ARIA'S POV
I really couldn't believe that we were completely surrounded. I was hoping that, maybe I was just imagining things.
But I wasn't.
The soldiers continued to walk closer with their weapons drawn, their eyes cold and unflinching. Kieran stood in front of me, his body tense and defensive, his gun pointed at the soldier in the front.
I could feel the fear in my chest, but I couldn't let it take over.
The leading soldier stepped closer, his weapon raised. The glint of the blade in the evening light sent a chill down my spine.
"Stay back!" Kieran barked, his voice strong and sharp. He didn't lower his gun. "Don't come any closer."
The soldier didn't stop. Instead, he just kept walking toward us as if Kieran hadn't said a word.
"I said, stop!" Kieran yelled again.
The designer, Elena, stood beside him, her voice filled with panic. "You need to back off! Don't you dare come any closer!"