The gunshot echoed in my ears, leaving a ringing that refused to fade. Adrenaline sharpened every sense. Iris pressed herself against me, trembling, her body nearly burning against mine.
I scanned the garage. Shadows shifted along the far wall. The intruder had vanished, leaving only the echo of their footsteps and the word "REMEMBER" burned into my mind.
I didn't know who they were yet—but I knew one thing for certain: the past I thought was gone… was coming for us.
Iris's small hand found mine. Her fingers were cold, shaking. I didn't pull away. I couldn't.
"You should run," she whispered, voice quivering. "I can't… I shouldn't—"
"Shut up," I cut her off, gripping her arm firmly. "I'm not letting you go anywhere. Not now. Not ever."
Her eyes widened, startled by the intensity of my words. And in that instant, the air between us shifted. For a moment, it wasn't fear or danger—it was something raw, something unspoken.
Desire.
Iris swallowed hard. "You… you mean that?"
I didn't answer. I didn't have to. My hand brushed against hers again, lingering this time. The warmth of her skin was like a spark in the darkness. I wanted to touch her, to hold her close, to tell her she was safe—but words were weak. Actions… would have to be enough.
Before anything else could happen, my phone buzzed. I glanced at it. No name, just a single message:
"She's remembering. Stop him or die."
I clenched my jaw. Whoever was behind this wasn't just testing me—they were orchestrating every move. And Iris was the prize.
I took a deep breath. I had to think. Strategize. Protect her. The problem was simple: I wasn't just fighting enemies outside. I was fighting my own past, memories I'd buried, truths I wasn't ready to face.
And Iris… she held pieces of me I didn't even know were missing.
I led her to the back of the garage, to an old service elevator that hadn't been used in years. It would buy us time. But it wasn't safe—not really.
Once inside, I turned to her. Her dark eyes searched mine. "Why… why am I even here? Why do you care?"
I swallowed hard. The truth was dangerous. She didn't need to know everything yet, but she deserved a sliver. "Because you matter. More than I thought anyone could. More than I thought I could let anyone matter."
Her lips parted, a soft exhale escaping. I wanted to kiss her—to close the distance between us—but the moment passed. A sudden metallic click echoed in the elevator. I froze.
The doors hadn't fully closed. Someone was already inside.
Before I could react, a figure lunged at me, knocking me against the wall. Pain shot through my shoulder, sharp, blinding. I twisted, my gun sliding into my hand instinctively. The attacker froze for a second—enough for me to take aim.
But then… I stopped.
I stared into the face of the man who had thrown me. And my blood ran cold.
It was him. My older brother. Or at least, the man I had believed was dead.
He smirked, holding his gun loosely. "Hello, Ethan. Miss me?"
Iris gasped behind me. She stepped forward, confusion and fear blending in her gaze.
"This… can't be real," I muttered under my breath.
But it was. My brother was alive. And judging by the cold smile, he hadn't returned for a reunion.
"Why are you here?" I demanded, voice low and deadly. "What do you want?"
He leaned closer, eyes glinting. "The same thing you always wanted, little brother. Answers. And… her."
Iris froze. My chest tightened. Protecting her had never been optional, but now… the stakes had just skyrocketed.
I realized something terrifying: everyone I thought I could trust had disappeared. Everyone I believed was gone… was part of this web.
And the only way to survive? Keep Iris alive. At all costs.
I didn't notice my hands trembling until she touched my shoulder. "Ethan… you're shaking."
I clenched my fists, swallowing down the surge of emotion I didn't have time to process. Anger, fear, desire… all tangled together. "I'm not shaking," I said, voice sharp. "I'm preparing. And if anyone touches you—"
My words were cut off by the sudden sound of the elevator doors slamming shut. Someone—or multiple people—had trapped us.
I pulled Iris close. My forehead rested against hers for a brief, dangerous second. "Stay behind me. No matter what."
She nodded, trembling, but I saw determination spark in her eyes. She wasn't helpless. Not anymore.
And then the lights went out.
Complete darkness.
I heard breathing—multiple sets. Close. Surrounding us. I knew instantly: we were not walking out alive. Not without a fight.
Iris whispered, almost a prayer, "Ethan…"
I pressed my lips to her temple, a fleeting touch that burned hotter than fire. "Stay with me," I whispered back. "I'll keep you alive. I swear it."
The first hand lunged in the darkness.
And the fight for our lives—together—began.