Page 118 of Caged

“Oh my god, I’m so happy to see you!” She says tearfully as she tenderly kisses his forehead. Her lips leave red stains against his temple.

This is why she came into my life. Because of her unrelenting love for him. I can’t help but notice the stump of his wrist wrapped in dirty gauze.

It makes my fists tighten.

My fucking father did that to him.

He’s just a kid for Christ’s sake.

“Mila? You’re bleeding.” He puts his finger to her lips. “Are you okay?” His green eyes, so similar to hers, flick to me and I see a shadow flicker across his face.

He’s more worried about her than himself? He must love her very much.

I know the feeling.

“I’m fine,” she says as she wipes tears away from her cheeks. “I can’t believe I-we found you.” She glances over her shoulder at me with a quivering smile. “That’s Nikolai. He’s a, well, special friend.”

The sounds of weapons grow louder. “Can you walk, Daniil?” I need to hurry up this reunion.

He nods as Mila stands.

Fuck, I hate seeing her limp. I wonder if the pain is catching up with her.

She’s so damn strong. But, I hope she doesn’t push herself too hard.

I can’t believe she helps him up when her own legs shake under her.

“Here, let me.” I grab a hold of his other arm and we work our way into the hallway.

We still have to make it out of here alive.

“How did you find me?” Daniil whispers.

“Nikolai helped me.” Mila pats just above his bandaged wrist. “This place is a maze. I couldn’t have done it without him.”

“How does he know this place so well?” Daniil leans on me less as he asks.

“I was raised here,” I grumble just as we step around the corner where the bodies of the two guards lie.

Ivan stands at the other end of the hall with the short man from earlier.

Daniil’s hand slips away from me. “You’re his…his…” he stammers, backing toward Mila.

“Hello, son.” Ivan raises a pistol and fires.

Pain scorches through my chest as I move to get between him and Mila. The impact rips through me as fire radiates through my arm.

Stumbling weakly, the machete falls from my numb fingers.

No, not like this.

Raising my gun, I fire wildly in his direction.

My vision blurs as I try to track him running away. Two more shots, and I can’t see him anymore.

“Nikolai!” I can hear Mila scream and feel her cool hands on my head. “Nikolai, no! Stay with me, moy liubimyi. I love you, you can’t leave me. Please, open your eyes. You promised me that we would fight this together.”

The darkness covers her face. But, I can see her in my mind. She has a radiant smile as she leans back on the hood of my Hellcat…

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