CHAPTER 52: 52:THE WORLD KEEPS HURTING

The musty air inside the underground cache felt heavier now, suffocating as Zara heard the men file in.

Zara froze, her hand tightening instinctively on Leo’s arm. She didn’t need to see his face to recognize the voice that followed.

"Well, we’ll, we’ll." a smooth, low voice drawled. "I knew you were good luck."

Raphael stepped into view, his dark silhouette dominating the dim light of the bunker. The harsh beam of his flashlight danced over the walls before landing squarely on Zara.

He smiled—a slow, predatory curve of his lips that made her skin crawl.

Behind him, his men descended one by one, their boots clanging heavily on the metal rungs.

Zara’s heart pounded, her pulse a wild drumbeat in her ears. How did he know where they were?

Her other hand curled into a fist, her mind already racing for an escape route. The narrow aisles of the cache offered little room to maneuver, and Raphael’s men had spread out, blocking the only visible exit.

"Ah, there you are." Raphael’s voice echoed through the room, the flashlight making Zara squint. "Little fox, we were able to find the cache because of you. For that, I thank you."

Zara frowned, Kit had found the cache, not her. She had just been lucky enough that the snow had rusted the grate.

"Mia." Raphael’s voice was a purr now, soft but dripping with command. "You know what to do."

Mia’s shoulders hunched, and she flinched as if his words struck her like a whip. Slowly, hesitantly, she stepped forward from where she had been standing behind Zara. Her head was down, her hands clenched at her sides.

Zara’s throat tightened. "Mia...?"

She watched in stunned silence as Mia walked past her. The sight was so unreall—Zara had a hard time processing what was happening. When Mia finally stopped, she stood at Raphael’s side.

"What the hell is going on?" Zara demanded, her voice sharp.

Raphael chuckled, low and amused, as if he enjoyed her confusion. He placed a gloved hand on Mia’s shoulder, his long fingers curling possessively over the fabric of her jacket. "Your friend here has been very... helpful."

Mia flinched at his touch but didn’t pull away. Her head remained bowed, her dark hair casting shadows over her face.

"Helpful?" Zara’s voice cracked, disbelief and betrayal twisting through the single word.

Raphael tilted his head, studying Zara like a cat watching a mouse. "Oh, yes. You see, Mia and I struck a little deal. She gives me what I want, and in return..." His gaze flicked to Mia, his smile growing. "I keep Kit safe."

"Kit?" Zara’s voice wavered.

"Where is he?" Mia’s head shot up, panic flashing across her face for the first time. She twisted to look behind her, her eyes scanning the room.

Raphael’s smile didn’t falter, but there was something mocking in his tone when he replied. "He’s safe. Don’t worry your pretty little head about him."

"Raphael," Mia pressed, her voice rising. "You promised—"

"And I kept my promise," Raphael interrupted smoothly, his gaze sharp as glass. "For now."

Zara’s stomach churned. Her grip on Leo tightened, and she fought the urge to lash out, to shake Mia and ask if she was crazy. Why would a young girl like her interact with such dangerous people? What if they had done something ri Kit? To her?!

Zara had dismissed it then, too focused on their next move to probe deeper. But now...

"You sold us out," Zara said quietly, the words heavy and hollow in her chest

Mia flinched again, her arms wrapping around herself. "I didn’t have a choice."

Zara’s eyes burned with betrayal, but there was no time to process it. Her chest tightened as she looked at Mia, a trembling teenager whose guilt weighed as heavy as the betrayal. Zara wanted to yell, to demand why she hadn’t trusted her, to rage against this impossible decision.

But then Raphael’s mocking voice cut through the silence. "I told you, fox. She’s quite the little negotiator. Didn’t even hesitate when it came to trading your pretty little head for her brother’s life."

"Shut up!" Zara snapped. What a monster, preying on this child’s vulnerability.

Raphael chuckled, amused by her anger. "Oh, don’t be so harsh on her. Family makes us do crazy things, doesn’t it?" He glanced at Leo, perched protectively on Zara’s hip. "You, of all people, should understand that."

Zara’s blood boiled. She shot Mia a desperate look, one that screamed, Tell me this isn’t true. Tell me you didn’t trust the words of this scoundrel. But Mia didn’t look up.

"I thought we were a family," Zara whispered, her voice trembling.

Mia flinched as if struck. Her lips moved, but no words came.

Then Raphael raised his hand, snapping his fingers. "Enough chit-chat. I’ve been patient, but now... you come with me, fox. Let’s not make this messy."

Raphael’s men were moving now, spreading out through the cache. Zara’s instincts kicked in, sharp and loud.

