Way back in the house, I saw Dr. Reyes there. The air inside the house felt heavier than usual.
I sat on the couch, Axel playing with his toy cars on the floor, while Dr. Reyes paced back and forth. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her usually calm demeanor was slipping.
“He found me." I said.
"Tyron has found you," she finally said, her voice tense.
A cold shiver crawled down my spine. I had spent the past five years running—changing cities, using fake names, avoiding crowded places. But deep down, I knew it was only a matter of time before he caught up.
I clutched Axel tightly, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. "What do we do?"
Dr. Reyes exhaled sharply. "We need to leave. My house is safer. I have security, cameras, reinforced doors—he won’t get to you there."
Desperation made me trust her. Without hesitation, I packed our things and drove with her through the night, hoping, praying that this time, we could truly escape.
The house was large, hidden behind thick gates, surrounded by trees that made it nearly invisible from the road. It was too perfect, too secure. But I was exhausted. I convinced myself that maybe, for once, I had found a real sanctuary.
Weeks passed. Axel adjusted quickly, laughing more, playing outside without fear. It almost felt normal. But Dr. Reyes had questions.
"Gabbi, why is Tyron after you?" she asked one evening.
One more thing, I didn't told her anything. I kept quiet.
I swallowed hard, dodging her gaze. "It’s complicated."
"And why do you keep running?"
Because the father of my child is a monster. Because if he finds Axel, he will take him from me. Because I’m still afraid of the man I once loved.
“Tyron—he wants me dead for no apparent reason."
“Why?"
But I couldn’t say those words. So I just forced a smile and said, "It’s better if you don’t know."
She didn’t push. But I saw the worry in her eyes, and something about it unsettled me.
After a few days, Axel’s fifth birthday arrived, and I wanted to give him something he’d never had—a celebration. A real one.
We decorated the backyard with balloons, set up a small table with food, and invited a few children from the neighborhood. Their laughter echoed in the air, filling me with warmth I hadn’t felt in years.
For a moment, I let my guard down.
For a moment, I allowed myself to be happy.
Then—
Bang!
The first gunshot rang through the air.
Screams followed.
The balloons popped in rapid succession, but it wasn’t the wind—it was bullets tearing through them. Through flesh. Through bone.
Children collapsed. Blood splattered across the grass.
Axel screamed, running to me, his small hands grabbing my dress in terror. I pulled him close, shielding him, my mind spinning in panic.
Dr. Reyes yanked my arm. "Gabbi, go! Take Axel and run!"
I was frozen. "What’s happening? Who are they?!"
"Tyron’s men for sure."
I gasped, my blood turning to ice. He had found us. Again.
Dr. Reyes shoved car keys into my hand. "Take him and drive!"
But my body wouldn’t move.
I turned to her, my voice shaking. "W-Why? Why are you helping me?"
Her face twisted with hesitation. "Because…" She exhaled shakily, then whispered, "You’re my daughter."
The words crashed over me like a tidal wave.
I staggered back. "W-What are you saying?"
Dr. Reyes’ eyes glistened. "I s-suspected it for years. After I met you, I secretly ran a DNA test. And it was true. Your father—the man who raised you—he wasn’t your real father."
My knees buckled. My mind refused to process it.
But there was no time for answers.
More gunfire erupted.
Dr. Reyes turned, pulling out a gun from her coat. "Run, Gabbi! Take Axel!"
But I couldn’t. Not when I saw the red bloom on her chest.
Not when I watched her stumble, her knees hitting the ground.
"Doctor!" I screamed.
Her lips curved into the faintest smile. "Go," she whispered.
But before I could take a step—
A piercing cry came from behind me.
"Mommy!" Axel’s voice was shrill, filled with terror.
I spun around—
Something hard slammed against the back of my head.
Pain exploded. My vision blurred.
The last thing I saw was Axel’s tear-streaked face before everything went dark.
