Chapter 48 Can’t Keep Running
I stood in front of the window, staring at the sky. Images of Sophia kept haunting me. I couldn’t concentrate. My heart is going a mile a minute and my mind is stagnant on the fact that Sophia is dead and it was all because of me.
I could still hear her scream, still see her running toward me. She probably wanted to save me, to help me—but then they killed her. My family killed her and they didn’t even care. It was like a normal thing to them.
Sophia’s blood splashed all over the floor in my presence—in their presence but they didn’t show any signs of remorse.
A single tear rolled down my cheek as I thought about it. Sophia was the best person around here. She always cared for me, always stood by me. Even when things with Carlos became difficult, she made sure I was comfortable. Now she’s gone—and the reason is me.
I can’t let her death mean nothing. I have to fight back. That’s the only way she can have peace. I know I can’t do anything to harm the Menendez but I still have to do something. Right now, I am done playing games. I am done running. It’s time the Menendez family stopped attacking—and I struck back.
Right now Carlos and I are at a hotel. He said we should stay here for the moment and then tomorrow morning, we’ll fly to another country. I don’t know how I feel about that. I am tired of running and hiding. It feels too repetitive and unbearable.
"Are you okay?" Carlos asked from behind me, tapping my shoulder.
I sighed heavily. "I don’t think I can ever be okay."
"I’m sorry."
"It’s not your fault. It’s my fault. It’s my mind and my heart. I can’t handle it anymore Carlos. I can’t think straight, I can’t do anything and my mind is playing tricks on me."
"Why? What’s wrong?" He asked.
"What’s wrong?" I scoffed. I couldn’t believe he was even asking. Didn’t he see Joe Sophia died? Didn’t he see how bad it was? "Carlos, we’re still under attack."
"I know that but the hotel is safe. Don’t worry. By tomorrow morning, we’ll get out of here. I won’t let them get to you."
"It’s not just about me anymore. You saw what they did. They killed everyone—and Sophia is dead because of me."
"It’s not because of you. It’s not your fault."
"It is my fault. If they weren’t after me, none of this would’ve happened. Sophia would still be alive. She’d be here with us." My voice rose. "Carlos, I watched her die. She was trying to reach me, to save me—but they shot her. She fell, she crumbled, crying. I saw it." My voice broke as tears streamed down my cheeks.
Carlos stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me. "I’m so sorry," He whispered, rubbing my back to comfort me.
"She’s dead, Carlos, she’s dead," I said again as the moment of her death flashed before my eyes. I feel like I failed Sophia. If I had acted sooner, if I had fought harder, if I had stopped her at the right moment, none of this would have happened.
I wish I could go back in time and change things.
Pulling out of the hug, Carlos cupped my face and said "It’s going to be fine. We will get through this together and I will not let anything happen to you."
I am no longer worried only about myself. I fear for the others—the people who will be hurt because of me. Those are the ones I care about most.
Carlos then adds "You should get some sleep. We have a long trip tomorrow."
I shook my head "I don’t want to sleep and I don’t want to go anywhere," I said.
His face twisted with confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Carlos, I am tired of running. It’s exhausting!" I wailed "Every single day feels the same and each time someone else dies. I can’t handle that anymore. I don’t want to keep running."
"Nala." He sighs
I halt his words "Let me finish." I said stepping forward "We have to come up with a plan. I won’t let more people die because of me. I want to end this once and for all."
"What do you want to do?" He asked.
I hesitate, then answer, "I want to fight back."
"It’s not possible. It’s too dangerous," He says, pulling away.
"Then I’ll do something else. Whatever it is, I will do it. But I am not going to sit back and watch them kill the people I care about."
"Nala, you can’t do anything. It’s too dangerous," He repeated.
"I don’t care how dangerous it is or could be!" I yelled "I want to do something and I must do it so please just tell me, is there a way to end this? I would do anything, I don’t care about myself right now, I just want the blood to stop."
Carlos went silent for a moment. He looked like he was thinking. I waited for him to say something but he didn’t. He took all the time he needed before he finally said. "There might be a way to end all of this,"
"What is it?" I asked.
He hesitated. I could tell he was weighing whether to tell me. I stepped closer. "Tell me."
"We can destroy the weapon. They only want you because of the Ore code. But if it’s destroyed then the fight between us and them will be pointless. They won’t attack anymore."
"But what if they get more upset that we destroyed it?"
"That won’t matter as long as they don’t get their hands on the Ore code."
"So you think that will work?" I asked
"We have to try. It will be dangerous, and you have to be prepared."
"I’m ready to do whatever it takes. As long as people stop dying," I said.
I knew it would be hard but I have to do this—for Sophia.