Chapter 5

Clover's POV

So this is how I die… well, I still hope not.

“I swear it’s not me! I know better than to call the cops!” I yelled but then choked because of the strong grip he had around my neck.

Oh, this is it. I have really done it. One of the stupidest possible ways to get killed is to stubbornly save a crime lord who then threatens to cut my throat open with a knife the moment he slightly recovers.

I’m starting to think I’m causing all the bad luck in my life.

“Bullshit!” He growls and I close my eyes when he almost literally bites my head off, pulling me closer to his face. “There’s no such thing as a coincidence in my dictionary—tell me who you’re working for,” he grits out. “Is it the Talons from last night? Or are you sent by the men from the Vex?” 

To me, he sounded like he’s speaking another language. Are those gang names? I haven’t even heard of such groups yet he continues to accuse me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

I felt tears welling in my eyes. Fear slowly takes over my being. I’m finding it hard to breathe little by little. “Please believe me,” I gasped, trembling.

His nails dug into my skin and he asked again, “Do you really want to test my thinning patience?”

The blade of the knife he was holding was cold on my skin when he pressed it on my neck. That knife was dull, it could barely cut through my bread, but right now, in his hands, it feels like he could slice me as easily as butter.

All of a sudden, there was a rustling sound at the door. We both looked at it at the same time, alarmed.

I was wishing that it’s the police but there was a rhythmic knock that followed. Then a voice, “Uno, this is Dos.”

I watched as the man, I assume goes by ‘Uno’, seemed to calm down a bit. It means that the other presence is good for him but definitely bad news for me.

‘Uno’ placed me down on the floor and I coughed, hastily breathing air in. I feel light-headed from the way he just strangled me.

“Come in,” he commands.

The doorknob rattled then clicked open, despite the fact that it was locked. Then, a man with messy brown hair entered. He has a scar on his right eye. 

“The police are nearing this area and they will surround this place in a few minutes,” he declared while he walked towards us.

“Are the others with you?” Uno asked. The guy, who I think is ‘Dos’, briefly glanced at me before looking back at his boss(?).

“Yes, we have getaway vehicles waiting for you outside,” he answered.

My eyes shifted between them. When I thought they were distracted with their talk, I took that slight pause and attempted to escape with a sprint. However, Uno was quick to grab my wrist before I could even step further away. 

“Let me go!” I yelled, full-on panicking, doing my best to shrug off his hand. I pulled my arm with all my might but to no avail. “Please! I just want to live peacefully... I won’t tell the police anything! You won’t hear from me ever again, I will act like nothing happened!” I begged.

His sharp gaze landed on me before he yanked me to his chest.

“Too late.” He lowered his head to mine. “You threw away that precious life of yours the moment you knew who I was,” says the guy I don’t even know the real name of yet!

It’s frustrating. He just refuses to listen… why is he so sure I’m his enemy? 

Although perhaps I should’ve seen this coming—it’s just that the events are happening way too fast before I could really think things through.

Uno dragged me with him towards the door, walking past his ally. “Take the others with you and distract the cops.” 

The latter automatically threw a set of keys that Uno caught without looking. They moved in a certain way that tells me they have a routine and they do this kind of thing a lot.

“We’ll meet at the den,” Uno adds and the three of us step out of my house.

I winced from the sudden light outside. No matter how much I try to remove his grip, I can’t. I thought of screaming but as if he has sixth sense, Uno warns, “Make a noise and I’ll silence you forever.”

I gulped and could only stare at his broad back.

There are three cars waiting for us. We stopped at the black one while Dos went to the separate vehicle with a machine that revved right away the moment he got inside. The two vans roared to life and drove ahead of us.

Uno opened the door of the smaller car left and pushed me inside. I squirmed and quickly tried to get out but of course, he slammed it with the door lock. He circled around to the driver’s seat.

At this point, I couldn’t help but speak out loud, “I know you’re planning something bad to me but in my final moments as your nurse, and in this world, I don’t think you should be driving in your current state.”

His injuries are something that won’t heal overnight. It’s already commendable that he can move at the present. Yet Uno doesn’t heed my words, simply giving me a bored look.

He didn’t speak and just started the engine. We drove away at speed. I thought everything would be peaceful, but once we reached the main road, I started hearing the distant sirens again. I looked back and saw one police car behind us.

Biting my lower lip, I put all my hopes in them catching us. It was my only chance… I don’t have my phone and I can’t jump off the moving vehicle.

I stared at Uno who was driving calmly. Should I clutch the steering wheel away? But we might crash or he could stab me… ugh, if I had known I’d live such a miserable life, I would’ve invested in more survival skills. 

My last resort was to turn to Uno and plead, “We have nowhere to go! Just surrender for now!”

Still, there was no stopping him. He just has an unbothered expression while he maneuvers down the road. I looked ahead to realize that we were entering the town’s pier.

Dear heavens, I don’t have a good feeling about this.

The dock stretched out in front of us, a dead end of weathered planks leading straight into the water. I gripped the dashboard. “What are you planning to do?!” I faced him in horror. “Jump in the ocean?!”

Who in their right mind would think that?

But when he glanced at me sideways with that glint in his eyes, I knew he was a mad man.

He really is aiming for the ocean!

Until now,  last night’s events feel like a fever dream—as if I dreamed myself into some action movie.

Except this movie doesn’t have a happy ending for me.

Because unsurprisingly, I’m a mere collateral damage not the main lead.

This would really be a great time to wake up…

I closed my eyes in fear and breathed out, “If I had known you were a suicidal maniac, I would’ve just left you there!” I screamed.

I think I heard a snicker before I felt the car soar.

At this point, I don’t think even prayers could save me.

And if by some miracle I do survive this, I swear next time I see a dying man… I’m walking the other way!