The realization

{ Alessandro}

The cold barrel of the gun pressed against my temple, and for the first time in a long time, I felt it fear. A deep, suffocating fear, that this was it. The end.

I sucked in a shaky breath, closing my eyes. ' I'll never find out what happened to my brother.' I thought fear gripping me.

Scarface cocked the gun. The sound of the trigger being caressed by his finger echoed through the warehouse, sending shivers down my spine.

I braced myself.

…

But the shot never came.

Instead, a different sound filled the air. A sharp crack, followed by a startled yell. Then another. And another.

My eyes snapped open.

Chaos.

Men were flying thrown like ragdolls, their bodies slamming against the walls, their weapons clattering to the ground. The air buzzed with something unnatural, something I couldn't see but could feel crackling around me.

Scarface was gone. No, he was on the ground, groaning, his gun several feet away from him.

I sat frozen, heart pounding. What the hell was happening?

The men around me were wide-eyed, scrambling for cover, screaming about ghosts and demons. I wanted to tell them I was just as clueless, but my throat had gone dry.

Then one of them held a gun against my head screaming " what have you done ?!?!"

I swallowed hard, my gaze darting across the room, as the man was launched across the room like he weighed nothing.

Who or what just saved me?

Then, suddenly I felt the ropes that were squeezing all of the blood out of me loosen.

A phantom touch ghosted over my skin. My breath hitched. Was I next?

I started to tremble and I turned as white as a ghost, I tried to jerk away, but the hands held firm. My pulse hammered against my ribs. Then, just as suddenly as they appeared they were gone.

Then, it dawned on me that once these men recovered, they'd capture me and kill me .

Fear gripped me, and I ran, as fast as my legs would carry me. As I reached the door of the warehouse, my pulse pounded in my ears. My hands fumbled against the rusted metal handle, slick with sweat. I yanked, expecting resistance...

But the door flew open before I could even pull.

I stumbled forward, nearly falling, but caught myself at the last second. Cold night air rushed against my face, but it did little to calm the fire burning through my veins.

Behind me, the groans of the men grew louder. Some were already stirring. I could hear their frantic whispers, their confusion turning to rage.

They think I did this.

I didn't have time to convince them otherwise.

Footsteps pounded against the concrete, and I pushed myself forward, sprinting down a narrow alley, my legs screaming in protest. My ribs ached from the beatings, my breath came in sharp, ragged bursts.

I needed to disappear. Fast.

My mind raced. Who had just saved me? What had saved me? I wasn't a religious man, but this, this felt like something beyond my understanding.

I didn't hesitate. "Albert, arrange a flight back to Los Angeles."

Then, his robotic voice cut though the air like metal." Consider it done, sir ."

{ Mia }

" Found anything Scarlett?!"

" No , there seems to be nothing out of the ordinary, maybe it was 'just a dream' , don't get stressed out over nothing."

" I don't believe you, could you please check with Albert?"

" I already did Mia he's alright."

I sighed, I knew something was wrong but I couldn't prove it .

" Give me all the chats between dad and Albert."

God I was so happy I gifted him that watch for his birthday.

~~~~~~~~

' Albert, scan for any lifeform '

' none found '

Ten minutes passed in silence before dad asked another question to Albert.

' book a ticket to Los Angeles '

~~~~~

" Seems like something happened, he's eager to return."

Through my calm facade, I was trembling with fear. " scan for any life forms " My breath hitched as dread settled in.

A cold shiver crawled down my spine. My hands clenched into fists. I wasn't crazy. I wasn't dreaming. I was there.