As Kavei leapt toward the window, determined to escape, the glass suddenly slid back up with a mechanical hiss, cutting off his route. He skidded to a halt, inches from the pane, his breath sharp in his throat. For a brief moment, he stood frozen, glaring at his reflection, until a sharp huff from the front of the van drew his attention.

The driver’s dark, glinting eyes stared back at him through the rearview mirror. His face was obscured in clothes, but Kavei could see the tension in his jaw as he winced, as though frustrated that Kavei was still fighting.

"You," the driver said, his voice cold, distorted—metallic, like a broken radio transmission. "I don't care who you are." His fingers clenched the steering wheel tighter. "But I am getting that kid."

Before Kavei could respond, the van jerked to a violent stop, tires screeching against the pavement. The sudden brake sent Kavei flying forward, barely managing to catch himself with his palms before his head could smash against the cold metal floor. His heart thudded wildly against his ribs as he scrambled back to his feet, every muscle in his body tense, ready for a fight.

But instead of attacking, the driver shoved the door open and leapt out. The metal creaked under the force of his movements. Kavei lunged for the door, but it slammed shut behind the man, locking Kavei inside.

“Damn it!” Kavei cursed under his breath, clicking his tongue in frustration. His eyes darted around for another exit. Then he spotted it—the window on the driver's side, still open from where the man had climbed out.

Without wasting another second, Kavei lunged over the front seat and snatched the knife that had been left there. His fingers wrapped tightly around its handle as he vaulted himself through the narrow opening.

He tumbled out of the van, hitting the grassy edge hard. His body rolled awkwardly down the slope, a sharp pain tearing through his right leg as it smacked against a hidden rock. Gritting his teeth, Kavei pushed himself upright, panting, the knife still clutched in his trembling hand. His right ankle throbbed, already beginning to swell, but he forced himself to stand, leaning slightly to one side.

Ahead of him, the driver was already sprinting away, heading straight for Hashi.

"Hey! Hashi!" Kavei shouted, his voice raw, cracking from the effort. He limped forward as fast as his body would allow, every step shooting fire up his leg. "Run, run! Get out of here! Go straight back!"

Hashi, who had been standing frozen on the path, turned wide, frightened eyes toward Kavei. For a moment, Hashi hesitated, unsure whether to stay or run.

“Go!!” Kavei barked, desperation thick in his voice.

Finally, Hashi seemed to snap out of it and bolted, feet pounding against the dirt path.

The driver, hearing Kavei's warning, flicked a quick glance over his shoulder, his face a twisted mask of determination and malice. Then he surged forward with greater speed, closing the distance between himself and Hashi.

"No..." Kavei whispered under his breath, panic rising. His heart hammered so loudly it drowned out everything else—the sound of the wind, the distant cars, even his own ragged breathing.

The pain in his ankle was excruciating, but Kavei pushed on, teeth clenched so hard his jaw ached. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but he couldn't stop—not now, not when Hashi was still in danger.

From the depths of his memory, a voice echoed—calm but firm, like someone who had taught him to survive.

"There are not many ways a person can save the one being chased. If you have something to throw, throw it. And if nothing, then use your shoes."

Kavei's steps faltered. His hand tightened around the handle of the knife. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he sucked in air, trying to calm the shaking of his body.

He exhaled sharply, coming to a sudden stop.

His dark eyes fixed on the figure of the driver, who was closing in on Hashi.

Without thinking any further, Kavei lifted the knife. His fingers trembled, but his grip was firm. He raised it high above his head, his body swaying slightly as pain lanced up his swollen leg.

"Please," he whispered, eyes narrowing, "let this work."

He shut his eyes for a split second, steeling himself, then opened them with a sharp breath. His arm swung forward with all the strength he had left, sending the knife flying through the air.

The blade whirred as it cut through the wind, spinning with deadly force, before it slammed into the driver’s leg with a dull thud.

The man let out a strangled, guttural cry, his leg buckling beneath him as he crashed to the ground.

"RUN, HASHI!!" Kavei roared, the sound filled with urgency and fear.

Hashi looked back, wide-eyed, before nodding quickly and continuing to sprint, his small figure disappearing down the path.

Kavei didn’t give himself a moment to rest. Ignoring the pounding pain in his ankle, he forced himself to move, limping quickly past the fallen man, every step fueled by sheer adrenaline.

But behind him, a low growl broke out.

The driver, gritting his teeth and groaning in agony, forced himself back up. He yanked the knife out of his own leg, blood dripping down his pants. His hand shook as he gripped the blade, but rage burned in his eyes—feral and wild.

Kavei glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the man lunging after him, knife raised like a madman, mouth twisted into a snarl.

"Shit..." Kavei hissed, pushing himself to move faster, his mind racing.

