It was an ambush. They knew they were coming. Someone had given them up. Aether didn't even realise what was happening before it was too late. The concrete was covered in blood and it was getting harder and harder to breathe.

Everything had happened so fast, and it was already over. Only Aether was left, bleeding out, all alone in the dark alley. His hand pressed on the wet hole in his chest he didn't even have enough strength left to cry out. His phone was shattered on the floor, it was way past 3am, there was no one to be found miles away.

So was that it? Was that how he was going to die? Alone in a dark alley, betrayed by the ones he knew he couldn't trust? How could it be? How was it fair? After all he had done, all he had been through, didn't he deserve to at least die with some dignity?Or maybe not. Maybe that was just the way it was supposed to be. But then who would take care of his dad? And his sister? Who would get them out of this doomed place, who would protect them from the Void? No, he couldn't die. Not yet. He had promised. It wasn't over yet. As long as he was still breathing he had to keep fighting.

“Fuck, damn!” his voice came out as a harsh whisper when he moved and awoke the pain that went through his whole body.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

But it was good, pain was good, as long as he felt pain it meant he was still alive. And as long as he was alive he still had a chance, he had to.

“You're not looking too good here, I wouldn't try to move too much if I were you.”

On instincts Aether had his gun out and pointing. But pointing at what, or at who? He had no idea, it was just too dark he couldn't even see past his nose.

“Ouaw easy there tiger you could hurt someone with that thing,” suddenly someone was standing right next to the bleeding man.

But no matter how hard he tried Aether couldn't recognise the voice.

“You've already lost a lot of blood, don't move and don't talk, you need to save your strength and hang on just a little bit longer you're gonna be okay.”

What on earth were they talking about?

“Wha-” Aether started but a hand on his mouth muffled out the rest of his words.

“I said don't talk, I'm trying to save your life here pal.”

But who the hell was that stranger? And what was even going on?