"Don''t let her get away!" The leader''s roar sounded behind me filled with undeniable authority and urgency, but I knew this was myst chance.


    I rushed into the bedroom and flung myself toward the window. Using all my strength, I pushed the heavy window open.


    A st of cold air hit my face and momentarily wiped away my fear and exhaustion.


    Ast hesitated briefly and tumed to make a cun for it, someone grabbed my cor from behind.


    "Let me go!" I screamed and struggled violently, but the grip was too strong and almost pulled me back inside.


    In that desperate moment, I swung my trait knife wildly and managed to sh the attacker''s arm though I didn''tnd a direct hit. There was a bloody gash on hisN?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    He had


    to let go, and I took the chance to slip from his grip. I hang myself out the window with my body suspended in midair,


    "Jump!" I screamed inwardly and licked against the wall with all my strength. That momentum gave me the force needed to leap out into the night. I shut my eyes and felt the relief of escape and terror of the unknown.


    The wind howled in my ears, but I couldn''t afford to think of anything except getting away from that dangerous ce.


    [crashed heavily onto thewn, and pain exploded through my body. But there was no time to dwell on it. I scrambled to my feet and ran tar into the distance.


    I sprinted through the alleys relying on my vague memory and tried to stay away from any bystanders who might cause trouble.


    1 had no idea how long I ran until my legs gave away. I finally allowed myself to stop and copse against theer of a building, gasping for breath.


    But the men had long discovered my intent and tracked me down. Their figures appeared ahead of me as they announced, "You can''t escape this time!" My heart sank. The darless around me seemed to solidity and push down on me with such weight that I could barely breathe. Clutching the fruit de tightly, I scanned the group and desperately searched for


    They were many, well-trained and organized. I was alone,ered, and out of options.


    raway out, but the reality of the situation struck me


    "stay back! I''m warning you!" My voice shook, but I forced myself to stay as calm as I could hoping to scare them off. But they were unfazed and closed in step by step to tighten the circle around me


    Suddenly, ablinding light came into the darkness aer down the street. A van screeched to a halt before several men jumped out wielding baseball bats. T yes food fencely on me.


    "Wait!" A drepmanding voice broke themotion and froze everyone in ce.


    Their


    The door to the van swung opin, and a man in in clothes stepped out with long strides. His eyes had a mix of emotions as he swept the scene before settling on "You shouldn''t have gotten involved, but now there''s no way out for you."