Beyond the Pack’s Law: My stepsister or nobody else

Ryan’s POV

I whispered harshly to Hayley – who peeked through the railing at a community area where middle school students were waiting for lunch activities to start. The abandoned warehouse had corridors that appeared to stretch far across all directions, as their dimly lit terrains ended into shadows which could be filled with any threats.

“Do you think he’s in there?” whispered she from behind the door, as we stood with our ears pressed against its wood.

Well, there was only one way to find out, so I cautiously stuck my head up and looked through a crack. My eyes looked through a window and inside I saw Aiden who was on edge arguing with the rouge pack leader. Defiance laced with resignation was in his eyes.

“Stay here,” I instructed. I have to hear what they are saying ”

Hayley looked up at me with concern, but she nodded knowing I would update her along the way. I edged closer, hoping to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“God you’re a stupid man, Aiden,” the leader of this wild bunch said as he paced. “You will find out that making friends with the weaklings was your worst mistake.

Aiden was very strict. But I did it to keep my family safe. You wouldn’t get it.

The head chuckled in a cruel sort of tone that shook through throughout the chamber. “Family? People that left when the going got tough. You’re delusional.”

Aiden fired back, “I’ve watched what happens to people that care about you. You manipulate, you exploit them and then bin. But I would rather die than ever stand with you.

The fingers of Hayley’s hand tightened around my arm. We have to take some action, Ryan. We can’t just leave him in there.

“I know,” I whispered back. “But we need a plan. We can’t just barge in.”

There’s not much time,” she urged glancing again nervously down the corridor. They will realise we are gone soon!

I nodded, my mind racing. “Okay, here’s what we’ll do. I can get the attention of leader, lead he away. You get Aiden out of there.”

Then she whispered, looking at me with scared eyes.

I smiled softly at her. “We’ve come this far. “[ I ] would think we’re not going to just leave without him.

I took a deep breath and then tiptoed to the other side of where that door was, readying myself for my approach. I picked up an old metal pipe that was lying around – my use of alternative weapons experiments had begun.

“Hey!” I yelled, swinging the pipe at the wall. It was a loud and irritating sound, echoing in the corridor. “Over here!”

The rogue leader spun to the door, his eyes narrowing. “What the hell?”

The leader said to one of his guards, “Go take a look. “Don’t let them get away.”

The guard began to walk towards the door, and I swung the pipe over my shoulder so hard that when it hit him in the head he collapsed. The leader blinked, surprised and took an overhand swipe at Aiden who leaned back in his space as Hayley was already moving.

“Aiden, now!” The door creaked open, and she stumbled into the room.

Aiden didn’t hesitate. He shoved the leader out of his way and ran for it, Hayley following suit.

“Stop them!” The leader recovered and roared after her on top of everything else.

Clattering through the hallways with footsteps right on our heels. “This way!” Luring them toward that out-of-the-way exit Aiden had mentioned, I placed the call.

“Where’s the panel?” Where is she at? Hayley said, her eyes darting along the walls.

“Here!” Aiden yelled as he bucked the wall. The room had a very narrow tunnel at the wall, and it slid open.

“Quick, quick,” I whispered and hurried them in. “We don’t have much time.”

We willed ourselves into the crack, in absolute darkness as we entered further down the penetration. The shouts of the leader became but a whisper behind our backs, yet still I felt tense.

“Keep moving,” I instructed. “We’re not safe yet.”

“Ryan, what are they going to do when they catch up?” Hayley’s voice was barely above a whisper she now sounded terrified.

No, they will not,” I told her with courage that my heart did feel. “We just need to keep going.”

Aiden joined me as we walked down the winding tunnel. “Thank you for getting me,” he said in a low voice.

I shouted back, making sure Hayley heard too “You were Never really all that lost Bill. And we promised that we shall bring you back home.”

“Hear, hear,” Hayley said defiantly. “No matter what.”

We followed the tunnel, which ultimately brought us to a narrow exit from behind some dense undergrowth. We walked out in the cool, night air – taking one last breath of mountain smells before going back to the world we’d been raised to.

‘We keep going,’ I said, looking around for any sign of pursuit.

**********

Hayley’s PoV

Hold on…, I panted as the others started to move. “I-I can’t go inside.”

Ryan spun around, a look of worry plastered onto his face. “Hayley, what’s wrong? We have to keep moving.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

My heart was thumping in my chest and I was shaking my head. I had a vision… Aiden and I tried to get away, but something went wrong…” I’m scared, Ryan.”

Aiden moved into striking distance, his eyes soft but steady. Hayley, I realize you’re scared but we have to trust each other. We’re almost out of this.”

Jack Placed a support hand on my shoulder. “We’ve got your back. We must not let fear thwart us.

I breathed in deeply and took stock of my friends’ faces – their resolve starting to empower me. “Okay. Let’s do this. Together.”

Ryan nodded, a small smile of relief on his face. “Together.”

We moved as one, pushing forward through the tunnel entrance. The darkness swallowed us, but the presence of my friends beside me was a beacon of hope.

As we advanced, Aiden whispered, “We’ll make it, Hayley. I promise.”

“Let’s get out of here,” I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

“Lead the way, Ryan,” Jack said. “We’re right behind you.”

*************

Aiden’s PoV

I caught her hand as we entered the tunnel. “I need you to listen to me.”

