Chapter 173 ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE

Chapter 173 ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE
Scarlett's POV

As we walked down the narrow passage toward the pale light ahead, I could hear Blue's breathing become more and more labored. The exertion from the fight and moving the stone had opened up his shoulder again, and his wound was clearly hurting him badly.

We finally reached the exit frame. It was a bright moonlight, so clear and luminous that it illuminated the landscape almost as brightly as day. The stars were barely visible in the wash of light, save for a few prominent ones twinkling clearly.

Blue managed to pull himself up out of the hole, immediately reaching back down to help me out. I tried not to rely on him too much so he wouldn't strain his uninjured arm, but he insisted, pulling me up onto the solid ground beside him.

From where we stood, the wailing sounds of the police sirens were much louder now. The authorities had definitely arrived at Bellamy.

I turned on Blue, reaching out and pulling at the blood-stained fabric of his shirt to check his bandage.

He leaned back slightly, a cheeky smirk playing on his lips. "I am always down for a naughty time, Red, but I don't think I am really up for it presently."

I shot him an unamused glare, swinging my arms.

At my exasperated expression, Blue broke into a full, genuine grin.

I froze, my hands pausing mid-air. Over the time I had known him, Blue had given plenty of smirks and brief, accidental laughs, but this... this was absolutely radiant.

He was smiling brightly, his straight white teeth fully on display, and I found myself staring at him in awe. He looked so happy, so unlike the brooding guy I had met. I couldn't help the soft smile that automatically spread across my own face in response.

We stepped closer, wrapping our arms around each other in a tight, desperate hug.

Then, without a second of warning, Blue’s body went limply heavy, dropping like a dead weight and dragging me down to the grass along with him.

"Blue!" I gasped, scrambling back to look at his face.

His eyes were closed, his head falling to the side. He was unconscious. Damn it. He was suffering from blood loss and needed urgent medical attention right now.

I reached for his shirt, quickly tearing off a strip from the bottom—his shirt was much more cooperative than mine—and used the fabric to bind his shoulder even tighter to stall the ongoing bleeding. It felt like a miracle that Blue still had any blood left in his body at all.

I leaned down close, placing my ear against his broad chest. His heartbeat was still steady and strong under my ear. Thank goodness.

Suddenly, shuffling noises echoed from the high bushes behind me. I nearly died of fear, my heart leaping into my throat as I thought we had been caught by Derek's men or the police after all.

"Scarlett!" a voice hissed out.

I spun around. It was Rachael.

"Thank God you guys made it out!" Rachael said, stepping into the moonlit clearing. "Stan insisted we wait nearby for a few more minutes just in case."

"Rachael, he's badly injured," I said, my voice shaking as I pointed down at Blue. "What about the nurse? Is she still with you guys?"

I knew Stan’s brother and the nurse were kind of close, so Stan definitely wouldn't have left the institute without making sure she came along.

"Yes, she is with us too," Rachael confirmed, her eyes widening as she noticed the blood on the grass.

"Please get Stan and a good number of the guys to help transport Blue immediately!"

Rachael turned on her heel and ran off through the bush.

I took a moment to look around at our surroundings. We were in a deserted, slightly bushy area filled with high weeds and thick foliage. I was immensely grateful for the natural cover it provided, hiding us from the open road.

Further up the hill, searchlights and red-and-blue emergency lights were flashing everywhere over the main buildings of Bellamy, but we were fortunately quite far from the central gates.

An unexpected dragging noise coming from inside the tunnel shaft startled me. My head snapped toward the opening. I began frantically fumbling around Blue's person for one of his daggers, determined to protect both of us if someone was coming out to attack.

Then, the noise abruptly stopped.

I held my breath, crouching low, but I didn't bother pointing the flash of the torchlight inside the dark hole, not wanting to draw attention.

A minute later, Rachael returned, bringing Stan and three other guys with her.

"Most of the others have scattered around in different directions already," Rachael whispered, helping me pull Blue upright.

I nodded, already expecting as much.

The three guys carefully picked Blue up by each of his limbs. Watching them hold him like that didn't look quite safe or right to me, but I didn't say anything to stop them, simply because I didn't have a better option available.

I turned to follow them toward the woods, but before I could take two steps, a hand suddenly pulled out of the dark tunnel entrance. Just a head showed above the frame.

"Wait!" a raspy voice called out.

I gasped, quickly whipping my torchlight toward the hole.