small town secret

Got it! Chapter 7 will have action, tension, and a rain-soaked rescue, pushing M

(Morana's POV)

It started with the rain.

Because, of course, it did.

The night sky was heavy, thick clouds swallowing the moon as the first drops began to fall. I pulled my hoodie over my head, shoving my hands deep into my pockets as I walked down the nearly empty street.

That's when I heard it.

A voice—her voice.

Sharp, panicked, coming from the alley just ahead.

Astria.

My stomach dropped before my brain even caught up.

Then I was moving.

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A Dark Alley – The Wrong Place, The Wrong Time

Three guys.

One Astria.

She was backed against the brick wall, posture tense, her usual golden-girl confidence nowhere in sight.

One of the guys stepped closer. "Come on, sweetheart. No need to be difficult."

Astria's jaw clenched. "Get lost."

The guy laughed, but it wasn't funny.

And that's when I stepped in.

"Didn't your moms ever teach you not to pick on people outnumbered?" I drawled, stepping into the dim light.

The three guys turned.

Astria's eyes snapped to me.

Shock. Relief. Something else.

"Walk away," one of the guys sneered.

I smiled. "Nah."

Then, before they could react, I moved.

The first punch landed square against the closest guy's jaw, sending him stumbling back. The second guy lunged at me, but I dodged, slamming my elbow into his ribs.

The third one actually got a hit in—bastard—but I barely felt it before I threw him against the wall.

It wasn't graceful. It wasn't cinematic.

But it was enough.

They muttered curses, shoving past each other before running off into the night.

Cowards.

I exhaled sharply, shaking out my sore fist. "Well, that was fun."

And then I felt her.

Astria was on me in an instant, arms wrapping around my waist as she buried her face in my shoulder.

I froze.

The rain poured harder, soaking through both of us, but neither of us moved.

"...Are you okay?" I asked, my voice coming out softer than I expected.

She nodded, but I felt it more than I saw it.

Her arms tightened.

"...You came," she whispered.

I swallowed hard.

"You called," I murmured.

She pulled back just enough to look at me. And that was a mistake.

Because up close, under the dim streetlights, with rain trailing down her face…

She looked unreal.

Something heavy settled between us, something I didn't know how to name.

Her fingers curled in my hoodie, and for a second, I thought—

She blinked. Stepped back.

The moment shattered.

"Let's get out of here," I said, clearing my throat.

She nodded, but her hand lingered in mine for just a second longer before she let go.

And as we walked away, side by side, the rain still falling around us…

I realized something.

I wasn't sure if I was still saving her.

Or if she had just saved me.