CHAPTER 36: BURNING BRIDGES, BRAKING CHAINS,

Scene: Underground Cell – Unknown Location

Mek's body hurt.

His wrists were raw. Blood smeared across his cheek. His lips cracked from dehydration.

But something else… something burned harder than the pain.

> Pete.

His memories of Pete—his warmth, his arms, his damn annoyingly perfect voice whispering "I'm not letting go"—that's what kept him breathing.

Then he saw it.

A single nail sticking out from the wall.

Rusty. Sharp. Perfect.

He dragged himself across the floor, biting down a scream.

Lifted his bound wrists… and started sawing.

One movement.

Then another.

Blood.

Tears.

Whispers.

> "Wait for me, Pete… I'll come home… I promise…"

---

Scene: Pete's Penthouse – HOURS After Mek's Disappearance

Pete hadn't slept.

His hair was messy. His eyes—bloodshot, manic, terrifying.

The ring still sat on the table. Unworn. Waiting.

His father entered the room like he owned it.

> "Let it go," he said coldly. "You can have anyone. Not him."

Pete didn't even blink.

He just grabbed a gun from the drawer and slammed it on the desk.

> "Say his name again," Pete growled, "and I'll put a bullet through your f*cking empire."

His father smirked. "You won't shoot blood."

Pete's laugh was bitter. Hollow.

> "I won't shoot blood… but I'll burn every legacy you've built to ash."

Then, softly. A whisper.

> "You touched what's mine, Father.

And now… you'll see what kind of monster you created."

---

Scene: Mek – ESCAPE MODE UNLOCKED

One wrist—free.

One guard—distracted.

Mek lunged.

Grabbed the tray.

SLAMMED it into the man's head.

Grabbed the keys.

Ran like hell.

Sirens blared.

But he didn't stop.

Not when they shouted.

Not when bullets grazed his arm.

Not when pain screamed.

He just kept saying—

> "Pete. Pete. Pete."

---

Scene: Cliffside Road – Midnight

Pete's car tore through the night like a beast.

His phone pinged—location update. Mek's watch reactivated.

He swerved the wheel. Ignored every rule. Every red light.

Then—through the dark—he saw him.

Mek. Running. Barefoot. Bleeding. Crying. Alive.

Pete stopped the car so hard it screeched.

Jumped out. Sprinting.

> "MEK!!"

Mek froze, turned—eyes wide. Then collapsed.

Pete caught him just in time, both falling to their knees.

Blood. Dirt. Rain.

Pete cradled him like glass.

> "I got you, baby. I got you. I'm here—"

"No one's taking you from me again."

Mek whispered, weakly—

> "I broke out… for you…"

Pete kissed his forehead, lips trembling.

> "You don't ever need to fight alone again. Never. Not while I'm breathing."