Chapter 14: Nowhere to Run
Click.
The lock turned.
Kavy's stomach twisted so hard she almost gagged.
No.
No, no, no—
She lunged forward, gripping the handle, yanking the door back before he could open it.
Her breath came in sharp, panicked gasps.
He was right there.
Just inches away.
The solid weight of his presence pressed against the door.
Heat. Strength. Unmovable force.
She shoved with all her might, slamming her palms against the wood.
"D-Don't," she gasped.
Dante didn't even grunt from the impact.
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"Open it, Kavy."
A shiver raked down her spine.
Her grip tightened.
No.
She wasn't letting him in.
She wasn't giving in.
Dante exhaled slowly, like she was being difficult.
And then—
He pushed.
Hard.
The door barely budged, but the force behind it was terrifying.
Kavy's arms trembled.
She couldn't hold it forever.
Her body wasn't strong enough.
Then—
The pressure disappeared.
For one moment, she thought—maybe he gave up.
Maybe he'd left.
Maybe—
CRACK.
The door shuddered violently.
A scream tore from her throat as the wood splintered, the force nearly knocking her backward.
Oh God.
Oh God—
He was breaking it down.
"Dante!" she cried, panic clawing up her throat. "Stop! Please—"
CRACK.
Another brutal blow.
The hinges groaned.
She stumbled back, hands shaking, heart slamming against her ribs.
No escape.
No weapons.
Nothing to fight with—
Except her own terror.
Another shuddering impact.
The door buckled.
Then—
Silence.
Thick. Suffocating.
Kavy's breath came in shallow, uneven bursts.
She couldn't see him.
Couldn't hear him.
But she felt him.
Waiting.
Watching.
Hunting.
Then—
His voice. Dark. Unyielding.
"You can't run from me, Kavy."
Her pulse stuttered.
His words weren't a threat.
They were a promise.
And deep inside, some dark, broken part of her already knew he was right.