your family…think of Ethan as he was doing this to protect me….”
Allen opened his trembling mouth and looked like he was about to say something when he closed it again. This time he was utterly speechless, so I took this opportunity to explain to him our side.
“E-Ethan changed, even though if you think that is not true, I can prove it to you by just talking to you.” my vision was getting blurry from the tears that won’t stop me from falling endlessly.
“Ethan wasn’t my first love. It was his brother. I had mistaken him for Nathan, his twin, and I didn’t know I was running against a serial killer slash a beast. I must admit, h-he hurt me before, but-” before Allen could jump in, I continued.
“But he suppresses himself from killing me. We slept together, and at that very moment, he could have had the chance to slaughter me, Allen. Sometimes, we’re alone, yet he didn’t let me kick off the bucket. The same goes for me. Ethan gave me the chance to run away from him because he knows how chanceful he was, and everything he touches becomes destructive or falls apart.”
Allen slowly loosened his grip on my neck as I fell to the ground, kneeling for him. I clasp my hands together pleadingly, begging him to comprehend every word I say. I was breaking down in front of him, but I couldn’t care much about what I looked like right now. All I need is his understanding of our story.
“But t-this time, I can assure you, Allen, that Ethan really has changed, and this time, he did it for himself. Not for me, his deceased parents, or anyone he killed. He changed for the better and was ready to live a normal life, as a normal person.”
Allen couldn’t say anything as we watched me almost making out on the ground, just in front of his feet. A long deafening silence prevails over us when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I stopped crying and slowly lifted my face to see Allen pointing a gun at my forehead.
“Your little speech won’t falter me, Natasha. Take note of that.”
My eyes widened in horror when he was about to pull the trigger. It was as if everything around me faded, and the only thing I could see was the mouth of the gun pointed at me and Allen’s wicked smile that clouded with darkness. My heart skipped a beat when Allen pulled the trigger. A blaring bang echoed throughout the woods, numbing my entire body.
I waited for seconds, which turned into minutes, to see if something was flowing down my face. I could still think clearly. Am I dead? Is this what it feels like when you get shot in the head? You could still think? I flinched when I heard a loud thud as if something had dropped in front of me. I slowly opened my lids, and my brain had stopped functioning for a second when I saw Allen lying lifeless on the ground.
I had to think multiple times and rub my eyes. How? Blood was gushing out from his body. I slowly backed away when I felt a hand placed above my shoulder.
“Natasha, fuck…”
I looked up and saw it was Ethan, who was embracing me between his arms. He pulled me into a tight hug, giving me this warm, affectionate squeeze. He kissed my temple before he wrapped his arms around my body to carry me.
“Harry saved you,” he mumbled against my lips, making me pause to think. Harry? We both glance at Harry, holding a sniper covered with blood. His left eye was closed while the other eye was barely even open.
“Come on! The helicopter is waiting!” he motioned us to march forward, then pointed at his helicopter floating in the air, anticipating us. I smiled because there was still hope for us to get out of this place. Ethan carried me bridal style, then started to sprint his way towards Harry’s spot.
“We’re getting out of here, my love. When everything is over, we will start a family together.”
I smiled at him, resting my head against his chest where his heart was beating. We’re still a family, even if we’re miles away from each other. I am so glad that I didn’t give up on Ethan. I know how annihilative our life is and that we should just give up. However, giving up isn’t in Ethan’s vocabulary. He did everything he could just to save me. I would do the same for him, even if my life was on the line.
I looked up and saw that Harry was already climbing up the ladder. Ethan stopped at the end of the ladder then he brought me down on the grass. There was nothing in miles, so I think we’re safe now.
“Climb up. I’ll follow behind you.” he cupped my cheeks, and I nodded, not wasting any more time.
I spin around to face the ladder and then grip as hard as I can of the rope. This was a little challenging for me since I am afraid of heights and need to get to the top of the helicopter. Harry was already there as he peeked his body to glance down at us.
“Natasha! I’ll wait for you here!” he yelled, then stretched out his hand for me. I breathed in and out before starting to climb up. The helicopter moved, making the ropes wriggle. I wanted to cry and yell, but we didn’t have much time. I man up myself and then did the technique of not looking down while climbing up. I know Ethan is down there, ready to catch me if ever I lose grip.
Fortunately, I reached the top as Harry helped me climb above the helicopter’s stomach. He embraced me, and I did the same, crying on his shoulder.
“You’re alive….” I whispered before backing away to look him in the eyes.
“How about Steve? Is he…?” I watched as his expression turned dark and void, averting his eyes away. The silence answered my question, making me clench my hands into a balled fist.
“They killed my best f-friend….” his voice broke as he muttered these words.
“I will never forgive them, never,” he grumbled darkly while looking straight ahead. I could see in his eyes that he was reminiscing his moments together while Steve was still alive.