SURVIVING

EN'

, its cold, unforgiving walls a constant reminder of everything I wanted to escape. But before I could even take a bre

n't hold it

release of everything I had bottled up. All the fear, all

I hate this life. I hate what we're doing. I ha

. It was like she knew something I didn't, something that made her hesitant t

in her voice that made me pause. "I need t

lear the blur of tears. "What i

alking away, his eyes still cold, like he

mething," Poppy continued, her voice d

how to react. Was she serious? I pulled back slightly, staring a

something determined, something fierce. "We've been saving up. Fabio's been pu

ally escape? Was it possible? My thoughts were swirling, but I couldn't stop myself from

y accepted. "We've been working with some people-trusted contacts. Fabio's got enough saved up, an

Could we actually leave? The idea of it felt so far out of reach, but then again, wasn't that the p

isn't about him anymore. This is about us, Ren. We're not just running away. We're breaking

ight of it all crashing over me. "Po

smile. "I know we can. We're in

lickered inside me. Maybe there was a way out. Maybe there was somet

se from the hallway. My stomach sank as Terzo's

We need

he storm. Poppy's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I could see the same fear in

out. Just remember-we

king toward something I wasn't ready for, but I

passing between us. A promise that I wasn't alone

t shake the feeling that everything was about to

had

ntation with Terzo. The door to his office looms ahead, and I can't shake the anxiety twi

ave spoken to

up or kill you-and I know I shouldn't have let my anger out like that. It felt good

utside t

ext. When the door opens, Terzo stands there, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips, the smoke curling around him like a clo

licks shut

e a blade. I hesitate but take the seat across from him, trying

s he watches me. There's something almost casual about his demean

most too calm, making it all the more dangerous. "You for

shing to my face. I open my mouth, but the words

apologize, but I know I have no choice. Terzo doesn't give a damn about how I fee

something dangerous behind them. B

ans back in his chair, but I can feel the weight of his gaze

s said his piece, and now, he'll move on. I don't want to give him

and leave his office, the d

my chest. A matter of time, I think to myself, before we leave this place. I hold onto

s plan works out. For their

room, lost in thought, a voi

, you a

ree

x

His eyes are soft with concern, and I can't help but feel a flicker of annoyance. Wh

aze. I don't owe him an explanation, not aft

a small tablet, white with a faint blue glow. "Here," he says, holding i

s too late. He's already pressing it into my hand. The tablet feels cool ag

turn away. "Thanks," I mutter, though it feels

that lingers in my mind as I

g back to my room, but the weight of his con

s sympathy. Not

waves against the shore was the only sound, aside from the occasional rustle of leaves in the night breez

, and I couldn't help but smile. Their love felt so... real, so pure in a world where everything else was a lie. I watched them for a moment, happy for the

me. Tonight was about them. A

said, his voice low but steady as he looked

the moonlight. "But we'll get out, I promise. Just a

I wanted to believe that there was hope, that they could actually escape this h

hem. They turned their attention to me, and I noticed the way Fabio's arm naturally pulled Poppy

ng about somewhere far. Somewhere that'll make it harder for anyone t

n a place so far away felt both exciting and

oth. "You're not the only ones risking everything. If w

and on the ground between us. "We've got this, Seren. You

ove a whisper. "But it's not just about runnin

e each other. And we'll have the money. We'll make it work,

e fear of it not working gnawed at me. The life we were living-the one Terzo controlled-w

er under the moon. For a moment, it felt like we could be anywhere. A quiet li

p but wish for it. Fo

g the silence again. "We'll get out. But w

on Fabio's shoulder, her hand

a strange mix of hope and

didn't do everything I could to make sure i