The night turned into a blur of footsteps and shadows.
Isaac's hand clamped firmly around Catherine's wrist as he pulled her through the narrow alleys. Her cloak whipped behind her, her breath catching with every frantic step.
"Keep up!" Isaac shouted.
"I—I've never—" She stumbled, nearly tripping over the uneven stone. Her lungs burned. Her legs, accustomed only to quiet walks within the safe dimension, screamed in protest.
She had never run like this before. Never needed to.
Isaac glanced back at her pale face. "…Damn. You're seriously not used to this."
"…Do you… expect… everyone… to run like wild dogs?" she panted between breaths.
Despite the danger, a short laugh escaped him. "Guess not. But if we stop, they'll catch us."
Catherine's eyes darted behind them. Dark figures were closing in, their boots striking the pavement in chilling rhythm. Her heart slammed against her ribs.
If they catch me… Father… Carolyne…
Her grip tightened on Isaac's hand instinctively.
---
They burst out of the alley into a wider street. Neon lights flickered. A late-night food stall owner gasped as the two sprinted past. Isaac shoved an empty crate behind them, slowing the pursuers by a heartbeat.
Catherine clutched her chest, her words spilling without filter. "Why do you… help me? You don't know me."
Isaac didn't look back. "Told you already."
Her brow furrowed. "…Because of a mountain hill and a sunset?"
"Exactly." He grinned through ragged breaths. "I promised, didn't I?"
Her chest squeezed. Promises. The word was foreign and heavy, like something fragile she shouldn't touch.
---
A shadow leapt from the rooftops, landing in front of them with a crash. One of the men from before, faster than the rest. His knife gleamed under the streetlight.
Isaac yanked Catherine behind him.
"Stay back."
The man smirked. "Hand her over, boy. This isn't your fight."
Isaac's fists clenched. His stance lowered. "Maybe not. But you're in my way."
He surged forward.
---
The clash was quick. The attacker slashed, Isaac twisted, the blade grazing his sleeve. He retaliated with a palm strike to the chin, then drove his elbow into the man's gut. The thug staggered, but didn't fall.
Catherine's breath hitched. She had never seen violence up close. Every sound—the grunt, the smack of skin, the scrape of metal—echoed too loudly.
He's fighting for me…
Isaac ducked another strike, swept the man's legs, and slammed him against the wall with a grunt of effort. The thug collapsed, groaning.
Isaac exhaled sharply, wiping sweat. "Tch. Stronger than the last ones."
More shadows closed in from both ends of the street.
Catherine's lips trembled. "…We're surrounded."
Isaac pulled her closer. "Yeah. Guess running's not enough anymore."
"…What will you do?"
He smirked faintly, despite the danger. "What I always do. Hit until they stop moving."
"…You're insane."
"Probably." He cracked his knuckles. "But you're still holding onto my hand, aren't you?"
Catherine froze, realizing her fingers were still tightly wound around his. Heat crawled up her neck, but she didn't let go.
"…Fine. Don't die, reckless boy."
Isaac's grin widened. "Deal."
The men advanced. Catherine's heart pounded. The night trembled on the edge of violence.
And for the first time in her life, she wasn't hiding behind glass walls. She was standing in the storm.