Chapter 191 Escape
>>Somi
I watched with a mixture of shock and fury as Azef leaped towards her, cutting the wire and plunging into the sea below with his charge. My grip on the door handle tightened as I witnessed the audacious escape, my mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions.
Without hesitation, I flung open the car door and stepped out onto the rain-soaked pavement, my boots splashing in the puddles that dotted the ground. The storm raged around me, matching the tempest that churned within my chest.
I ran to the edge, my heart pounding in my ears as I scanned the horizon for any sign of them. But the sea stretched out before me, a vast expanse of roiling waves and darkened skies. There was no trace of Azef or his companion, no hint of their whereabouts.
“Didn’t you shoot them?!” I screamed at my men who stood at the edge
“We did,” They said, “But they haven’t come up.”
Anger surged through me like a tidal wave, hot and fierce. How had they managed to elude us so easily? The thought of their daring escape filled me with a seething rage, my fists clenched at my sides as I fought to contain the storm of emotions raging within me.
I underestimated him. I didn’t think he would just take the girl and jump into the water! That’s suicide in this storm!!
"Find them!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the roar of the storm. "Search every inch of this coastline! I want them found, no matter what it takes!"
My men sprang into action, fanning out along the shoreline, their eyes scanning the turbulent waters for any sign of movement. I watched them go, my jaw set in a determined line.
Azef may have slipped through our grasp for now, but I refused to let him escape justice. Cyrus said he’d get the location of the place where he’s staying in the forest!
I’ll get you Azef Greer! And then I’ll get my son!!!
>>Azef
I kicked my legs and propelled us deeper into the abyss, away from the coastline and the chaos that awaited us above. The water closed in around us, the pressure increased but this was the only way out.
I glanced down at her, her form limp in my arms, and realized with a jolt that she couldn't breathe underwater.
How long have I been down?!?
Shit!!
Panic surged through me as I struggled to come up with a plan. I couldn't risk surfacing too soon and exposing us to the danger lurking above, but I couldn't let her drown either. I needed to find a way to get her to safety without getting caught.
With a sense of urgency, I scanned the murky depths for any sign of shelter. My eyes caught sight of a dark opening in the rocks below, a hidden cavern that promised refuge from the storm raging above. It was our best chance at survival.
I kicked my legs harder, propelling us towards the cavern with all the strength I could muster. The water seemed to resist our progress, pushing back against us with force. But I refused to be deterred. I had come too far to let anything stand in our way.
As we neared the cavern, I felt a surge of relief wash over me. The opening loomed before us like a beacon of hope in the darkness. With a final burst of effort, I pushed us through the entrance and into the shelter of the cavern.
The water inside was calmer, the sound of the storm reduced to a distant rumble. I glanced around, taking in our surroundings with a sense of cautious optimism. We were safe, at least for the moment.
I turned my attention to her, hoping to rouse her from the unconscious state. But as I gazed at her pale, lifeless form, dread coiled in the pit of my stomach.
“Seraphina?” I called her name, “Hey, Seraphina!!” I tapped her cheeks, “Hey!” her body was limp, I had to drag her to the little land that was available there amongst the water.
She wasn't responding.
With trembling hands, I checked for signs of life, my fingers pressing against her wrist in search of a pulse. My heart sank as I felt nothing beneath my touch.
NO!!
Panic surged through me, a cold dread gripping my chest as I realized the gravity of the situation.
I leaned in closer, my ear hovering over her mouth, straining to hear any sign of breath. But there was nothing, only the hollow silence of the underwater world.
Fear clawed at my throat as I realized that water had filled her lungs, suffocating her from within. I had to act fast if I was going to save her. With a sense of urgency, I positioned myself beside her, my hands finding their place on her chest.
I began compressions, pressing down rhythmically with all the force I could muster. Each compression sent shockwaves through her body, but still, she remained unresponsive. Desperation surged through me as I continued the CPR, willing her to come back to life.
But as the seconds stretched into eternity, it became clear that my efforts alone were not enough. I needed to do more.