Her voice tiny, her eyes growing wide with fear and concern as she turned to me. “Aiden, what’s wrong? We need to keep moving.”

I gave her hand a weak squeeze, as if that would help you feel less terrified. But, nothing will happen to me. I promise. Especially if something is working, and even more so if nothing happens. Don’t come back for me.”

Her grip tightened in mine. Aiden, I can’t just leave you so easily. We came here to get you out.”

I know, I whispered. It was half to the music and half in a murmur of confidence to myself. Take the following, as an example: If things turn for the worse – you need to protect yourself Ryan will take care of you. Trust him.”

Ryan, who was somewhat ahead turned to face the both of us. What the heck are you talking about, Aiden? This is mass exodus folks.

I gave it a small nod but kept my eyes on Hayley. “Just promise me, Hayley. Just promise me you’ll stay gone.”

There was a small pause, and she blinked back tears. She whispered, “I promise,” and her voice broke on the word.

Everything okay?” I asked, hugging her briefly. “Now let’s keep moving.”

The darkness felt heavy as we walked down the tunnel. The air was almost frozen, damp and cold – but the warmth of Hayley’s hand in my own was a light to follow.

Then: A noise from behind us. Heavy footsteps. I turned, my heart sinking. I nodded, whispering back a soft, “They’re coming.”

Ryan’s face hardened. “We need to move faster. Come on.”

We started sprinting, but the footsteps behind us were getting louder. I looked behind me and saw rogue pack leader along with his men, coming near us

“shit!” I said to myself.

“Go!” I shouted to Ryan and Hayley. “Get out of here!”

“Aiden, no!” Hayley was crying, and I forced her toward Ryan.

“You must take her with you,” I told Ryan. “Get her away from here. I will fight them off.”

Ryan appeared to be lost in a moment of hesitation, and then he nodded. “We will come back for you, Aiden.”

“Just go!” I shouted while turning my back on the oncoming danger.

The harsh voice of the rogue pack leader carried in it a note of triumph and coldness that sent shivers down my spine.

“Did you actually think that you could get away from Aiden?” I met his gaze as he gloated over me like one who had conquered.

“I am not afraid of you,” I said with no qualms whatsoever. It was a chilling laugh that greeted me. “You should be.”

He lunged at me but I was prepared for this attack; instead of getting hit by his swinging back, I dodged him and landed a solid hit.

However, his men closed in on me quickly enough so that in seconds they pinned me down flat on the ground.

“Take him,” the leader ordered again “and make sure he does not do this once more.”

When they did that to old homelands I turned my head toward Hayley and Ryan disappearing into darkness like shadows on earth.

“Remember your promise,” I yelled at her pointlessly. “Stay safe.” “Aiden!” Hayley cried out but Ryan caught her arm and pulled her away without saying anything.

“Do not come back,” was my last shout while they took me away from there forever. “I will find a way back to you whatever It takes.”

The footsteps from their retreating figures could be heard throughout the tunnel while they dragged me deeper inside. “A fool you are,” sneered he at me. “But we’ll see how brave you are when we are done with you”

“Pfft,” I said in frustration, “You just don’t get it.” “I need to do this. It’s part of my mission. You have to go.”

Ryan grasped her arm more tightly, his expression dark. “He’s right, Hayley. We need to leave. Now.”

I- ” but Aidan -” her voice cracked.

“No!” I wince, cutting her off. “You promised. Go with Ryan. I’ll find a way back to you. I swear.”

The laugh of the rogue pack leader echoed in every corner. “Such touching loyalty. But it can’t save you, Aiden.”

“Go!” I screamed it one more time, still looking into Hayley’s eyes. “Now!”

She nodded, tears streaking her face. “Okay. Stay safe, Aiden.”

Ryan finally started to wretch her away, seconds ticking painfully by. They were about to pass into the dark when I shouted once more.

“I love you, Hayley. I’ll come back. I promise.”

A nasty grin curled across his face as the grip of the rogue leader tightened around my arm. “Touching. But I doubt that you promise me so. Ah! But we will see if you can keep it.

They dragged me into the depths and all I could see were Hayley’s tear-filled eyes. She whispered, and her voice was like a mouse’s squeak “Aiden… Please…”

“Go!” I screamed, the words echoing through the tunnel. “I need to do this. For all of us.”

It was firm, but Ryan’s voice somehow still sagged with understanding at her statement. “Come on, Hayley. We need to get out of here.”

“Ryan,” she said, her voice shaking.

“Not a ‘but’ or else,” he said, and refused to release her forearm. “Aiden’s right. We have to go.”

The last time I laid eyes upon my dear sister, she was in pain but love glowed from her wetness. “Promise me you’ll return,” she repeated quietly.

“Of course,” I said, my voice choking. “Now go.”

My ears were filled with the laughter of the rogue leader as he walked me away.

“Aiden, you were such a foolish person. Still you are courageous,” he said. I said “I take that as a compliment” although I was terrified.

He only smiled more widely. “But courage is not going to save you now.” The last thing that I saw was Hayley’s face disappearing into the night. “Be careful,” I whispered heartbroken because of my promise.

“What will your bravery count for, kid?” said the voice of the rogue leader in a scornful tone.

Hayley was on my mind and all the promises I had made were fresh as I did not answer him; strong for her sake. For everybody else too.