Psychos matched

Gasps filled the air.

"Hey, shouldn't someone be helping her?"

"That was really dangerous just now."

"Yeah, why aren't the soldiers stepping in?"

"Is this what we'll have to deal with out there?"

"But what's wrong with Derek? Losing it over a breakup?"

"Guess every golden couple has its issues."

"Yeah, a psycho matched with another psycho. That's why we should never get involved in elite business."

Ella heard every word. They weren't wrong—Derek was attacking her like a madman. She had barely dodged in time. The last attack had been too close. She hit the ground hard, rolling three times before nearly stopping at the line—the one they had been warned never to cross. Three gunshots rang out, each landing mere inches away from her. Warning shots. A clear message: If even a strand of her hair touched the other side, they would not hesitate to shoot.

Her breath hitched. Panic swelled in her chest, the desperate urge to run, to disappear pressing in on her. But she couldn't afford to freeze. She bit her tongue, clenched her eyes shut. Come on, Ella. Six years of surviving this hellhole can't go to waste. You've still got a long way to go.

Slowly, the dizziness that threatened to consume her receded. Her mind, though muddled, cleared enough for one question to surface—why was she even fighting her ex in the first place?

Before she could think further, Derek lunged again. Ella noticed two things: One, he was attacking blindly, with no strategy or reason. Two, he was drooling excessively. This wasn't just a breakdown over a breakup—this was something far worse.

Derek lunged at her full force. She twisted out of the way, using her legs to sweep against his knees. He stumbled, tipping forward as though he would crash onto her. She rolled again, barely escaping the impact.

Thud!

As soon as he hit the ground, she moved. Swiftly, she locked her thighs around his torso, holding him in place while using one arm to push him back. But even mindless, Derek was stronger. His strength was no fluke—it was something passed down through generations, the kind explained in theories dating back to Darwin's Origin of Species. Survival of the fittest.

But to Ella, fittest meant whoever wanted to live the most. Strength alone wouldn't decide this fight. No gene could outmatch her determination.

With her free hand, she uncapped the syringe she had prepared. Derek clawed at her, growling, his body thrashing wildly. With everything she had left, she drove the needle into his left buttock, pressing down on the plunger without hesitation.

As soon as the drug entered his system, Ella felt her energy drain. The adrenaline keeping her upright vanished. She collapsed onto her side, gasping for breath.

"Did she win?"

"He stopped moving."

"Whoa, that was insane. That took real courage."

"Look at me, I'm shaking. I have goosebumps."

"Our genius is also an ace fighter? Suddenly, I don't mind being in the same car as her."

Is it over? she wondered. Derek's body spasmed. His resistance weakened… but only slightly.

Then his eyes snapped open.

A deep, guttural growl rumbled from his chest. His teeth gleamed—pearl white, too perfect compared to his disheveled state.

Ella's breath caught. Why? Was the dose not enough? Was the drug ineffective? What went wrong?

There was no time for answers. Derek twisted unnaturally, eyes locking onto her. Then, he lunged.

Ella scrambled back, but she was too slow. Derek was on her in seconds, claws reaching, mouth open—ready to tear into her.

Panic consumed her. What should I do? What should I do?

There was nothing nearby to use as a weapon. No escape. Her body was too weak to fight back.

Is this it? Was she going to die here?

A gunshot rang out. The bullet grazed the ground—right next to her hand.

Ella jolted. Her finger… just her finger had crossed the line. Another warning.

She froze. She was trapped. If she crossed the line, the soldiers would shoot her. If she stayed, Derek would tear her apart. A quick, painless death versus a slow, torturous one.

I'm doomed.

Her chest heaved, her heartbeat thunderous. Her stomach churned violently as fear threatened to overtake her completely.

Derek lunged again.

Ella gripped her bag tightly and squeezed her eyes shut.

This was it.