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“The authorities are conducting a citywide search, but so far, there is no sign of him. Rose is considered dangerous, and anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.”
The words echoed in my head as I gripped the counter for support. Adrian had escaped. He was out there, free, and I knew exactly who he’d come for.
I abandoned the sandwich and coffee, my legs moving before my mind could catch up. The halls of the hospital blurred as I raced back to Hans’s room. My heart pounded as I burst through the door, startling the bodyguards stationed outside.
“Keep close!” I barked, my voice trembling. “We’re leaving. Get Hans ready to be transported back to the estate.
Now!”
The guards exchanged confused looks but nodded, immediately moving to secure the area.
Hans lay motionless in the hospital bed, his face pale but peaceful. I stood by him, my hands trembling as reached for his. “I should’ve thought of this earlier,” I whispered, my voice thick with guilt. “I didn’t think Adrian would stoop so low as to escape prison, but I should have known better. We’re not safe here.”
I turned to the doctor as she entered, clearly concerned by the commotion. “We need to move him,” I said
urgently. “He can recover at the estate. Is he stable enough to be transported?”
The doctor hesitated. “Moving him right now isn’t ideal, but if you believe his safety is at risk-*
“I do,” I interrupted. “Please, just clear us to leave. We’ll have medical staff at the estate.”
Reluctantly, the doctor nodded. Within the hour, Hans was discharged, and the bodyguards had the van ready
to take us back. The tension in the air was suffocating, and I couldn’t stop glancing out the windows, half expecting Adrian to appear out of nowhere.
Suddenly, the van lurched to a stop, throwing me forward.
“What’s going on?” I demanded, clutching the edge of my seat.
Before the driver could respond, a gunshot rang out, piercing the silence.
“Stay inside!” one of the guards shouted, “We’re under attack!”
I clutched Hans’s hand, my heart racing as the chaos outside escalated. More gunshots followed, and I could hear the guards shouting orders, their voices strained.
“They’re hitmen,” one of the guards said grimly “They want her. Don’t let them near the van!”
Through the windows, I could see the guards falling one by one, the hitmen moving with terrifying precision. My stomach twisted in fear as I realized the bodyguards were losing.
“Please, wake up, Hans,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I looked at his unconscious face. “I need you.” The van shook violently as someone pounded on the doors. The sound of metal scraping against metal sent chills down my spine.
“Open up!” a voice barked from outside. “If you don’t, we’ll make sure you never get out of here alive!”
I curled into myself, holding Hans tightly as tears streamed down my face. “This can’t be happening,“I murmured, panic threatening to consume me.
The pounding grew louder, more insistent. The hitmen were trying to force the doors open. And I had no one with me now but only Hans. All of them were dead–I can’t believe this
This must be Adrian. But how? Where did he get these hitmen?
My breath hitched as the doors creaked, the locks straining under the pressure. I clung to Hans, my mind racing for a way out
“Please, someone, help us,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
1:45 AM
Jos Late
Just as the lock gave way and the doors began to open, a low groan came from beside me.
My head snapped to Hans, disbelief washing over me as his fingers twitched.
“Hans?” I whispered, hope surging through me.
His eyes fluttered open. He winced, struggling to sit up.
“What’s… going on?” he rasped, his voice hoarse.
“Hitmen,” I choked out, my words tumbling over each other. “They’re outside–they killed everyone–they’re trying
to get in!”
Hans’s gaze hardened, his strength seemingly returning despite his weakened state. “Stay down,” he ordered, his voice stronger now.
With a sharp movement, he reached for the driver’s seat, pulling himself forward. Before I could fully process what was happening, he slammed his foot on the gas pedal.
The van roared to life, lurching forward as the hitmen were thrown off balance. The doors slammed shut from the momentum, and I clung to the seat, my heart pounding. The van barreled through the chaos, leaving the hitmen scrambling in its wake.
I stared at him in awe, my fear momentarily forgotten. “You’re awake,” I breathed.
He glanced at me briefly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Took me long enough, huh?”
Relief flooded through me, but I knew the danger wasn’t over yet. Adrian’s reach was vast, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
But for now, Hans was alive, and we were safe. That was all that mattered.
