Chapter 8

Outside the burning cabin, Lucas's friends shrieked with excitement at the

growing inferno, wildly snapping photos and videos on their phones like it was a concert finale.

"Holy shit, revenge ninety-nine is going to be LEGENDARY!" Tyler howled, capturing an Instagram story of the flames.

"Finally, Lucas can banish that clingy bitch and move on with his life!" Blake slapped his knee, grinning maniacally.

"When we 'rescue' her, I'm going to record her ugly-crying face and blast it all over TikTok. Let the whole fucking territory see what a pathetic mess she really is!” Josh laughed, already planning his caption.

The hellish red glow illuminated their faces like demons at a bonfire, casting long, distorted shadows behind them.

Standing slightly apart from the group, Lucas listened to their callous banter with growing discomfort. Something felt deeply wrong.

His mind kept replaying Aria's face from moments earlier-that strange, peaceful expression. Those words that now seemed so final.

Wait-she'd been abnormally calm, hadn't she?

Every previous anniversary, Aria had practically vibrated with excitement. She'd plan for weeks, creating Pinterest boards, texting him countdown updates, handling every detail personally with almost manic enthusiasm.

Lucas had always been happy to let her take over. Why waste effort on someone who was just a means to an end? He'd even internally justified his coldness-if she hadn't humiliated Leila, she wouldn't be with him anyway.

But tonight had been completely different. Aria had been unsettlingly quiet.

During the entire drive, she'd sat silently beside him, no nervous chatter, no excited questions.

Beyond those haunting final words, she hadn't once asked about his "surprise." She'd been like a marionette with cut strings-compliant, empty, resigned.

16:38

Chapter 8

he thought about it-he'd been gone nearly twenty minutes, the fire had

realization hit him like a bucket of

over and over, desperation growing with each swipe. No calls. No texts, No

heart hammered against his ribs as

Orange and red tongues

life flashed through his mind-her laughter echoing in their den, the way she'd leave little

move, he bolted

are you going?" Derek shouted, as the group

deafening explosion ripped through the night, the concussive force knocking

BOOM!

roof of the

and debris spiraling into the black sky. The

celebration to genuine horror in

wasn't supposed to happen!" Blake yelled,

of secondary explosions followed, one after another. The sound was

shattered. Burning chunks of wood and concrete rained

consumed by a single thought: she was still inside

16.39

Chapter 8

inferno.

by his friends. "You'll fucking die if you go in there!" Tyler

be okay," Josh stammered, no trace of his earlier cruelty.

him-could imagine her trapped, choking, terrified. Every memory of her kindness, her love that he'd taken for granted, crashed over him in a tidal wave of

began to push through his fingertips, throwing his friends aside with strength born of pure adrenaline, launching

flames.

"LUCAS, STOP!"

BOOM!

in all directions. The roar of the fire grew deafening, drowning out everything but the hammering of his own

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