The chase wasn’t over yet.

"Stop! Both of you, stop!" the man barked from behind, his voice a mix of rage and desperation as he chased them down.

Kavei's heart thudded violently against his ribs as he ran, every step sending a jolt of agony through his swollen leg. Sweat dripped from his temple, mixing with the dirt smeared across his face. His breaths were sharp and uneven now, like knives in his chest.

Glancing back over his shoulder, Kavei's eyes widened slightly, his jaw clenching at the sight—the man was still running. Even with a knife wound lodged deep in his leg, blood soaking into his pants, he was closing in fast, his eyes wild with determination.

What the hell is he made of? Kavei's mind raced as his legs pumped forward, fighting against the burn in his muscles.

But his lungs... they were failing him. Every gasp for air felt thinner, like he was drowning on dry land.

"You shouldn't push yourself too hard, Kavei."

Maone's words echoed bitterly in his mind.

Still, he couldn't stop—not when Hashi was still in danger.

"Stop, or I'll get your friends!!!" the man shouted, his voice tearing through the night like a jagged blade.

Kavei's steps faltered for a split second as he whipped his head around, eyes narrowing.

"What?" he panted, voice low but sharp, laced with confusion and dread.

The man glared back at him, his teeth bared like a cornered animal. "Kai. Himeko. Saira. And the others. I'll get them all!" he screamed, spit flying from his mouth as his eyes burned with ferocity. "If you don't stop!"

The words sank like ice into Kavei's veins, and for a moment, fear almost swallowed him whole. How does he know them? His mind whirled, throat tightening as the weight of the threat pressed down on him.

But even with panic clenching his chest, Kavei's eyes sharpened with determination. No way in hell was he going to let this man get to them.

He turned his gaze forward, locking it on the small figure running ahead of him—Hashi, glancing back with teary, wide eyes, his breath coming out in sharp gasps.

"There's a cab!" Kavei suddenly called out, his voice hoarse but loud enough to reach Hashi. "A yellow cab! Just up ahead! Get in the cab, Hashi!"

Hashi looked back again, face pale and stained with tears, but he nodded quickly, wiping his arm across his face before pushing himself to run faster.

Behind them, the man's footsteps grew louder, like thunder chasing them down.

Kavei's thoughts spun, panic racing through his mind as he gasped, "My friends... How does he know them?" His fingers dug into the side of his jeans, reaching for his phone.

With shaky hands, Kavei yanked the phone out of his pocket, nearly fumbling it, but kept running, legs burning with the effort. His thumb swiped quickly over the screen, pulling up the emergency dial. He didn't even need to unlock it—just pressed the number he knew by heart.

But before he could hit call, a sharp, chilling sensation crawled up his spine—like the electric prickle of being watched, hunted.

Instinct screamed at him.

"Hashi!! Duck!!!" Kavei roared, loud and broken from the strain.

Without a second's hesitation, Hashi dropped down, nearly tripping over his own feet. Kavei did the same, throwing himself low to the ground just as a flash of silver whizzed past their heads.

Thud!

The knife landed hard on the road just ahead of Kavei, its handle still vibrating from the force of the throw.

Kavei's eyes locked on it. His body reacted before his mind could catch up. He lunged forward, snatching the blade from the ground, his hand wrapping tight around its handle.

"Run! Run!!" he shouted to Hashi, his voice breaking.

His legs screamed in agony, but Kavei forced them to move. He sprinted—if it could even be called that now—limping heavily but keeping pace. He reached Hashi within seconds and grabbed the boy’s arm firmly, yanking him up and pushing him forward.

Together, they ran side by side, Kavei half-dragging Hashi as much as pushing himself. His breath was raw, like sandpaper scraping his throat.

With one hand clutching the knife, Kavei used the other to finally press the call button on his phone and hit the speaker button, holding it close to his mouth as they ran.

The line rang once. Twice.

Pick up, Kai. Please, pick up.

"Kavei?" Kai's voice came through, calm but confused. "Where are you? What's going—"

"LISTEN TO ME!" Kavei yelled into the speaker, the desperation and fear making his voice sharp and unrecognizable even to himself. "All of you STAY in my house! You hear me?! Lock every door! Lock every damn window!"

There was a pause on the other end, Kai’s breath catching. "Kavei, what's happening—"

"Tell Benio we're leaving!" Kavei cut in, his voice shaking, tears of frustration burning his eyes. "Tell him to pack everything—everything, Kai! Tell him to meet me at the train station!"

"Kavei, slow down! What's going on—"

But Kavei was already pulling Hashi harder, running like the devil himself was behind them—because he was.

His hand tightened around the phone, the line still open, as his other hand gripped the knife like a lifeline.

He couldn't let that man get to his friends.

No matter what.