Unpredicted Savior

The present circumstances that had been happening in the same building over and over again were already drilling life out of Selene like a vice. The worst part is that each time they get close to an exit, a figure appears, pushing them back inside. Selene didn't dare slow down even when the explosion had thrown everything into chaos, but the real danger was the men closing in on them. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to get as far away as possible from the destruction that surrounded them. Axel was still by her side, though he could barely keep up. His steps faltered as his breath shallow, the injuries from earlier had left him weak, but there was no time for him to recover. Selene could feel the urgency in his every movement, but she knew he wouldn't last much longer if they didn't get to safety soon. 'The longer we stay here the quicker you will die, Axel we need to get you out of here!" Selene called over her shoulder, her voice strained but Axel's response came in the form of a sharp cough, his body struggling to keep pace. His face was pale, drenched in sweat, but he kept going, refusing to slow down. They reached the end of the hallway, where the once-sturdy door now hung precariously on its hinges, barely able to hold itself up. Selene's heart raced as she pushed the door open with all the strength she had left. The world outside was nothing like she expected. The building had been a maze, but now, the open space seemed even more daunting than she expected. 'How exactly is this even happening," she said looking at Axel. 'This way!" she shouted but this time pulling Axel through the doorway but before they could move further, the door behind them slammed shut, and the sound of footsteps approached from the direction they had just come. 'We're trapped," Axel muttered, his voice hoarse with exhaustion. 'There's no way out." 'No we are not, we'll find a way, we always do." Selene's voice was firm, but there was a flicker of doubt in her mind. The men were getting closer. They were no longer just hunting them, they were closing in on them with purpose like they had placed a tracker that showed every direction Selena and Axel turned. 'We need to keep moving," Selene said, glancing around the open space. There was a staircase at the far end of the alley they were in, leading down into the lower levels. It was the only possible escape route, and she knew they had to take it. The sound of footsteps grew louder as the men were almost upon them. Selene's heart raced, and her legs ached with the effort, but she forced herself to run. She pushed Axel ahead of her, and together they sprinted toward the staircase, the sounds of pursuit getting closer with every step. The dust was getting thicker, the crackling flames from the building behind them adding a menacing glow to the otherwise dark alley. Selene could feel the heat on her skin, but she didn't look back. She couldn't afford to look back. 'Move, Axel!" she shouted, as his pace slowed even more. He was barely keeping it together. Just as they reached the base of the stairs, a loud bang echoed from above them, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunfire. The bullet struck the ground just inches away from Selene's foot, and the force of it sent her stumbling. Axel grabbed her arm to steady her, but they both knew they couldn't stay here much longer. 'Go!" Axel grunted, urging her forward but the moment they turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs, another figure emerged from the shadows. 'No one escapes." The voice was low and menacing, and Selene's blood ran cold. The man in front of them stepped into the dim light, his face obscured by a black mask, but the shape of his body was unmistakable. He was short or below average, broad-shouldered and the dark shadows under his eyes told Selene all she needed to know. This wasn't just any random person. This was someone important and he was here to make sure they didn't escape. 'I don't want to know who you are but do yourself a favor and get the hell out of my way?" Selene demanded, trying to sound confident but she could feel her heart hammering in her chest. The fear was almost unbearable, but she refused to let it take hold. The man admired her confidence and then took a step forward. There was something almost unnatural about the way he moved like he wasn't just a man or invincible and untouchable. 'We don't have time for this," Axel said, his voice rough with exertion. 'We need to get out, Selene!" But the man just smiled—a cold, calculating smile that made Selene's stomach churn. 'You don't understand Selena, the more you get close to getting out the more you get pulled back in, you can't run forever, Selena every one of your steps has been mapped." The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Selene's thoughts raced, but before she could react, a loud crash echoed from behind them. Another explosion. The building above them groaned, and the walls began to shake, threatening to collapse once again. It was coming down and they were trapped in the middle of it. The man stepped closer, his eyes locked on Selene, and for the first time, she felt true fear. She didn't know who he was, or what he wanted, but it didn't matter. 'You've made a mistake. You should have stayed out of this, now, it's too late." Selene didn't wait for him to move any closer. She grabbed Axel's arm again, her mind working faster than her body could keep up. 'Run!" she shouted, pulling Axel toward another exit of the building. She could see a narrow alley behind the structure, and if they could make it there, they might have a chance. But just as they reached the corner, the man's voice echoed behind them once again, sharp and commanding. 'It's already over." And then, the world seemed to shatter while a deafening explosion ripped through the alley, sending debris flying through the air. Selene and Axel were thrown to the ground by the force of it, their bodies slamming into the ground as the shockwave tore through the space around them. At this moment it seems to Axel and Selene that the only thing saving them since they stepped into this building was the collapse of walls.