Chapter Fifteen

The dimly lit surroundings seemed to close in on us as we packed up the shop, my earlier happiness overshadowed by a lingering sense of unease. Despite selling out all the cakes, I couldn't shake off the tension in the air, and my eyes kept darting around, looking for any signs of trouble.

"Thank you so much, Ty!!" I kept expressing my gratitude to him, my voice slightly trembling as I clung to his reassuring presence. Without him, I might still be in trouble, and I wanted him to know just how grateful I was.

"Seriously, Diane. You've said your thanks a hundred times already," Tyrone replied, trying to lighten the mood with his playful chiding. His warm smile brought a flicker of comfort amidst the growing unease.

As we walked away from the shop, the night enveloped us, the streetlights casting eerie shadows that danced along the pavement. The moon was nowhere to be seen, adding an extra layer of darkness to the atmosphere. A gust of cold wind swept through the air, causing a shiver to run down my spine. But even in the midst of the night's chill, Tyrone's playful nature remained, and he leaned on me, seeking comfort and offering a sense of protection.

"You're incorrigible," I teased, mustering a smile, but my heart was pounding. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, my senses on high alert.

"Hey, be careful. I'm ticklish," he warned, trying to keep things lighthearted.

As we strolled along, a group of intimidating figures emerged ahead of us, exuding an aura of danger. Some wore leather jackets, while others had piercings that gleamed in the dim light. They seemed to bump into us deliberately, stopping us in our tracks.

"Hey, hey, look who we've got here. It's that idiot!" one of them sneered, cigarette in hand.

"I'm sorry if we made a mistake," I said, my voice shaky, as I instinctively moved closer to Tyrone, seeking protection.

"What's wrong, Tyrone? Can't show your face around here anymore?" another guy taunted, and I felt a surge of fear for both of us. I didn't understand what was happening, and their familiarity with Tyrone unsettled me.

"Diane, you go ahead," Tyrone told me, his playful demeanor gone. He looked serious, and it worried me. I didn't want to leave him, but he pleaded with his eyes, and I reluctantly nodded, hesitantly stepping back.

"But Ty-"

"Please?" he implored, and I could see the guilt in his eyes. I felt torn, but I took a few steps back, unsure of what to do.

Before I could walk away, they stopped me, and I felt my heart racing as they continued taunting Tyrone.

"What's the rush, Ty? Scared the girl will find out?" one of them grinned, and I felt a knot forming in my stomach.

Tyrone remained silent, his expression tense. They laughed, whispering among themselves, and my fear intensified.

"Hey, lover boy, don't forget our agreement," their leader said with a sinister smirk.

"May I take Diane home now?" Tyrone asked, trying to maintain composure, but his grip on me tightened, betraying his true feelings. He was desperate to protect me.

"What's this, Ty? I thought you were brave. Looks like you're getting soft for that girl," the chubby guy jeered, and their words stung.

"Maybe that's enough," their leader said, eyeing me up and down, sending shivers down my spine. I didn't like the way he was looking at me, as if he wanted to strip me naked with his gaze.

"I will go there tomorrow. I promise. I just need to win two more fights, right?" Tyrone said, attempting to reason with them.

"Yes, but never mind that. You're free to go. Your chicks are enough for us," the muscular guy said, grinning.

"She's not yours to keep!" Tyrone declared with anger in his voice, his protectiveness evident. My heart swelled with gratitude and concern for him.

"What is he talking about? We don't understand. Quit speaking in a language we do not understand," the big guy said.

"I said, you're an idiot!" Tyrone snapped, kicking their leader and starting our escape. Panic surged through me, and I held onto Tyrone tightly as we ran.

"Run faster, Diane!!" Tyrone urged, and I picked up my pace, not knowing I had it in me to run so fast. Fear coursed through my veins, knowing they were chasing us, and the darkness of the night seemed to mirror my uncertainty.

We turned into a small alley, but they followed us, their laughter echoing in the confined space, making me feel trapped.

"Tyrone!! Tyrone!! What's happening!?" I asked frantically, my voice trembling with anxiety.

As the group of menacing figures closed in on us, fear gripped my heart. Tyrone's determination to protect me was evident, but the odds were against us. My mind raced, desperately seeking a way out of this dangerous situation.

"I'll explain later, but for now, you need to get away from here!" Tyrone urged, his eyes reflecting both fear and determination. His voice wavered with concern for me, and I felt torn between leaving him and staying by his side.

"What about you!?" I questioned, my voice quivering with worry.

"I can fight them off!" he replied, his voice holding a mix of bravery and desperation.

"But there are too many of them!" I pleaded, not wanting him to take on such a dangerous fight alone.

"I'll try to fight them off," Tyrone assured me, trying to sound confident despite the dangerous situation we were in. But I could see the guilt in his eyes, as if he was hiding something from me.

My heart sank as I realized why Tyrone cursed earlier. We had reached a dead end, and the tall, looming wall blocked any possible escape route. Panic set in as we turned back, only to find the group closing in on us, their malevolent smiles sending chills down my spine.

"Diane!! Diane!! Are you okay!?" Tyrone called out to me, his voice tinged with urgency and concern.

My surroundings blurred, and the weight of darkness descended upon me. The fear and adrenaline in my veins were overwhelming, and before I knew it, I succumbed to unconsciousness.