"They'll never touch you again. I swear." My words are not a promise, they are a sentence.
But before I can say anything more, a sharp pain pierces my back. A burning pain paralyzes me. I turn, staggering, and there he is: the man I thought was neutralized, standing there, his face slick with sweat and smeared with blood, and a knife still in his hand. He smiles a twisted smile, as if relishing the chaos.
I try to step back, to protect her, but my body doesn't respond.
Then, the lights.
Bright flashes light up the area like a burst of hope. Security vehicles encircle the clearing, and armed men storm in with military precision. In seconds, the attacker is subdued. His screams are cut off by the dull thud of a rifle butt. The chaos begins to dissipate.
"Dominic!" Susy's voice reaches m
