As soon as Archelle saw the knife, she went to her knees in hurry, her fingers brushing against the handle of the knife clumsily.
Her breathe quickened when she looked up again. The attacker was looking so tensed as if he was ready to charge at her any minute now just to get the knife back.
Kian's eyes shook as he glanced back and forth between the two. He resisted the urge to scold Archelle for staying instead of fleeing from the scene.
He saw that the other guy was abut to approach Archelle, then swiftly shifted his weight and extended one of his leg forward aiming to trip the other guy before he could get any closer.
"Ouch!" The other guy grunted when he lost balance and stumbled forward. However, he regained his balance immediately, even glaring at Kian's back.
Kian smoothly slipped past the guy, grabbing Archelle's arms without hesitation, "Ah, Let's run!"
He slammed the door open and kicked it back shut right behind them. Once outside, they ran continuesly while huffing for air.
When Kian opened his mouth to ask Archelle about what's going on, he stopped midway because he noticed the sound of sprinting feet catching up to them.
"Stop!!"
"No way." He retorted while picking up his pace alongside Archelle.
He glanced around checking out for something, then used his free hand to grab everything he could from the street like a trash can, and discarded boxes. Then he took the things down behind to slow down the other.
The complaints of the bystanders could be heard in the background but he didn't care. They continued running while gasping like fishes that just got out of the water.
"This fucker!"
The guy yelled causing Archelle to flinch and slightly turn her back to check but Kian tightened his grip on her arm unconsciously, making her stop from actually turning back.
"Huff, huff.."
Countless thought ran into his mind as they ran. What is going on? Why is he tormenting Archelle? And why the heck is he trying to hurt her? Agh, and the cake.
What did he do to deserve all of these?
This was supposed to be a fun day for her but now, it's ruined because of this guy. Actually, forget the birthday. It doesn't matter. They can celebrate later, but right now, he needs to make sure he gets Archelle far away from this guy.
When he thought about how this moment should be a fun day for her, his eyebrows knitted together even tighter, almost merging as one.
"Why are you still chasing us?! We literally have your knife!" Suddenly, Kian shot a yell at his back while running.
"I don't care! Let go of that girl!"
Archelle's steps faltered.
"Hah..."
"Archelle?" Asked Kian concerned but with a hint of disbelief.
"It's fine, we'll talk it out. We got his knife anyways." She held the knife to show him. She looked convincingly calm, he would've believed her if he didn't know her any better.
"Haah, gasp!..ha.."
The guy caught up to them, he can't tell if his face was flushed from the unexpected exercise they did together or flushed from anger.
Obviously, it's the latter because his contorted face almost looked unrecognizable.
He began reaching out to Archelle but Kian instinctively hid her behind him.
"Who are you? And why did you attacked my little sister?!"
The guy clenched his fist into a ball and frowned. His jaw was clenched so tight as if it was sealed, and honestly, it felt a little unpleasant to the eye.
Then the guy chuckled exaggeratedly to himself before barking back "Ask her yourself!"
Kian turned his head back to Archelle and saw her avoiding his gaze. He let out a long sigh then ran his hands through his hair, messing it up, before speaking up again.
"I don't know what kind of stunt she pulled, but...is it really that bad to the point it's enough to justify what you did?"
"Tsk! If you only knew what she did–"
"It's between us, Harvey." Archelle interrupted and walked closer to the guy, Kian held her arms in an attempt to stop her.
"It's okay. We'll just talk."
"No, stay here" He said with his gaze fixed on the guy in front of them.
"I get that you're worried but–"
"Archelle, I know it's none of my business, but atleast listen to me. Okay?" He looked at her and patted her hair, in which Archelle clicked her tongue at, even jerking her head away at him.
"You, step back a little then both of you will have your talk here, I'll listen." He suggested.
"Here? On the sidewalk? Outside?" She said, rolling her eyes but Kian ignored her and nodded at the other guy to continue.
"This bitch scammed me." Harvey claimed.
"I did not!" Archelle rejected the accusation in high pitched voice.
"Liar!!"
"What the hell did you do, Archelle?" Kian asked, stepping in.
"I didn't do anything bad. It's not my fault that he–"
Before she could finish, a car swaying left and right cut her off, it's tires screeching sounded harmful to the ears.
The car swayed around at the road not stopping. Then it headed straight at the sidewalk, right where Archelle stood.
Kian saw the approaching car and intuitively shoved Archelle out of the way. The impact greatly hit his body with a loud thud. Thus, achieving exaggerated gasps from the crowd.
A heavy silence covered the crowd as if momentarily processing what just happened. Afterwards, the crowd quickly became loud as murmurs rised and spread out. A mix of onlookers voiced their own concerns, fear, and opinions unnecessarily.
The situation happened rather too quick.
Just earlier, he was talking with his younger sister. And now, he's sprawled on the floor as if paralyzed.
His vision shook momentarily, he could hear a few murmurs on the crowd but despite them being loud, it felt like a whisper to him, specifically, it's like he's hearing underwater.
On his view, he could see the way they looked at him. Some filled with shock, a few panicked, and some with pity. Yet, his sole gaze remained imprinted on his younger sister, Archelle.
Her face was filled with a bewildered expression, it was something he rarely saw on her. She was mouthing something, but he can't hear anything due to the sudden loud ringing in his ears.
It was a very familiar scene.
Little by little, his eyelids started losing strength as if he's suddenly washed over by the heavy urge to sleep.
He wanted to get up but his body won't budge. So, he tried his best to use his remaining strength to keep his eyes open.
He muttered something to Archelle.
"Haah...please call the damn ambulance first or, cough...else I'll die of blood loss."
His wandering eyes caught a glimpse of Harvey, who was reaching for his phone as if he heard what he said. The guy placed the phone on his ears.
It felt ironic because he actually hoped that Harvey would call an ambulance for him.
Meanwhile, Archelle seemed to be panicking.
The car should've aimed for the other guy not at Archelle. Ah no, that's actually wrong.
That driver shouldn't have decided to drive a car today. It's irritating because now he's here, lying helplessly on the sidewalk.
Also, why isn't anyone calling for help? It's not like he's some art piece in a museum yet, they only kept on staring.
He's definitely gonna die at this point.
Even thought he's on the verge of dying, he's more anxious about the thought of Archelle being left alone than actually dying.
He bit his lips until it bled out, the iron taste of blood kept him awake for a second but his eyelids still felt heavy with each seconds passing by.
Ah, he can't pass out now. Not with that guy being here...
Contrary to his struggles, his vision blurred and his eyelids shut close.