Sera’s pov:
We made it out because Damien made it impossible for us not to.
That was the only reason.
The gunfire didn’t just stop; it kind of wheezed out, thinning and staggering until there was nothing left but a silence that felt wounded. My ears were ringing so loud the whole world felt hollow, like my head was being squeezed from the inside. Smoke crawled across the sand in ugly, gray sheets, smelling like salt, burnt powder, and something metallic that I tried my best to ignore.
Damien was moving on pure instinct.
He didn't ask if I was okay. He didn't look back to see if I was crying. He just grabbed my wrist hard and unyielding, and pulled me with him. His grip was the only thing keeping me on this planet. His other hand never left his gun, his finger steady on the trigger e
