Love Alarm
The night had grown colder, the stillness of the park replaced by a tense silence. The scent of damp earth and wet leaves filled the air, clinging to Edward's skin as he and Mabel lay behind the fence, hidden by the thick underbrush. Their breathing was heavy, mingling with the distant hum of the city, but Edward couldn't shake the pounding in his chest. His mind raced with the events that had just unfolded-the SUV, the chase, and the narrow escape through the gap in the fence.
Mabel sat upright, wrapping her arms around her knees as she tried to steady herself. Her dark hair was tangled from the sprint, and a light sheen of sweat clung to her brow. The fear in her eyes was undeniable, but it was the weariness beneath that hit Edward the hardest. She had been running from this her entire life.
"I thought... I thought they had me this time," she whispered, her voice raw.
Edward leaned forward, resting his hand gently on her back. He could feel the tension in her muscles, her body still trembling from the close call. "We're okay now. We got away."
"For now," Mabel muttered, shaking her head. "They won't stop, Edward. They never stop."
Edward's jaw tightened as he looked at her. He had seen Mabel handle pressure before-whether it was schoolwork or petty high school drama-but this was something far deeper, far more dangerous. She was strong, but even he could see the cracks in her armor.
"We'll find a way out of this," he said, his voice firm, but Mabel didn't look convinced.
She glanced at him, her eyes searching his face for something-perhaps reassurance, maybe even hope-but instead, she saw the same stubborn determination that had gotten him involved in her dangerous world to begin with. A part of her hated it, the part that wanted to protect him from the storm swirling around her, but another part of her... felt something different. A longing. Maybe she had been wrong to push him away.
"I've been on my own for so long," she admitted, her voice softer now. "I didn't want to drag you into this, Edward."
Edward let out a small laugh, though there was no humor in it. "You didn't drag me into anything. I came willingly. I care about you, Mabel. I always have."
Mabel's breath caught, and for a moment, the danger seemed to fade into the background. She looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the boy she had once teased in class, the one who had always been there for her no matter what. And now, despite everything, he was still here-fighting for her, even when she didn't have the strength to fight for herself.
"I don't deserve you," she whispered, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Edward's brow furrowed, confusion flashing in his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Mabel swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "You deserve someone who isn't constantly looking over her shoulder, someone who isn't being hunted by a criminal organization."
"That's not for you to decide," Edward replied, his voice firm but gentle. He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "I'm not going anywhere, Mabel. No matter how hard you try to push me away."
Mabel's heart twisted in her chest. She had spent so long convincing herself that love was a luxury she couldn't afford, that letting someone in would only put them in danger. But now, sitting here with Edward, she felt her resolve beginning to crumble.
"I don't know how to stop them," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't know how to make this go away."
Edward took her hand, squeezing it gently. "We'll figure it out together. I promise."
---
The two of them sat in silence for a while, the weight of everything pressing down on them. As the adrenaline began to wear off, Edward's thoughts drifted back to the moments before the SUV had appeared-before the chaos and fear had taken over. He thought about what Mabel had told him, about the Order and her family's past. He still had so many questions, so many things he didn't understand.
"Mabel," he began, his voice hesitant. "Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"
Mabel let out a heavy sigh, resting her chin on her knees. "Because I didn't want you to look at me the way you're looking at me now."
Edward frowned. "How am I looking at you?"
"Like you're afraid for me," she replied, her eyes flicking up to meet his. "Like you're... I don't know, like you're trying to figure out how to fix something that can't be fixed."
Edward opened his mouth to protest, but Mabel cut him off.
"I didn't want to be your problem, Edward. I didn't want you to get hurt."
Edward's expression softened as he looked at her, his heart aching at the vulnerability in her voice. "You're not my problem, Mabel. You're my friend. And I care about you. I just... I wish you didn't have to go through this alone."
Mabel blinked back the tears that had begun to well up in her eyes. She had been strong for so long, but hearing those words from Edward made her feel something she hadn't felt in a long time: safe.
"I don't know what to do anymore," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so tired, Edward. I'm tired of running, tired of looking over my shoulder, tired of pretending like everything's okay when it's not."
Edward shifted closer, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "You don't have to do this alone anymore," he said softly. "We'll figure it out. We'll find a way."
Mabel leaned into his embrace, closing her eyes as she let herself believe-if only for a moment-that maybe things could be different. Maybe she didn't have to carry this burden alone.
---
The peaceful moment between them was short-lived, however, as the sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel path behind them shattered the quiet. Edward's body tensed immediately, his senses on high alert. He turned, scanning the darkness for the source of the noise.
"Mabel, we need to go," he whispered urgently, pulling her to her feet.
Mabel's heart raced as she stood, her eyes wide with fear. "Do you think it's them?"
"I don't know," Edward admitted, his gaze sweeping the shadows. "But we can't stay here to find out."
They began to move quickly, keeping low as they darted through the trees. The park was large, but the fence they had slipped through earlier didn't offer much protection if someone knew they were there. As they hurried through the underbrush, Edward's mind raced with a million different thoughts. Who were the footsteps? Had the Order found them again so soon? Or was it someone else entirely?
The footsteps behind them grew louder, closer. Whoever was following them wasn't being subtle anymore. Edward glanced at Mabel, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Run," he whispered.
They took off, sprinting through the park as fast as their legs would carry them. The trees blurred around them, and the cool night air bit at their skin as they raced toward the edge of the park. But the footsteps were relentless, closing in on them with every passing second.
Edward could feel his lungs burning, but he didn't slow down. He couldn't. Mabel was right beside him, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her eyes wide with panic. They had to get out of here. They had to escape.
As they reached the edge of the park, Edward spotted a narrow alleyway between two old buildings up ahead. It was dark and uninviting, but it was their only option.
"This way!" he shouted, pulling Mabel toward the alley.
They ducked into the alley, the darkness swallowing them whole. The sound of their pursuer's footsteps echoed behind them, growing louder with each passing moment. Edward's heart pounded in his ears as he and Mabel pressed themselves against the brick wall, trying to catch their breath.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then, the footsteps stopped.
Edward held his breath, his body tense. He could feel Mabel trembling beside him, her hand gripping his tightly. They were so close to being caught, so close to whatever danger lurked in the shadows. But the silence stretched on, and the footsteps never resumed.
After what felt like an eternity, Edward finally exhaled, his muscles relaxing slightly. He glanced at Mabel, who was still clutching his hand, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear.
"Do you think... do you think they're gone?" she whispered.
Edward nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure. "I think so. But we need to be careful."
They waited a few moments longer, their ears straining for any sign of danger. But the alley remained quiet, the footsteps gone.
"Come on," Edward said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's get out of here."
They slipped out of the alley, their bodies tense and their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of their pursuer. But the park was empty, the city quiet once more.
Edward and Mabel exchanged a look, relief flooding through them as they realized they had narrowly escaped-again. But as they walked away
from the park, neither of them could shake the feeling that this was far from over.
To be continued....