I Had to Protect You

Amidst the torrents of rain that fell from the heavens, Anne walked the path home with a heart weighed down by a pain so profound it felt like a physical wound. The droplets mingled with her tears, blurring her vision, mirroring the storm raging within her. She felt as if a dagger had been thrust into her chest, but even that analogy seemed to fall short in capturing the agony that gripped her.

"It hurts so much," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the relentless downpour. Each step felt heavier than the last, her legs barely able to carry the weight of her grief.

"Why... why would someone do this?" Anne's voice wavered with a mixture of disbelief and sorrow. Her gown, once a symbol of elegance, was now drenched by the pouring rain, and her heels had been discarded on the path as they hindered her progress. Makeup, meticulously applied for the celebration, had been swept away by the rain, revealing her raw, tear-streaked face. She fell to the ground, a heartbroken figure sprawled on the wet earth, mourning the cruel fate that had stolen her mother's life.

Images of their shared laughter, the warmth of their hugs, and the love they had freely given to one another flashed through Anne's mind like a haunting slideshow. The bittersweet memories collided with the present, a stark contrast that intensified her distress. The pain wasn't just in her heart; it was in every fiber of her being, an all-encompassing ache that refused to be ignored.

The news had been a blow she never saw coming. The revelation that her mother had been murdered shattered Anne's understanding of the world. And the aftermath was equally devastating. Her father, unable to bear the loss, had fallen into coma that stretched over the years. The two pillars of strength in her life, both taken from her in an instant.

"Why did this have to happen?" Anne's voice broke as she let out a sob, her words carried away by the wind and rain. It was a cruel twist that the very house where her boss resided was the place her mother met her end. The irony was a heavy burden to bear, like a weight crushing her spirit. No one was left to offer her the solace her parents once did, no one to share her pain or soothe her fears. And the anxiety that gripped her, the heavy sorrow that seemed unrelenting, had a hold on her like a vice.

As Anne stumbled through the rain, her legs gave way beneath her, each step a struggle against her trembling limbs. She was a broken soul, battling the elements and her own heartache in a storm that matched the tempest within her. But even in the midst of her desolation, a faint glimmer of hope echoed in the distance.

Amidst the downpour, the cries of her brother and her friend reached her ears. Their voices pierced the veil of her anguish, as if they had sensed her pain from afar. They called out to her, their voices laced with tears and sorrow, a lifeline to her shattered soul. Their presence was a comfort, a reminder that even in her darkest hours, she was not alone.

"Anne! Anne, where are you?" David's voice was strained, his worry evident in his tone. He and Annabelle had been searching for her since the news had spread, their concern driving them to brave the storm.

"I'm here," Anne managed to choke out, her voice weak but filled with relief. They found her, their faces etched with their own grief as they knelt beside her fallen form. David's voice trembled as he tried to offer words of comfort, his own tears mingling with the rain. The embrace of their friendship was a balm to her wounded spirit, a reminder that she was loved and valued, even in her brokenness.

The next evening brought a different kind of tension. Eugene, with his unique ability to read minds, had uncovered the truth about the woman in the video – Anne's mother. His curiosity had turned into a relentless pursuit of justice, a need to uncover the dark secrets that had led to her mother's untimely demise. He knew well enough the police would start investigating the case the next morning.

"Eugene, you won't believe what I found," Anne's voice carried a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Eugene perceived how he read her mind like she sought in him and took him as a confidant.

Eugene's eyes widened with anticipation. "Tell me, Anne. What have you discovered?"

"It's about my mother's murder," Anne began, her voice trembling with a mixture of emotions. "I've been digging into the past, and I think I'm getting closer to the truth."

Meanwhile, in the garden, Alex's determination to reach Anne persisted. The video had caused her to vanish from the crowd, leaving behind an eerie silence. As he ventured deeper, the absence of sound was unsettling, as if the world itself held its breath. The sensation of an invisible force threw him off balance, his back colliding with the unyielding embrace of a rock. Pain seared through him, but he rose to his feet, ready to conquer whatever obstacle lay before him.

The garden, once a tranquil retreat, had become a realm of uncertainty. The stones he hurled yielded the same fate as he experienced – they disappeared into the unknown. The realization that he was trapped set in, the barrier confining him in a nightmarish labyrinth.

A figure clad in black appeared, sword poised for a confrontation. More joined its ranks, a legion of adversaries bent on testing his mettle. Alex faced them head-on, his determination unwavering. Blow after blow, he defied their onslaught, a dance of mastery against illusion. But it wasn't just a battle of strength; it was a battle of wills, a test of his resilience.

