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Chapter 97

Her heart skipped a beat when something hard was pressed into her back. It was the unmistakable barrel of a gun.

“Don’t move,” a deep voice hissed behind her. It was the voice of a man. “You’re going to come with me without making a sound. Is that clear?”

Thalassa’s heart raced, but she forced herself to remain calm. “And if I don’t?”

The man made a choking sound in his throat, as if he hadn’t expected her to talk back. “Then you won’t see tomorrow. Isn’t that clear enough?”

Oh, it was quite clear, but Thalassa knew she couldn’t panic. She needed to keep her cool.

“You really don’t want to do this,” she said evenly, her voice betraying none of the fear she felt. “Think about what you’re trying to-”

“Shut up,” the man hissed, pushing the gun harder against her spine. “Just move. Right now.”

Thalassa took a slow step forward, her mind whirling. She needed to buy some time, to figure out a way to get out of this. The man’s hand was trembling slightly against her back, and she could feel his erratic breath on her neck.

Suddenly, a voice called out. “Hey! What the fuck? Let her go, now!”

Clark. Relief flooded her, but it was quickly replaced by a fresh wave of anxiety. If they weren’t careful, this could go very badly.

“Stay back!” the masked man shouted, his voice cracking with panic. “Stay back, or I swear I’ll shoot her!”

The gun moved from her spine, the barrel now resting on her temple. Just a pull of the trigger, and she would be dead. Still, Thalassa took a deep breath to calm herself.

Clark tried to step forward, but the man warned again, “I said stay back! Do you want her to die?”

“Clark, listen to him,” Thalassa said calmly. “Just stay back.”

Clark held his hands up cautiously. “Okay, okay. Easy. Look, man, I don’t know what this is about, but whatever you’re after, I can get it for you. Money, right? I can pay you–whatever you want.”

he didn’t move. There was a brief silence, and then he laughed–a short, cold sound that sent a

said it set off alarms in Thalassa’s mind, making her realize that this wasn’t a random mugging

mind: lying helplessly on the cold ground of that alley, which reeked so much of piss and other indescribable stenches,

through her veins. Without warning, she spun around, using her elbow to jab

his hand. It hit the ground with a heavy

her voice cold and steady.

“Speak!” Thalassa commanded.

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Chapter 97

when the man’s free hand darted to his belt,

Clark shouted, rushing forward.

second, and in that moment, the man lunged at her with the blade. But before he could strike, Clark shoved her out of the way, placing himself in the path

piercing through skin echoed through the air before Clark let out a groan of

you last night, but you didn’t

mood to talk to anyone. Before she could come up with an

about it. I know you

did you call, Clark?” Thalassa

I just wanted to see if you were up for getting

stiffened. She could sense the hope in his voice, and that was something she wanted to prevent from

sorry, Clark. But like you said, I’m very busy with everything that has to do with the upcoming

“No problem,

said noncommittally before hanging

and Thalassa nodded. “He asked you out for dinner, didn’t

to accept? Didn’t you say last time

still think he is. But also realize that spending some time with him always makes you a little less tense and more light–hearted, and we can both agree that you need that right now

want him getting any ideas. You know I don’t plan to ever

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