"No," she said firmly.

Raphael’s smile turned razor-sharp. "That’s not a choice."

"We need to leave," she whispered to herself, her breath fogging the cold air. I need to find an exit.

Raphael’s sharp eyes flicked to her. "Going somewhere, fox?"

Zara didn’t answer. She shifted Leo higher on her hip and took a step back. Her eyes darted to the ladder—the only clear way out. But Raphael’s men were already blocking the path. Going though there would have to mean fighting them and pushing her way though.

Plus, she could see guns.

"Stay where you are," Raphael said, his voice calm. "You’ve got something I want."

"And what’s that?" Zara shot back, her tone defiant despite the fear curling in her chest.

Raphael’s smile widened, and he took a slow step forward. "You."

What the fuck? She frowned in confusion. They had only met once! Why would he ba interested in her?! I

"Don’t look so surprised dear! I can tell you’re a lucky charm!" He took a step closer.

Zara tensed as she shifted away, wincing as she bumped into a shelf behind her.

"What’s my fault in wanting some fresh meat after so long? You must be backed up as well yeah?" He grinned.

The moment his words reached her, Zara moved. She pivoted sharply, ducking behind one of the metal shelves as Raphael barked an order to his men.

"Get her!"

The room erupted into chaos. Zara weaved through the narrow aisles, her breath ragged as she clung to Leo with one arm. Supplies rattled on the shelves as she passed, some toppling to the floor in her wake.

"Zara!" Mia’s voice rang out, filled with panic.

Zara ignored it. She couldn’t think about Mia right now. Not her betrayal, not her guilt—nothing but the task of keeping Leo safe.

She’s just a kid, Zara thought bitterly. A scared, desperate kid trying to protect her little brother.

A crash behind her jolted her back to the present. One of Raphael’s men barreled around the corner, his heavy boots pounding against the floor. Zara gritted her teeth and ducked low, grabbing a wrench off a nearby shelf.

"Stay down, Leo," she whispered, shielding his head as she swung the wrench with all her strength.

It connected with the man’s shin, and he let out a guttural yell, collapsing to his knees. Zara didn’t wait to see if he’d recover—she darted past him, her breath ragged.

Another one of Raphael’s men lunged for her, his hand grabbing at her jacket. Zara twisted away, her free hand grabbing a can off the shelf. She hurled it at his face with all her strength.

The man stumbled back with a grunt, and Zara didn’t hesitate. She ducked low, slipping past him and darting down another aisle.

"Don’t let her get away!" Raphael’s voice rang out, furious now.

Zara reached the end of the aisle and skidded to a stop. Another man was blocking her path, his gun raised.

Her heart seized, but her body acted on instinct. She ducked as the first shot rang out, the deafening sound echoing through the bunker. She grabbed the edge of the shelf and yanked it forward with all her weight.

The shelf toppled with a deafening crash, supplies spilling everywhere. The man shouted, jumping back to avoid the falling debris. Zara didn’t wait to see if he was injured. She turned and ran, weaving through the chaos.

"What the fuck are you all doing?! Can’t catch one woman?!"

Behind her, she heard Raphael cursing, his voice a sharp bark of anger.

"Mia, get her back here now!"

Zara flinched, had Mia left their group? She ducked beneath some crates, chest heaving as she tried to peek though the mess. Where was Mia?

Mia’s voice rose, frantic. "Zara, stop! Please!"

Zara’s chest burned, a mix of exertion and betrayal. But even as the anger surged through her, she couldn’t ignore the instinct to protect. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes finding Mia for just a moment.

A man raised his gun behind Mia, aiming for Zara.

Without thinking, Zara twisted her body, shielding Leo as she grabbed a crate from a nearby shelf. She flung it with all her strength, the motion wild and desperate.

The crate struck the man’s arm, throwing his aim off. The shot rang out, but it missed, ricocheting off the metal walls.

Zara’s breath came in sharp gasps.

Just as she reached the far end of the bunker, the ground beneath her shook violently. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and a deafening explosion ripped through the air.

Zara stumbled, her legs buckling under the force of the blast. She twisted her body to shield Leo as debris rained down around them.

"What the hell—" one of Raphael’s men shouted.

Another explosion followed, this one closer. The ceiling groaned, and a jagged crack split the surface, letting in a shaft of pale daylight.

Through the chaos, Zara saw them—another group of scavengers, armed and wild-eyed, swarming through the opening like vultures.

Raphael snarled, his attention snapping away from Zara. "Who the hell are they?"

The newcomers didn’t answer. They opened fire, bullets tearing through the bunker as Raphael’s men scrambled for cover.