Chapter 161 Alone, but not alone

Chapter 161 Alone, but not alone
Serena’s POV

This was it, the first time since I knew what life meant that I would go through it… alone.

Not under any family, or any care, or any custody… but alone.

What I'd always wanted.

The words still sat on my screen long after I sent them, the glow of my phone the only light in the quiet sewer.

No reply came immediately this time.

Good. It meant he was probably cooking up a proper plan, something that would work.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket and pulled the brim of my hat lower before stepping out of the sewer and into the street.

The city moved like I didn’t exist, like I wasn't tied to a particular Don a few hours ago.

Cars passed by, people talked and laughed. Life carried on like nothing had taken place, like no one had run through filth and darkness just to stay alive.

Good. That was exactly what I needed, to disappear.

I made my way through till I found a sign with the words “MOTEL” written on them.

I looked around before stepping in. It wasn’t much, but it had to do.

It was one of those places no one asked questions and no one remembered the faces that walked in or out.

Perfect.

I paid in cash, kept my head down, and didn’t say more than necessary. The man at the desk barely looked at me anyway.

“Room 17,” he announced and handed an old key over to me.

I took it without a word and made my way down the hallway. I found the room quickly and unlocked the doors.

The door creaked as I pushed it open, and inside was just like the place in general. It was small with a single small bed, a chair and a table.

The bathroom looked like it had seen better years and the toilet looked like something I would only use if I needed to burff.

I stepped in, locked the door behind me, and stood there for a moment.

I listened for anything out of the ordinary, anything worthy of notice.

But nothing. No footsteps outside, no voices around, no sense of being followed.

Only then did I move.

I dropped my small bag on the chair and pulled out my phone again, opening the last messages.

> Unknown: This is not something you do alone.

My eyes lingered on that line.

Not alone.

A quiet breath left me as I set the phone down on the table.

“I’ve been alone before,” I muttered under my breath.

But even as I said it… I knew this was different.

This wasn’t survival anymore, this was war.

I dressed down after a short while of breathing air that actually had little foul scent.

Then I stepped into the bathroom, turning on the tap, and splashing water over my face.

It was cold, at least one good thing here.

When I looked up, the mirror reflected someone I barely recognized.

I had dirt still faintly clinging to my skin and my eyes looked sharper than they used to be.

I was barely awake. Alive, yes, but tired.

Later that evening, I stepped out again with the same hat over my face.

The streets were busier now, but I did my best to move through them like a shadow.

I found a small food stall tucked between two buildings and ordered something simple.

The woman behind the counter glanced at me once, then twice.

“You new here?” She asked casually.

I shrugged lightly. “Just passing through,” I replied casually too.

She hummed like she didn’t believe me, but didn’t push further.

I took the food once she offered it, paid and moved away, settling at the edge of the street where I could see everything without being seen too much.

I watched every little movement that came too close, I watched those who lingered around too long. I watched those who moved by too fast.

I made my way back to the room after a while, locked the door behind me and sat on the edge of the bed.

For a while, I just ate in silence.

Then more than halfway through it, I stood sharply, clearing a small space in the room and adjusting my stance.

I put my feet apart, balanced my weight and moved slowly at first, testing the position.

It had been a while… but I guess not long enough to forget.

I shifted, stepped, turned.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Each movement sharper than the last, more controlled, more intentional.

My breathing got natural as I went on, even as my body slowly fell into rhythm.

It was far from perfect, but not weak either.

I wasn’t starting from nothing.

And that… mattered.

After a while, I had to give in to my body's needs and stopped.

I dropped on the bed and sleep came eventually…

The morning sun followed faster than I had expected and I was awake before it got hot.

I washed my face and stepped out into the city that hadn’t fully come alive yet, that made my journey easier.

I was still dressed in the same clothes as last night with my hat pulled low again.

I walked further away from the noise, away from the city as a whole.

I walked till the buildings thinned behind me and the air finally felt fresh.

I walked till I reached the outskirts, a large stretch of land not too far out. It was dry and open with just enough trees scattered around.

I stepped into a perfect space and exhaled slowly.

This was better. There were no eyes on me, no noise. Just me.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the gun I had managed to get the other day.

It felt unfamiliar in my hand as I adjusted my grip, then lifted it up and paused before firing at a tree.

The sound cracked through the quiet area and my arm jerked back painfully.

I frowned as I missed my target, then I tried it again.

This time, I took it slower, but still missed my target.

I kept firing, taking longer to prepare before each strike.

I didn't know how long I remained there until a voice called out from behind me.

“You’re gonna scare off birds like that.”

I turned slightly, just enough to see a man who I believed to be in his mid-thirties. He had a lean build and a casual stance.

He didn't look a threat… at least not immediately.

“Didn’t see any birds,” I replied calmly, lowering the gun slightly.

He smirked. “That’s because you already scared them off.”

I didn’t respond, just turned back and lifted the gun, firing wildly again.

“You new to this?” He asked, stepping a little closer but not too close.

“Something like that,” I replied.

“You’re holding it too tight,” he suggested.

I didn’t look at him. “I didn’t ask,” I replied bluntly, not needing help from another stranger.

A quiet chuckle came from him before he responded. “Fair enough.”

I turned to him slightly as he raised his hands in mock surrender and stepped back. “Just saying… loosen your grip a bit. Let it breathe.”

I didn’t respond immediately, but after a second… I took his advice and fired again.

This time… it landed better.

I lowered the gun slowly, not turning to him even though I heard him anyway.

“See?” He said lightly. “Not bad.”

I exhaled quietly. “Thanks,” I muttered reluctantly.

He didn’t stay too long after that and gave a small nod before walking off like it didn’t matter.

But I stayed longer, practicing more with each shot steadier than the last.

By the time I stopped, my arms burned from everything.

And by the time I returned to the motel, the sun had already gone low.

I sat on the edge of the bed with the gun resting beside me.

And just as I was about dozing off, a sound from just outside my room sparked me back.

My first thought was that it was nothing, then it came again, a bit louder now.

My body came alive instantly as I listened and heard a footstep just outside my room

I reached for the gun slowly with my fingers wrapping around it as I stood silently.

I heard another step right outside my door.

So I lifted the gun, pointing straight at the door as whatever was stopped just in front of it.