KAELIX MCGILL North Carolina

The morning sun filtered weakly through the blinds, doing little to brighten Kaelix's mood. He stood by the window, his body tense, his mind racing. The truck wasn't there anymore, but the eerie weight it left behind hung in the air like a storm cloud.

He had felt this before.

That night at the motel—the night everything in his life had shifted—he'd felt the same helplessness, the same gut-wrenching dread. Now, the feeling clawed at him again, sharper than ever.

Behind him, Sariyah stirred in bed, her voice groggy as she sat up. "Kaelix? You ain't sleep again?"

Kaelix didn't turn around, his hand gripping the edge of the windowsill. "I can't," he said flatly. "Not when I know they're watching us."

Sariyah swung her legs off the bed, grabbing the robe draped over the chair and wrapping it around herself. "The truck's gone," she said gently, walking up behind him.

"For now," Kaelix replied, his voice low. "They'll be back. I know it."

Sariyah placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension in his muscles. "Kaelix, we can't let this ruin everything. I know you're scared—"

"I'm not scared," he snapped, turning to face her. "I'm pissed. I'm tired of lookin' over my shoulder, tired of feeling like we can't just live. Every time I think we're good, some new shit pops up. I can't do this forever, Sariyah. I swear I can't."

She searched his eyes, seeing the weight he carried, the frustration bubbling just under the surface. "I know," she said softly. "But you're not alone. We're in this together."

Kaelix shook his head, stepping away from her. "I'm supposed to protect you, Sariyah. What kinda man am I if I can't even do that?"

"You're the man I love," she said firmly, stepping closer. "And we've made it this far, haven't we? We're not running anymore, Kaelix. If they come back, we'll handle it. Together."

Her words pulled him back from the edge. He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "You really think we should just stay here? Pretend like everything's normal?"

"I think we should try," she replied. "We came here to get away, to breathe. Let's not let them take that from us."

Kaelix hesitated, his jaw tightening before he nodded. "Alright. But if that truck comes back, you know it's up."

Sariyah gave him a small smile, resting her hand on his chest. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

By the time the sun began to set, Kaelix and Sariyah were dressed and ready for their night out. Kaelix had found a cozy, tucked-away restaurant nearby—a place that promised privacy and good vibes.

The restaurant Kaelix chose was small and tucked away, the kind of spot you'd only find if someone told you about it. Warm lights strung across the outdoor patio glowed softly in the evening air, and a faint hum of music drifted from inside.

Sariyah stepped out of the truck, her heels clicking softly on the gravel as Kaelix came around to meet her. He opened the door for her, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back as they walked in.

"You look good," he murmured, his eyes sweeping over her.

Sariyah smirked, glancing up at him. "You told me that already."

"I'mma keep tellin' you," he said, his tone low but sincere.

They were seated in a quiet corner of the patio, candlelight flickering between them as they glanced over the menu. Sariyah laughed at something Kaelix said, the sound light and easy, and for the first time in days, the weight between them seemed to lift.

"This place is nice," she said, glancing around. "Everytime you do stuff like this I never expect it."

Kaelix raised an eyebrow. "What you mean? I can't do nice shit?"

Sariyah laughed, shaking her head. "You know what I mean. It's just always different"

Kaelix leaned back in his chair, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Different good or different bad?"

"Good," she said quickly, her tone softening. "It's really good."

The food came, and the conversation flowed easily. They talked about everything—from the apartment they'd just furnished to the future they were trying to build together. For the first time in a while, Kaelix let himself relax, let himself dream a little.

"You ever think about what's next?" Sariyah asked, twirling her straw in her drink.

"Next like what?" Kaelix asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Like... what we're working toward. A year from now, where you see us?"

Kaelix thought for a moment, his eyes locking with hers. "I mean of course I want us to be somewhere safe. Maybe we settled down somewhere where we could our on space"

"Like the country?" She tilted her head

"Uh. I guess something like that, but I want it to be everything we want. Your dream home and mine put together, if that makes sense" he said taking a bite of his food.

She nodded "so North Carolina isn't our forever home?" She asked.

"If you want it to be. To be honest it doesn't matter where I'm at, I just want you there" he says, causing her to smile.

Sariyah smiled faintly, her gaze dropping to her plate. "Everything you said sounds perfect then"

"It's gon' happen," Kaelix said firmly. "I'll make sure of it."

They lingered at the restaurant longer than either of them expected, neither wanting to break the spell of the evening. By the time they left, the sky was dark, the stars scattered like diamonds across the inky blackness.

As they walked back to the truck, Kaelix slid his arm around Sariyah's waist, pulling her close. "You know," he said, his voice low, "we still got time before we head back to the cabin."

"You nasty as hell bro" she playfully pushed him away.

The cabin was dark when they returned, the quiet night wrapping around them like a blanket. They walked hand in hand up the porch steps, the glow of the porch light illuminating their smiles.

Neither of them noticed the black truck parked up the road, its engine quietly in as shadows moved inside.

Inside the cabin, Sariyah kicked off her shoes, heading straight for the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Kaelix locked the door behind them, his fingers brushing over the gun tucked into his waistband out of habit.

"I'm about to take a shower and change," Sariyah called from the kitchen.

"Yeah, I coming witchu," Kaelix replied, heading toward the bedroom watching as she pulled her shirt off.

But before either of them could move, a low creak echoed through the cabin.

Kaelix froze, his hand immediately going to his gun. Sariyah's footsteps stopped too, her eyes darting toward him as he stepped back into the living room.

"Stay right there," he said, his voice low and steady.

Sariyah nodded, her hand reaching for her pistol on the counter.

Kaelix moved silently, his footsteps muffled against the wood floors as he approached the living room. The sight stopped him cold.

Sitting in the armchair by the window was the exact same man from the cookout.

"Evenin'," the man drawled, his voice casual as if he belonged there.

Kaelix's grip on his gun tightened. "How the fuck you get in here?"

The man smirked, leaning back in the chair. " I got my ways."

Before Kaelix could respond, another figure emerged from the shadows—a tall, broad-shouldered man who wasted no time lunging for Kaelix.

"Kaelix!" Sariyah screamed, raising her gun.

The room erupted into chaos.

Kaelix fought the second man, their bodies crashing into the coffee table as Sariyah aimed at the first intruder. He was too fast, closing the distance between them and slamming her against the wall. Her gun clattered to the floor as his hands wrapped around her neck.

"I promise he's coming for you," the man hissed, his face inches from hers.

Sariyah froze, her eyes widening in recognition. "What—"

"You think he's dead, but he's been watching you," the man continued, his grip tightening.

Kaelix, seeing Sariyah struggling, roared in fury. He managed to shove his opponent off, grabbing his gun and firing two clean shots into the man choking Sariyah.

The man fell back, blood pooling beneath him.

Kaelix turned to the other intruder, who was scrambling to get to his feet. Without hesitation, Kaelix fired again, his aim sharp and precise.

The cabin fell silent, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder and blood.

Kaelix rushed to Sariyah, who was coughing and clutching her throat. "You good?" he asked, his voice urgent as he softly touched her now red neck.

She nodded, her eyes watering as she leaned into him. "Yeah... yeah, I'm good."

Kaelix held her close, his mind racing. Whoever these men were, this wasn't over. And the mention of someone "watching her"? That was a problem they couldn't ignore.

For now, though, they were alive.

"Pack your shit," Kaelix said, his voice low and steady. "We leaving tonight."

Sariyah didn't argue. She just nodded, her fingers brushing against his as they both moved to gather what little they had.

-

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