You Ran Again

Imani POV

A surge of fear crashes over me, fierce and relentless. It hits all at once, sharp, suffocating, crawling up my spine. My hands tremble as I stumble back from him, instinctively creating space between us. My fingers won’t steady, shaking like he’s still right in front of me.

I quickly spot Alani in the crowd.

“Hey, I’m heading home,” I whisper into her ear over the thumping bass. The music feels louder now, too loud, like it’s pressing into my head.

She pulls back, eyes searching mine. “What happened with Zion?” she asks softly.

I shake my head, struggling to keep my voice steady. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Because if I start, I won’t be able to stop.

“Okay, do you want me to leave with you?” she offers.

I quickly refuse. “No, I need a minute alone. I’m getting an Uber back.” I need space. Air. Somewhere he isn’t watching me.

I hug her, along with Harmony and Sky, holding them tight. A little tighter than normal. Like I’m grounding myself. Like I need to feel something real.

“I’ll catch up later. Thanks for a great night,” I say, heading for the door.

His gaze burns into my back, heavy… unmoving… like it’s physically holding me in place, but I refuse to turn around.

If he wants to find me, he will, and that thought terrifies me even more.

Coming back was a mistake; now I feel constantly watched.

At school, I could forget who I was running from, but Zion had shifted from the boy I crushed on, to the man I fell for, and now, to someone I barely recognize, wielding terrifying power.

Just the thought of him makes my skin crawl. Like something cold brushing over me that won’t go away.

I lean against the wall outside the club, waiting for my ride, nerves shredded, eyes darting into every shadow. Every car slowing down. Every figure lingering too long. Every sound making my chest tighten.

I see King step out of the club.

He spots me instantly.

Of course he does.

But I hold my ground.

I know King won’t hurt me, that’s what I tell myself.

Do I trust him?

Nope.

Not anymore.

He approaches with a smirk.

“You know you only make it worse when you fight him, right?” he says firmly.

Confusion furrows my brow. My heart is still racing, trying to catch up with what he’s even saying.

“Fight him about what, King? When I left for school, I was only seventeen. Your brother was my brother’s best friend who I had a crush on. He was already a grown man when I left,” I reply breathlessly. My words come out too fast, like I’m trying to make sense of something that never made sense.

“I thought he only entertained me because I was Jalen’s sister. How was I supposed to know he staked some kind of claim on me?” I ask finally, turning to face him.

He stays silent, jaw clenched, eyes darting around before he responds. Not at me, around me. Watching. Always watching.

“Look, Imani, you might not want Zion that way anymore, but to him, you’ve been his since we were kids. I’m not saying you have to be with him, but try to keep your distance from other men,” he advises.

I square my shoulders.

“Do you even hear how crazy that sounds?” I say, my voice rising slightly. Frustration breaking through the fear for just a second.

“I can’t get close to a man without your brother threatening to kill him out of jealousy,” I snap, just as my ride pulls up.

Perfect timing. Or maybe not.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. And if you run into that guy you were dancing with tonight, it’s in your and his best interest to stay away from him,” he adds, turning back into the club.

Like that’s normal. Like that’s just advice, not a threat.

My head spins.

I climb into the car, resting my forehead on the seat’s back. The leather is cool, but it doesn’t calm me. Nothing does.

Coming home feels like the worst mistake I’ve ever made, next to ever meeting Zion.

My phone buzzes suddenly in my hand. I quickly glance down. Zion. A message flashes onto the screen. [You ran again.] My breath catches, a strange weight settling in my chest. Something about that message feels final, like next time… he won’t let me.