No Strings Attached

He clutched her wrist, the one that wielded the remote control, like a modern-day scepter.

As they tumbled down the slope, lan twisted with all his might, snapping Victoria's wrist. She screamed in agony, the remote slipping from her grasp. Their descent accelerated, and soon they vanished from view. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

A deafening explosion echoed from below.

Clara, sprawled at the cliff's edge, roared into the abyss, "lan!" Only echoes answered her call, accompanied by the rising plumes of thick smoke.

Clara's fingers clawed into the earth, nails splitting, bleeding, unaware as the pain inside dwarfed any physical wound. She lay there, boneless, lan's name a litany on her lips, tears tracing unnoticed paths down her cheeks.

are on their way down. I have faith Mr. Hayes

his arms.

through the fog that began to cloak the land, hindering the

Suddenly, a jacket draped over her shoulders. Ryker's deep voice reached her ears. "Clara, please wait in the car. I've brought my squad. They'll find lan.' Her cracked

swollen, tearful eyes, Ryker's heart clenched. He gave her a reassuring pat. "Don't worry, he's tougher than nails. He won't go down without

he and his team plunged into the

fireflies, drifted through the foggy valley. The underbrush made the

Victoria's... remains. No sign of lan, which means he likely

vacant eyes. She wiped away

and wait in the car. Ian