Dane's POV:
I didn't respond. I just gave a small nod, trying to convince myself to believe it. But somewhere deep inside, a dark premonition crawled up quietly like smoke. A stillness too calm before a storm. A feeling I knew all too well from the years beside Vincent, the deceptive peace of a blade right before it strikes.
Then, suddenly, a loud crash exploded as if something massive slammed into the front of the car. The impact was so strong the whole vehicle lurched violently. I was thrown forward, my shoulder slamming into the seat, a cry of pain escaping my lips. The acrid smell of burning rubber and hot metal rushed up my nose. Vichy screamed, grabbing my arm, while the driver hastily yanked the steering wheel, the car skidding sideways before coming to a stop with a harsh screech.
My heart hammered wildly. It took me several seconds to realize I was still alive. Wind roared through the small gap in the door, carrying a cold so sharp it felt like a thousand tiny blades slicing my skin."What happened?!" I snapped, though my trembling voice betrayed me.
The driver, a burly middle-aged man took a deep breath, wiping sweat off his forehead."Maybe… a deer. Or something rolled down from the slope. I'll get out and check."
I nodded, heart still pounding, head spinning. Why did I have such a terrible feeling? It didn't feel like we hit a log or a deer at all but something far worse.
But what could I do? All I could do now was wait.
My hands curled tighter as the driver opened the door. The hinge gave a dry, hollow clack, then the wind blew it open. His breath fogged into the night air as he stepped out. The door closed again, leaving only the howling wind and the crunch of his footsteps on the snow. I turned toward Vichy, about to say something when...
BANG!
A gunshot ripped the night apart. Everything happened in an instant. A burst of sparks flashed in the darkness like lightning, and then the heavy thud of the driver's body crashed into the snow. Blood sprayed across the window, splattering it with red blotches like crushed petals.
I froze. My ears rang, vision blurring, throat tightening as if a rope had been yanked around my neck. Vichy shrieked, her hands trembling as she slapped them over her mouth, tears spilling instantly.
I turned my head, rigid as stone. The driver lay face-down near the front of the car, half his body buried in the snow. Blood streamed from his back, steaming faintly in the freezing air. The gun smoke still hadn't cleared.
The air inside the car turned thick. I didn't dare breathe too hard, staring blankly through the windshield. Then, under the pale yellow headlights, several figures slowly emerged. They stood in a straight line, walking forward at a steady pace, their black shoes half-sunken into the snow. The light reflected off their coats all black suits, perfectly buttoned, sharp seams.
At the center of them stood a man.
He wasn't wearing a hat. His dark hair was tousled by the wind, revealing a face half-lit by the headlights. He leaned casually against the hood, a half-burnt cigarette held between two fingers, white smoke curling around his wrist like fog. One leg rested on the bumper, his posture lazy but radiating an unnerving danger. His face was calm as if he were just waiting for a train. Only his eyes—a dull, emotionless gray were locked straight onto me through the glass.
A shiver shot through me. His gaze pierced through my skin like a thin blade touching my throat.
Vichy choked out, "M-Miss… who are they?"
Brian.
I didn't answer. Not because I didn't dare to but because my jaw had frozen from the sheer terror.Why was he here, appearing at this exact place? My trembling worsened as the thought struck me:the person I harmed was… Majori.Did he already know something? If he could plant a long-term spy like Captain, then he could easily have another, anyone I wouldn't recognize. Honestly, if not for Majori's fight, I would've never believed Captain was a spy at all.
Did he find out Majori was hurt? Did he come here to avenge her? Everyone knew how deeply Brian loved Majori. Rumor had it he was cruel and merciless to the world, but gentle toward Majori alone willing to do anything for her.
Thinking about that, my hand hidden under my coat clenched tightly.Why could Majori find someone who loved her like that, and I couldn't?Why… why wouldn't the man I gave all my feelings to turn back to look at me even once?What did Majori do? What did she have that made two extraordinary men give her their whole hearts?
Seeing me frozen like a statue, Vichy panicked further, shaking me.
"M-Miss… Miss…!"
I didn't respond. I just stared at the man standing in the middle of them. He was familiar of course he was. Brian lifted his head, took a slow drag of his cigarette, and exhaled calmly. The serenity of someone far too used to seeing others tremble before him.
He raised a hand.
Immediately, two guards stepped out of the line. Their shoes scraped across the snow with an eerie screech. One approached my door and knocked three times a deep, heavy sound.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Each knock felt like a pinch straight to my heart.
"Lady Dane," his voice came from outside, cold and unnervingly clear,"please step out of the car. Lord Brian wishes to see you."
I knew it wasn't a request, it was an order.An order no one refused.
"No…" I whispered, my voice cracking, "no, I'm not going out there. Tell them to drive, Vichy! Drive!"
Vichy looked around frantically. "M-Miss… I don't know how to drive, I… I…"
Right. The driver was dead. No one left in the car knew how to drive.But wasn't it just holding the wheel and pressing the gas?I could do it. I could do it. I'd rather risk crashing the car than step outside to face that demon.
Shrugging off Vichy's trembling hand clutching me, I climbed into the driver's seat. Everything felt foreign. I stomped on the pedals, fumbled with the wheel.As long as it moved, just moved, I would run them over if I had to.
But the car didn't budge.I shifted the gear again and again, pressed every pedal even though I couldn't tell which was gas or brake the car stayed completely still.
I burst into tears, slamming my fists into the wheel."Damn it! Move!"But the engine sputtered weakly a few times, then died.
Outside, the figures were getting closer.
"Step out, Lady Dane." The man's voice remained steady, like he was speaking to a stubborn child."Don't make me ask again."
I clenched my fists, shaking my head violently."No! I'm not going anywhere! I'm waiting for Vincent, he's coming for me any moment now!"
A brief silence.
Then...
SLAM!