Meanwhile, Travier was running. His eyes darted frantically through the crowds, scanning every direction. He replayed her face in his mind—the way she turned from him, the hurt in her silence. Each second she was out of his sight made the guilt in his chest twist deeper.
"Saphirra!" he called, his voice swallowed by the noise of the rides and chatter. He pushed through groups of laughing couples, his heart pounding. Please... please don't let me be too late.
======================
Saphirra stood again, wiping at her eyes, deciding to head back toward the main gate to find a cab. But as she turned down a narrow pathway, three men stepped out from the shadows. Their eyes glinted under the weak park lights, their grins unsettling.
"Well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, blocking her path.
Another leaned closer, his gaze sharp and unkind. "A pretty girl like you shouldn't be alone. Why don't you keep us company?"
Fear shot through Saphirra's chest. She took a step back, clutching her bear tighter. "W-What do you want?" Saphirra asked, her voice steady yet deep inside. She felt scared, "Please... I don't want any trouble."
The third man chuckled darkly. "Trouble? Oh, sweetheart, we're just having fun." They closed in, surrounding her, cutting off her escape.
"Don't worry, we won't hurt you... All you have to do is listen," The man said, which they snickered at, looking at her up and down like prey.
Saphirra's heart hammered as she backed against the wall of the closed concession stand. Her voice trembled. "Stay away from me!"
Just as one of them reached for her arm—
"SAPHIRRA!"
Travier's voice tore through the night like a blade. He sprinted down the path, his chest burning with fury. For the first time that evening, every ounce of hesitation vanished. There was no guilt, no distraction, no pull toward anyone else. Only one thing filled his world: protecting her.
Travier's shout made the men pause, their smug expressions flickering with surprise. But the moment passed quickly, and the one closest to Saphirra smirked.
"And who's this? The boyfriend?"
Travier's eyes blazed. "Her husband." His voice was low, controlled—but laced with fury. "And the last mistake you'll ever make is touching her."
The men laughed, circling him. "Big talk for a pretty boy."
One lunged first, swinging a fist. Travier blocked and shoved him hard to the ground, then spun to catch another by the collar and rammed him against the concession stand. The crack of impact echoed.
"Run, Saphirra!" Travier shouted, but she couldn't. Her legs felt like stone, fear rooting her in place, her blood ran cold when she saw a few bloods.
Saphirra stood frozen, her fear of blood sent a shiver down her spine, before she snapped back to reality.
The third man rushed from behind, but Travier turned just in time, slamming his elbow into the guy's face. The man staggered, blood trickling from his nose.
"Bastard!" one of them growled, pulling something from his pocket. Saphirra's heart dropped when she saw it—a small knife glinting under the weak lights.
"Travier!" she screamed.
But it was too late. In the chaos, the man thrust forward, and the blade sank into Travier's side.
Saphirra's scream tore through the night. "NO!"
Travier's body jerked, pain shooting through him like fire—but his eyes never wavered. He grabbed the man's wrist, yanked the blade free with a grimace, and with sheer force, slammed the hilt across the attacker's temple. The man crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
The other two, seeing their friend knocked out despite the knife wound, hesitated. Travier stepped forward, blood staining his shirt, his jaw set like stone. "Try me again," he growled.
They faltered, exchanging a look—then bolted into the shadows, leaving their companion behind.
The sudden silence rang in Saphirra's ears. She stumbled forward, tears streaming, and dropped to her knees beside him.
"Travier—you're hurt, you're bleeding..." Her hands trembled as she reached for his side, afraid to even touch him. Her whole body shook like a leaf caught in the wind.
But Travier, chest heaving, tossed the knife away and crouched down to her level. He cupped her face gently, ignoring the blood soaking through his shirt. His voice, though ragged, was steady.
"Hey... look at me. I'm fine. You're safe. That's all that matters."
Her sobs broke harder at his words. She pressed her forehead against his shoulder, her tears mixing with the warmth of his blood. "You scared me—I thought—I thought I was going to lose you!"
Travier winced but pulled her tighter into his arms, whispering into her hair. "You'll never lose me, Saphirra. Never."