The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 13

For a moment, my ears seemed to lose all function–everything around me fell into deafening silence.

It felt as if a scalding giant hand had slammed me into the ground.

I coughed up a mouthful of blood, my internal organs seemingly displaced by the impact.

Thick smoke billowed into the air, obscuring everything in sight.

Something warm trickled down my face.

I reached up to touch it, and my palm came away smeared with blood.

Joseph had been thrown by the explosion, lying sprawled not far from me.

I tried to get up, but my legs refused to support me.

With trembling hands, I crawled toward him, my knees scraping against the rough ground.

Reaching him, I checked for breath, praying desperately.

Thankfully, he was still alive.

Gunshots echoed again, faint but approaching fast.

Fighting against panic, I hoisted Joseph onto my back, staggering to my feet.

I stumbled forward, but armed men were everywhere, their shadows looming menacingly.

Forced to change course, I turned and plunged deeper into the forest.

I had no idea how long I ran. My legs gradually numbed until I could no longer feel them.

Finally, my strength gave out, and I collapsed to the ground.

It was then that Joseph stirred.

He struggled weakly, attempting to rise but finding himself unable to move.

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Bride of

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Chapter 13

faint yet urgent.

leave me. Go!”

my face as I sobbed uncontrollably, shaking

We leave together! Both of us!”

ankle, his

carry us

hard that

promised each other! You can’t lie to me!

will never forgive you!”

S

tugged at his lips, only to be interrupted by a coughing fit that

“I’m not lying…

“Liars… are puppies…”

forced myself to stand, dragging him to lean against

face,

hand, his gaze steady but

you won’t let me die,

tears blurring my vision.

for me! I’ll come back for

be okay–I promise!”

smiled faintly again and

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Bride of

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Chapter 13

“Alright.”

before I could take more than a

air.

powerful force slammed into me,

spread across my shoulder, leaving me

I’d been shot.

head, only to see Joseph collapsing onto me.

a gaping wound in his chest, soaking his white coat

pain in my own shoulder, I flipped him over, hands shaking as I pressed down on his wound.