Chapter 135: Echoes of the Past
Mira’s heart raced uncontrollably, each beat echoing like a drum in her chest. A part of her felt a flicker of relief knowing that Zamian was there—at least she wouldn’t face this danger alone. But that was the problem. She had never expected to hear that name again. Zack.
The name sent a cold shiver down her spine, awakening memories she had spent years trying to bury. Memories of the incident that had left an indelible scar on her heart. She shuddered as her mind conjured images of the past, the trauma too vivid. What would have happened if Zamian hadn’t arrived when he did? Would she still be here? She couldn’t bear the thought. The idea of being alone, vulnerable, was something she refused to imagine. She shook her head violently, trying to push the images away.
Before she could even begin to process what was happening, the car jerked, and Mira felt the brakes slam down, the tires screeching as it slowed down abruptly. Her body was thrust forward in her seat, her breath catching in her throat. Just as she turned to Zamian, the car lurched again, spinning sharply, then reversing at full speed. The sudden movement jolted her in her seat, her hands gripping the door handle instinctively. She could feel her pulse pounding in her neck as her senses went into overdrive.
"Shit," Zamian muttered, his voice low and strained with tension, his hands tight on the wheel.
Mira could feel the frustration emanating from him. She had never seen him like this before. Zamian was usually the picture of calm, always measured in his actions, his voice cool and controlled. But now, his words came out in rapid bursts, urgent and clipped.
"Mira, cover your ears. Shut your eyes. Now," he commanded, his tone demanding obedience.
Her body responded before her mind could process the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, Mira squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her hands over her ears, her trembling fingers betraying her fear. The air was thick with tension, her breath coming in shallow gasps as the unmistakable sound of gunshots rang through the night, tearing through the silence with a deafening crack. Even though her hands were tightly pressed against her ears, the sound still penetrated, vibrating through her entire body.
Another gunshot. Then another. Mira’s body trembled, the fear tightening around her chest like a vice. Zamian cursed again, his frustration barely contained. His low growls of irritation mixed with the chaos outside. Mira felt the car swerve again, the tires screeching as Zamian steered sharply to the side. Every movement felt too fast, too sharp, as though they were racing against something that could destroy them both.
His voice broke through the storm of sounds outside. He sounded more like a different man now, one Mira wasn’t used to hearing. His voice softened, but the urgency didn’t fade.