CHAPTER 431: CHAPTER 431 HELP

"Oh no..." Karl’s voice cracked as he froze, his wide eyes locked on the gun glinting in Lex’s hand. His chest heaved with panic, and every muscle in his body went stiff.

Kaelan, however, didn’t flinch. His eyes narrowed into sharp slits, glaring at her with cold fury.

Lex leaned halfway out of the window, her face twisted in rage. "Did you really think you could escape me?!" she spat, her voice echoing across the empty space. "You worthless ghosts! I’ll paint the road with your blood before I ever let you leave!"

Bang! The shot rang out, the sound slicing through the night. Karl stood frozen, too slow to move, but Kaelan’s body surged forward. With all his strength, he shoved Karl down and out of the bullet’s path. The shot missed, sparking against the stone ground as Karl landed hard, the air knocked from his lungs.

The gun clattered from Lex’s hand and fell to the ground, but her furious scream followed. "You dare defy me?!"

"Karl! Stand up!!" Kaelan barked, his voice commanding, his face tight with pain but his eyes blazing with resolve.

Karl’s body shook, but hearing that voice jolted him. He scrambled up, his knees trembling.

"Let’s run!" Kaelan grabbed his hand firmly, pulling him forward. His movements were sharp, weaving and ducking as another shot whizzed past them from the second car. He dragged Karl with him, never letting go, dodging bullets with uncanny precision.

Karl’s chest ached as tears spilled down his face—not just from fear, but from the rush of emotions overwhelming him. No one had ever thrown themselves in front of him like this. No one had ever shielded him so fiercely except Ruby, Jules, Brother Adi, and Milo. His family had always protected him, loved him, pampered him like the foolish ghost he was. But here was Kaelan—injured, bleeding, yet holding his hand with such force, leading him out of death’s grip without hesitation.

Karl tightened his grip desperately, his tears falling as his heart swelled. I will never let go of Kaelan! Never! Even if Kaelan himself tried to pull away, Karl knew with every beat of his racing heart—he wouldn’t release his hand. Not now, not ever.

The day split with another deafening bang. Kaelan had been too focused on shoving Karl forward, too determined to keep him safe, that he didn’t see it coming. The bullet tore through his arm, then another struck his leg. His body staggered, his breath hitched sharply and then he fell, crashing onto the ground.

"Kai!!!" Karl’s scream ripped out of him, his eyes widening in horror as he saw the blood spilling, saw Kaelan’s face twist in pain.

Kaelan’s hand pressed to his wound, his body trembling, his breathing shallow. He forced his eyes open, locking them on Karl, his voice weak but carrying every ounce of authority he still had. "Karl!!! Run... run and get help. I trust you!" His words cracked, his face pale, but his gaze burned with urgency.

Karl shook his head wildly, tears spilling. "No... no, I can’t leave you!"

"GO!!" Kaelan roared, his voice breaking, his chest heaving. "Or else we both die here! GET ME HELP!"

Karl’s heart tore in half, his hands trembling, his body rooted to the spot. But Kaelan’s desperate cry and the sight of the blood wouldn’t let him freeze again. With one last choked sob, Karl nodded his head, his voice shaking. "I’ll come back for you, I promise!"

He turned and ran—faster than he ever had in his life, his legs carrying him with wild desperation, his vision blurred from tears. The blazing daylight burned against his eyes, but all he could see was Kaelan’s face, all he could hear was his name repeating in his chest like a broken prayer.

Behind him, the roar of engines cut through the open air. Two black cars descended, their wheels grinding against the dirt road as they skidded to a stop near Kaelan’s fallen body. Their doors swung open, shadows stepping out, and Lex emerged, her cold smile gleaming beneath the harsh daylight.

Kaelan lay there on the ground, blood darkening the dust, his body weak but his eyes sharp, never once looking away from the direction Karl had run. Survive, Karl... bring help... he thought, even as the shadow of Lex’s presence stretched across him.

***

Karl’s legs burned as he kept running, each step heavier than the last. The sky had already darkened red into evening, and soon the first drops of rain began to fall, cold and sharp against his hot skin. His breath came ragged, his chest on fire, and then the itching started—his whole body felt like it was burning from the inside. Still, he forced himself forward, Kaelan’s desperate voice echoing in his head.

Through the blur of rain and tears, he saw figures in the distance—people in long raincoats gathered under a flickering streetlamp, speaking quietly among themselves. Hope surged in Karl’s chest, pushing his weak legs to move faster.

"Help me! Help me!!!" Karl’s voice cracked as he shouted, stumbling toward them, his arms flailing. His vision blurred completely, the fire in his veins making him dizzy. The last thing he saw were the startled faces turning toward him, wide-eyed under the shadows of their hoods.

And then, his body gave out. He collapsed into the mud with a heavy thud, the rain splashing around him.

For a moment there was only silence, the rain pattering hard. Then panic broke among the group. "He fainted!" one of them cried. "Quickly, lift him!"

Though some looked scared, they didn’t hesitate. Two ghost bent down, lifting Karl’s limp body carefully into their arms, while another witch shouted. "There’s a hospital nearby—hurry!"

The group moved quickly through the rain, their boots splashing through puddles as they carried him. The storm grew heavier, but they didn’t stop until the glowing red sign of a nearby hospital came into view. The doors swung open as they rushed inside, Karl’s pale, soaked figure in their arms.

Nurses hurried alongside the stretcher, their hands moving quickly to check his pulse and breathing. His robe clung to his frame, torn and dirty, his pale face making the staff murmur with worry.

One of the doctors, an older witch with sharp eyes, stepped forward to help. But the moment her gaze fell on Karl’s face, she froze. Her brows furrowed as she leaned closer, her mind racing. That face... I’ve seen it before.

To be continued... 🪄