Alyssa’s POV
“Move, move, move!” I shouted over the roar of collapsing concrete as the building trembled beneath our feet. The floor buckled and debris cascaded down in a chaotic torrent. My heart pounded like a war drum as I dragged Ethan toward a partially intact corridor, desperate to pull him from the impending collapse.
“Alyssa, I’m fine-just get me out of here!” Ethan pleaded, his voice strained as he clung to my arm. His eyes were wide with terror, but his trust in me was absolute. I couldn’t risk losing him-not now, not ever.
“Keep talking, Ethan. We’re getting out, I promise,” I reassured him, my voice steady despite the panic clawing at my insides. Every step felt like a battle against time. I could hear the crunch of falling rubble and the shattering of glass all around us.
At the far end of the corridor, I spotted Xavier. His muffled shouts reached me through the cacophony as he struggled under a heavy beam. “Alyssa! I’m trapped-don’t leave me!” His voice was hoarse with pain and fear.
I didn’t hesitate. “Xavier, hang on-I’m coming!” I yelled as I pivoted, pulling Ethan behind me. With every ounce of strength, I sprinted toward the pinned figure. My mind raced with conflicting emotions-loyalty, duty, and the unyielding need to save those who’d fought beside me, regardless of our past conflicts.
Bursting into the room, I skidded to a halt beside Xavier, who was trapped under a large chunk of debris. Dust swirled around us, and his face was streaked with grime and pain. “I’m not going anywhere, Alyssa,” he insisted, gritting his teeth as he tried to shift the weight off his chest. “You know I can handle myself.”
I knelt by his side, glancing back at Ethan who was still limping toward us. “Xavier, I can’t- I won’t leave anyone behind. We’ve been through too much together. You’re not getting left in this mess.” My voice was firm, even as my heart ached at the sight of him pinned and struggling.
“Don’t make this harder, Alyssa,” he muttered through clenched teeth. “I’m fine. Just get Ethan out.” His eyes, however, betrayed the fear that he wasn’t as strong as he pretended.
Before I could reply, the sound of shattering concrete grew louder. The ceiling above us began to crumble, sending jagged beams crashing toward the exit. “We have to move now!” I urged, grabbing his arm and trying to lift the debris. My fingers trembled with urgency as I strained against the weight that pinned him.
In that critical moment, the building trembled again, and a chilling voice cut through the chaos. “Run if you can-I’ll be waiting.”
I froze, my blood running cold as I recognized Leon’s voice, echoing from somewhere within the collapsing structure. His tone was mocking, as if this cataclysm was merely another twist in his endless game.
“Leon!” I spat, anger and fear colliding in a painful mix. “You won’t get away with this.”
Before any of us could react, a loud rumble signaled another collapse. Concrete rained down around us, forcing my allies to scramble for cover.
I dragged Xavier, now reeling in pain, toward a narrow exit while clutching Ethan tightly. Every step was a battle, each second more desperate than the last.
“Keep moving, Xavier-stay with me!” I shouted, despite the chaos. Xavier grunted in protest, but I could see that he was too weak to free himself on his own.
The sound of debris falling, the distant cries of others trapped within, all merged into a single symphony of ruin.
Ethan’s voice came in between panicked shouts. “Alyssa, hurry! The exit’s almost blocked!”
I pushed harder, ignoring the burning pain in my arms as I dragged them both. Every instinct screamed for survival and unity. I refused to let Leon’s twisted manipulation tear apart what little we had left.
Even as the building trembled on the verge of total collapse, I was determined that none of my allies would be left behind.
Just as we neared the exit, a final, gut-wrenching crash sent a cascade of rubble sliding down the corridor. I shielded Xavier and Ethan with my body, my own breath ragged from exertion and fear.
The walls shuddered violently, and a low, mechanical click cut through the clamor-a sound I’d come to dread.
My heart sank as I saw a panel in the far wall shift. Amid the chaos, Leon’s silhouette emerged from a hidden door, his eyes cold and calculating.
With a sly smirk, he raised a hand and uttered, “You may have escaped this ruin, Alyssa, but you haven’t escaped me.”
The words sent a fresh wave of terror through me. I glared at him, rage boiling inside. “Leon, what do you want?” I demanded, though I knew there was no easy answer.
Leon stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over our disheveled group. “I’m merely reminding you,” he said coolly, “that I still hold the upper hand. I warned you, didn’t I? And now… consider this a parting gift.”
He leaned closer, his eyes glinting with malice. “I’ll be watching. And next time, you won’t be so lucky.”
Before I could force him to say more, the building shuddered once again, a deafening groan of collapsing metal and concrete overwhelming the space.
Leon’s form began to blur as dust and smoke consumed the area, and with one final mocking laugh, he vanished into the chaos.
“Leon!” I roared, but my cry was swallowed by the cacophony of destruction. In that moment, the building’s collapse accelerated, debris falling like a storm of vengeance. I clutched Ethan and Xavier tightly, my mind racing with the realization that Leon’s warning was far from empty.
As we stumbled toward the remaining light of the exit, the echo of Leon’s final words haunted me-his promise that we hadn’t seen the last of him.