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Shiro stood ominously in front of Reana, the cold menace in his glowing blue eyes pinning her in place. Her heart pounded, her mind racing. Desperation surged through her, and without a second thought, she bolted to the side, her hand reaching for a hidden button on her kitchen table—a panic trigger.
But Shiro moved with lightning speed, gripping her wrist tightly before she could press it.
"No, no, no," Shiro said with a mocking smile, his tone dark. "You'd better not do that."
With a terrifying show of strength, he flung her across the room, sending her crashing into the wall. Reana gasped as the wind was knocked from her lungs, pain radiating through her body. She slumped momentarily, struggling to catch her breath.
Gritting her teeth, Reana's eyes blazed with defiance. "I won't let a creep like you leave here alive."
Her body erupted in a bright red glow, her conjure flaring to life. With a sudden burst of speed, she dashed past Shiro in a blur, her feet barely touching the ground. Before Shiro could react, she reached the table and slammed her hand onto the button.
"Fuck!" Shiro shouted in frustration, his composure breaking as the room around him began to shake.
Without wasting another second, Reana leaped toward the window, smashing through the glass just as the room exploded behind her. The deafening blast filled the air, flames and debris following her out of the building.
Her body continued to glow as she descended, her conjure forming a protective layer around her. She landed hard, slamming into the foam bed that had inflated just before impact, absorbing the fall. Gasping for breath, she quickly scrambled to her feet, shaken but alive.
She looked up at the now-damaged building, watching smoke and fire pour from the window.
"I have to get help," she muttered, anger and worry lacing her voice. "Damn it."