Chapter 11

Exhaustion eventually overtook me, and I drifted into a restless sleep, my dreams haunted by the shadows of my past. I found myself back in that dark place. My father towered over me, his face contorted with anger as he struck me again and again. I cried out, begging him to stop, but my pleas only fueled his rage. He lifted a thick wooden stick high above his head, ready to bring it down on me. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the impact. But it never came. A firm hand caught his wrist mid-air. My eyes flew open in shock. Lucian. He stood before me, his expression fierce, his grip unyielding as he held my father back. He saved me. Lucian shoved my father away before I could process what was happening and turned to me. He stretched out his hand. "Come with me," he said. Without hesitation, I placed my trembling hand in his. He pulled me to my feet. "Let's get out of here," he whispered. Then he ran, pulling me along with him. I matched his pace. I didn't ask where we were going. I d