After The Escape Novels & Stories

They had to escape, and soon, everything would change. After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at Karla's home. It was a simple place, far removed from the lavishness of the prison they had just left. But in this moment, it felt like a sanctuary. Slowly, they began to solidify, their bodies slowly returning to their usual forms. Cielo's hands were trembling as he looked around, his eyes wide with disbelief. Miguel stood next to him, his arms crossed over his chest, looking equally stunned.

“Now we can move on to leisure.” “And why do I feel like we’ve just picked someone even worse than Nufira?” Yafi exhaled heavily, and we silently rode deeper into the celebration.

She locked herself in her room, tearing at her hair and crying out, "It wasn't me! It's all Lydia's fault! She seduced Leonard!" Soon after, she went completely insane. Her family dumped her in the Lunatic Valley on the edge of the forest. Having lost protection, she was wantonly violated by Rogues. The explicit scenes became entertainment among the lower-ranking male wolves. The banished Leonard fared no better. Andes had no intention of letting him freeze to death in the snow. He had long ago sent men to watch Leonard. They would throw him a piece of meat when he was on the verge of starvation. If he ate it, he would be beaten until he threw it up.

The jet that fell into the Atlantic hadn’t been carrying Valeria at all. It had been flown remotely — an empty shell, staged to disappear. If that was true, then Valeria had planned everything from the start. She hadn’t died. She’d escaped. If Clara was here— then Valeria had to be here too.

“I… I’m trying!” Rico’s voice cut through the chaos. “We need to get out of here! The structure won’t hold much longer!” The building groaned. Sparks flew from broken machinery. The roof threatened to collapse. Aiden grabbed Luca’s arm. “Move! Now!” --- Escape The four of them—Aiden, Luca, Wolf, and Rico—raced through the crumbling building. Energy arced from Luca’s hands, disintegrating debris in their path. Darius recovered, rising from the rubble, eyes blazing with fury. “You cannot escape me!” he roared, rushing toward them.

Z-03 blocked the alley with its massive body, taking the full brunt of the next nullifier pulse. Z-04 followed suit, slamming into position beside it. Alexander didn’t look back. He carried Lena into the shadowed street behind the alley. Elias dragged Jay. The two stabilizers held the line until the team disappeared around the corner. Only then did Z-03 turn, its voice deep and final: “We will regroup.” The nullifier screamed against their shields. Z-04 added: “This escape… will cost us.” But it held. Safety — For Now They didn’t stop running until they reached the outskirts of the town.

My escape had ended in utter defeat. -- In the days that followed, I got a new phone and made plans with Bella to meet for meals every day. I deliberately fed out some false information, yet I noticed Aaron made no move at all. It seemed he really wasn't tracking me anymore. He didn't bother me much either, just the occasional text to check in, sometimes asking if I'd join him for a meal. Other than not returning to the Celestia restaurant, everything seemed to return to its starting point. He was polite and restrained, careful in how he approached me.

I was taken to the hospital, and when I woke up, only a caretaker was with me. John and Sharon had gone abroad to participate in a racing competition. I looked down at the time; there were still 12 hours left. “Mom, do me a favor.” After sending the message, I ate a few bites of food. I asked the caretaker to take me for a walk nearby. When we passed the Bay Bridge, I said I wanted to see the scenery there. Taking advantage of her inattention, I jumped off. Closing my eyes, the moment I touched the river water, I whispered to myself: “John , goodbye.”

Planning. Waiting. Then I heard a sound. A voice. "Scarlett." I looked up. Elena was standing at the door. She had escaped. "Elena?" "I'm here." "How did you—" "Later. Let's go." I stood. We ran. Through the corridors. Through the chaos. Through the death. We reached the laboratory. Sarah was waiting. "Scarlett. I knew you'd escape." I stepped toward her. "It's over." "I don't think so."

I gripped my boarding pass, my knuckles turning white. Goodbye, Lord of Shadows. Goodbye, that foolish Aurora. I stepped into the boarding tunnel, not looking back. Outside the glass window behind me, the massive silver bird was waiting to carry me to freedom, to the man who had been waiting for me in Los Angeles—Lucian Ashford. Whether it's hell or heaven, as long as Kieran isn't there, anywhere is fine.