With a grim determination, I leaned down and placed my lips over hers, sealing our mouths together in a desperate attempt to breathe life back into her lungs.
Come on!! I prayed!!
Come on!
Come back to me!!
I blew air into her mouth, praying that it would be enough to jumpstart her failing respiratory system.
Come on!!!!
Time seemed to stand still as I performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, each breath a silent plea for her to return to me. But still, she remained motionless, her body limp and unresponsive beneath my touch.
I refused to give up hope. I continued the CPR, alternating between compressions and breaths, pouring every ounce of strength and willpower into the effort to save her. The cavern echoed with the sound of my frantic efforts, the silence of the underwater world broken only by the rhythm of my desperate actions.
“Come on!!” I yelled, “Don’t leave me!!” I was desperate, “This can’t happen again!!!”
And then, finally, a miracle happened. With a sudden gasp, she coughed and sputtered, water spilling from her lips as she struggled to draw breath. Relief flooded through me as I watched her chest rise and fall with each ragged breath.
“Oh!” I let out a shaky breath
A wave of relief washed over me. But my relief was short-lived as I noticed her slipping into unconsciousness once more.
“Hey!!” Panic gripped me anew as I realized that the ordeal had taken its toll on her, both physically and mentally.
I gently cradled her in my arms, her limp form made me scared but holding her close made me constantly assured that her heart was beating.
As I held her close, a thought occurred to me. The stress of the situation might be exacerbating her condition. We went too deep in the water, the pressure must have suffocated her
…
I should have thought this through… But at that moment, there was no other way. I bit my lower lip hard.
“Shit,”
I looked around the place, my breathing slowly stabilizing as I tried to look for another way out.
We need to get to the forest. And we need to move fast.
I looked down at her
I’ll just carry her.
>>Seraphina
My consciousness slowly trickled back into my awareness
???
I felt disoriented, as if I were caught in the midst of a whirlwind. The world spun around me, and a dull ache throbbed at the base of my skull. Blinking against the haze, I struggled to make sense of my surroundings.
My clothes clung uncomfortably to my skin, damp and heavy with seawater. With a groan, I pushed myself into a sitting position, my head swimming with dizziness.
Where am I? I tried to recalled and then remembered we jumped in the sea
I looked around as strange voices made their way to me. As my vision cleared, I realized that I was no longer in the water but nestled within the embrace of a dense forest.
Panic surged through me at the realization. How had I ended up here? And where was Azef? My heart pounded with anxiety as I scanned the unfamiliar surroundings, searching desperately for any sign of my companion.
Then, I saw him. He was sitting behind me, his gaze fixed on me with a mixture of concern and relief. The sight of him filled me with a flood of conflicting emotions—gratitude, disbelief, and a profound sense of wonder.
"You're awake," He said, his voice soft, "How do you feel?"
I tried to respond, but my voice came out as a hoarse whisper. Clearing my throat, I managed to croak out a reply. "I... I feel dizzy," I admitted, my words slurred and muddled. "And my head hurts."
The sunlight filtered through the leaves.
He nodded sympathetically, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from my face. "It’ll go away in a while.”
Closing my eyes, I tried to steady myself against the lingering effects of my ordeal. The memories of the past few hours felt like a distant dream, a surreal blur of chaos and danger. But here I was, alive and in one piece, thanks to Azef's quick thinking and unwavering courage.
Opening my eyes, I met his gaze once more, a silent exchange passing between us.
"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "For saving me." I looked away, “I didn’t think you’d come.”
“Why wouldn’t I come?” He replied.
“Was there any need for you to come for me?” I asked, “It’s not like I mean anything to you.”
He frowned at my words but at the same time it looked like he was hurt.
“Yea well,” He spoke softly, “I think it’s the other way around.” He said, “You were the one who was betraying me.”
!!!
I gulped. His words shocked me!
“It seemed like you had enough of me,” He said
“What are you saying?”
“I heard you talk to Somi,” He said, “I heard all of your conversation.”