chapter 16

Continuation of flashback

Eliza's POV

As I slowly opened my eyes, the world swam into focus, but everything felt heavy, weighed down by a dull ache. I was lying on the cold, hard floor, my head throbbing with a searing pain. I tentatively reached up to touch my forehead, and my fingers came away sticky with blood, warm and metallic-tasting. My vision blurred, and for a moment, I felt like I was going to pass out again, but I forced myself to stay awake, my heart racing with panic. Where was Lily? I struggled to sit up, my head spinning, but I had to know she was okay.

My eyes searched for her. She was nowhere to found. I heard loud noises and shouting from a room. I couldn't even move. I can't hear what they are talking about. My vision was blur and my hearing too. I felt numb. I know there is no more time for me.

As I attempted to stand, a brutal force slammed me back onto the floor, sending shockwaves of agony coursing through my battered body. A raw, guttural scream tore from my throat, betraying my resolve. The pain was too much, overwhelming my senses, and I couldn't stifle the cry that escaped my lips. I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I writhed on the floor, my body screaming in protest. The sound of my own scream seemed to echo through the room, a stark reminder of my helplessness.

My scream awakened the wolfs.

A burly man loomed over me, his meaty hands closing around my arms like a vice. He yanked me up from the floor, and I stumbled, my legs barely holding my weight. With a cruel jerk, he started dragging me across the floor, my feet scraping against the ground as I struggled to keep up. The voices grew louder, a cacophony of despair and desperation, and I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized what horrors might lie beyond the door. The man threw me into the room, and I stumbled, my eyes scanning the space in terror.

Lily.. She was knelt down on the floor.Next to me. I checked her body but there was no trace of injuries even i looked close. She was looking at me in horror and tears. "D.. Don't cry"i whispered, struggling to talk."Are you okay?" I asked her but she burst out crying. I held my head. I can't see clearly. I closed my eyes hard. I looked around. They were still arguing.

I am struggling to focus everything. There is someone else here other than the kidnappers. I found them familiar. Yes, Lily's family. I only know her parents, i never saw her brother. I think he is also with them. Her parents are busy in arguing but her brother... He was looking at me. I saw his trembling hands as he watched me eventhough my vision is blurry i can still see it.I think Lily saw her brother too. "Love my brother"she whispered against my ear.

"Eliza... " her brother shouted.That's all i heard. Someone suddenly held my neck and chocked me. I couldn't fight back, i was too weak.

"Isn't she your daughter too?" Their boss bellowed, his voice like thunder. "No," her mom replied, the word slicing through the air like a knife. The man holding me released his grip, and I stumbled forward. "What? She even gave her own life for your daughter," he laughed maniacally. "Your daughter is lucky to have a friend like her. She is the reason your daughter is still alive," he said, his words dripping with venom. Then, with a sneer, he raised his gun and pulled the trigger, shooting both me and Lily at the same time. A searing pain ripped through me as the bullet tore into my body.Now i am completely covered in blood. I don't care about me. I scrawled towards lily. She was shot in a side of her stomach as for me in the side of chest. I can't survive but she can. That was the only injury she have but it's still dangerous. Her mom and dad ran towards lily. I was relieved because someone is there to save her. I slowly closed my eyes, the weight of my body surrendering to the cold floor. A gentle tug pulled me closer, and a soft whisper tickled my ear – "Eliza..." The voice was familiar, and I thought it might be her brother. He kept calling my name, his tone laced with desperation. I forced my eyes open, but his face was a blur. I blinked repeatedly, trying to clear my vision. As my gaze focused, I saw him pulling me close to his chest, his body trembling with sobs. "Help her, please," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "She's been sent to the hospital," he replied, his voice cracking with emotion. "Why do you still care, Eliza? You're injured worse than her," he shouted, tears streaming down his face. "Please, let's go to the hospital," he begged, his grip on me tightening. I shook my head weakly, a faint smile on my lips. That's just how I am – always putting others before myself, no matter the cost.

He scooped me up in his arms and sprinted towards his car, his footsteps pounding the ground. "Leave me, please. Don't mind me," I whispered weakly, my voice barely audible. He ignored my plea, gently placing me in the front seat and buckling my seatbelt. As he leaned in, I looked up at him, my gaze locking onto his. "I will," he said softly, his eyes filled with determination, before closing the door. I rested my head against the seat, my body numb and unresponsive. The sound of the driver's door opening and closing was followed by the roar of the engine, and we sped off. The motion of the car was soothing, and I slowly closed my eyes, my consciousness slipping away.

It's all my fault. If i haven't called her for the celebration, she wouldn't have ended up like this. If i haven't accepted her request to escape, she wouldn't have shot. If i had died right then, i wouldn't have been a burden to his humanity.It's all because of me.