Amidst the chaos, his fiery eyes ignited with power. He analyzed their movements, deciphering the truth behind the illusions. With a swift incantation, a blazing dagger materialized, a weapon borne of his magic. It struck true, piercing the heart of the real adversary, dispersing the mirage in a haze of smoke.

The aftermath left him battered, blood mingling with the rain as he grappled with the remnants of the fight. His wounds were a testament to his victory, a testament to his resilience.

Eugene's instincts screamed, urging him to the garden where Alex lay wounded. His heart raced as he confronted the sight before him, his voice a desperate plea. "Alex, don't move! Stay where you are."

A sinister cackle pierced the air, and the weight of danger descended once more. The voice of Dark Hole echoed, a reminder of the darkness that lingered. Alex recognized the malevolent presence, the memory of their previous encounter a vivid recollection. But Eugene's mind-reading ability provided insight into the imminent threat.

As Dark Hole's threats echoed, Alex's resolve solidified. His focus was clear as he entrusted his plans to Eugene. "Eugene, if I don't come back... take care of everything. Protect Anne."

With urgency in his eyes, Alex disappeared into the night, leaving Eugene with a burden he never anticipated.

Anne's heart raced, her body tensing as the air crackled with malevolence. Dark Hole materialized, his aura radiating menace. Her heart pounded, the memory of their previous encounter fresh in her mind. Her gaze met his, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still. The very essence of evil stared back at her, chilling her to the core.

Before she could react, the blade gleamed in Dark Hole's grasp, a reflection of his sinister intent. Fear gripped her, her body frozen in the face of impending danger.

A sudden force disrupted the impending strike, a blow that shifted the tide of fate. Anne's eyes snapped open, revealing the form of Alex before her. His fist connected with Dark Hole's abdomen, a resolute punch that sent him reeling.

In the aftermath of Alex's intervention, Anne's eyes locked onto his form, a mixture of shock and disbelief flooding her expression. She watched as the two figures faced off, a battle that transcended the physical. The intensity of their struggle resonated with the turmoil within her heart.

Her voice trembled as she spoke his name, a fragile whisper amidst the chaos. "Alex..." That was actually the first time he called him his name.

But Alex's eyes held a warning, a plea for her safety. He restricted her view, his unwavering determination reflected in his gaze. As his eyes transformed, he restricted her from looking as they turned black and red, a manifestation of his fervor.

The ensuing battle was a symphony of steel and fury, a testament to the strength of their spirits. The clash of blades echoed, each strike a reminder of their unwavering resolve. Anne's heart swelled with pride, her admiration for Alex's strength deepening with every movement.

As the battle raged on, Alex's exhaustion became evident, his injured arm a stark reminder of his vulnerability. Dark Hole's breaths were ragged, his own strength waning. The two adversaries stood on the precipice of their limits, each blow a testament to their unwavering will.

With an unforgiving blow, Dark Hole unleashed his magic upon Alex, the raw power striking with a force that sent shockwaves through the air. Anne's heart clenched, her breath caught in her throat as she watched Alex weather the assault, his form standing strong against the onslaught.

The pain etched on his features was a reflection of Anne's own, her heart aching for the agony he endured. She witnessed his resolve waver, his strength faltering in the face of his injuries.

In that fleeting moment of vulnerability, Alex seized the opportunity. His dagger materialized, finding its mark in Dark Hole's leg. The venomous magic coursing through the blade did its work, and Dark Hole dissipated, leaving behind only the memory of his malevolence.

Anne rushed forward, her heart pounding as she reached Alex's side. His breathing was labored, his form battered by the battle. She knelt beside him, tears streaming down her face as she cradled his head in her lap. The rain continued to fall, a melancholic melody that echoed their shared sorrow.

"Alex, you did it," she whispered, her voice a mixture of relief and gratitude. His strength had been her salvation, his determination a beacon of hope in her darkest hours.

His response was a weak smile, a flicker of his usual charm despite his pain. "I had to protect you."

As his eyes closed, surrendering to the darkness that beckoned, Anne's tears fell freely, mingling with the rain. She held him close, her sobs a testament to the depth of her emotions. His sacrifice, his strength, and his unwavering devotion had forged a bond between them that transcended the trials they faced.

The rain continued to fall, a poignant reminder of the tempest they had weathered. Anne's touch was a balm to Alex's pain, her presence a soothing comfort that carried them through the storm. Amidst the rain-soaked night, their connection remained unbreakable, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.