JAY-JAY POV
It happened too fast.
Keifer's arm shot forward, his fist connecting with Ram's jaw. The crack echoed through the abandoned hotel, Ram stumbling back with a snarl.
They were fighting, raw and brutal, every blow fueled by Keifer's rage and Ram's twisted obsession.
I didn't even notice when twenty other figures slipped in from the shadows — until they were on him.
Suddenly, Keifer was outnumbered. Fists slammed into his ribs, his back, his shoulders. He staggered but refused to fall, his jaw clenched, eyes blazing with defiance.
"Please, let him go!" I begged, my voice breaking, tears streaming down my face.
Ram turned toward me, his lip bleeding, his smile cruel. "Shut the fuck up!" he roared, his voice echoing like thunder.
I flinched, my heart pounding, but I couldn't stop myself. "He's hurt! Stop it!"
Keifer grunted, forcing himself upright even as the two men rained blows on him. He spat blood, glaring at Ram. "You'll never take her from me."
Ram sneered, circling closer. "You think you can fight me and my men? You're just one man, Keifer. One man against three."
But even as he said it, I saw the fire in Keifer's eyes. He wasn't giving up. Not for me. Not for Keth. Not for anyone.
And in that moment, even as fear clawed at my chest, I believed him.
Then the door burst open.
Percy.
"Jay!" His voice cut through the chaos. He rushed straight to me, his hands fumbling with the ropes that bound my wrists. The coarse fibers burned against my skin as he pulled them loose.
"You're free," Percy whispered urgently, his eyes locking with mine. "Stay low."
I gasped, rubbing my wrists, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Percy…"
But he was already moving, charging toward the fight.
"Keifer!" he shouted, tackling one of the men who had been pummeling him. Fists flew, bodies slammed against broken furniture, the sound of the struggle shaking the abandoned hotel.
Together, Keifer and Percy fought side by side — Keifer's strikes precise and furious, Percy's movements wild but relentless. For a moment, hope flickered in my chest.
But then — a deafening crack split the air.
Keifer jerked, his body stiffening. Blood bloomed across his side, soaking through his shirt. He staggered, clutching the wound, his eyes wide with shock.
"Keifer!" I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat.
Percy froze, horror flashing across his face. "Bro, you've been shot!"
Ram smirked, lowering the gun, his voice dripping with venom. "See? Even your hero bleeds."
Keifer's jaw tightened, his voice ragged but fierce. "I'm not… done yet."
He forced himself upright, blood soaking his shirt, still standing between me and Ram. Even shot, even broken, he refused to let go.
And in that moment, I realized — Keifer would fight until his last breath if it meant keeping me safe.
Percy's fist connected with Ram's jaw, the sound sharp and final. Ram crumpled to the floor, knocked out cold.
For a heartbeat, the room was silent. Then I saw Keifer.
He staggered, his body giving way, and collapsed.
I ran to him, my knees hitting the dusty floor. "Keifer, hey… hey!" My voice cracked, tears spilling down my cheeks.
His hand trembled as it reached for mine. "Jay… don't cry, please." His voice was weak, but his eyes still held that fire.
Percy rushed over, panic flashing across his face. "Jay, we have to take him to the hospital. Now."
I nodded quickly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. Together, Percy and I lifted Keifer, his weight heavy, his blood soaking through my fingers. We stumbled out of the abandoned hotel, every step feeling like forever, and got him into the car.
"Jay…" Keifer's voice was faint, but it pulled me back.
"I'm here. I'm not leaving," I said firmly, gripping his hand as Percy started the engine.
His eyes fluttered, his breath shallow. "Please, Jay… I know I promised not to leave."
My chest tightened, fear clawing at me. "Shut up," I snapped, my voice breaking. "You're not leaving. If you die, I swear I'll kill you myself."
A weak smile tugged at his lips, even through the pain. "That's… my Jay."
I squeezed his hand tighter, refusing to let go. "Stay with me, Keifer. Just stay."
The car sped through the night, Percy's knuckles white on the wheel, my tears falling silently as I held Keifer's hand like it was the only thing keeping him alive.
His voice was weak, trembling, but it still cut straight into me. "I know I hurt you," Keifer whispered, his breath shallow. "Please, Jay… tell Keth I love him."
My chest tightened, tears burning my eyes. "No. You tell him that. He'll love it if he hears it from you."
His hand squeezed mine faintly, his lips trembling. "Please, Jay… listen to me. If I di—"
I silenced him with a kiss, desperate, fierce. "You promised not to leave. You're not leaving."
His eyelids fluttered, heavy, threatening to close. Panic surged through me. I lightly slapped his cheeks, forcing him to stay awake. "Keif, we're almost here. Please… just a little bit longer."
His gaze locked on mine, soft but burning with love even through the pain. "I love you, Jay… until scientists find the end of the universe."
The words shattered me. I kissed him again, tears spilling freely. "I love you too, Keifer. So damn much. Please don't leave me."
His blood stained my hands, his weight heavy against me, but I refused to let go. Percy's knuckles were white on the steering wheel, the car racing through the night.
Every second felt like a battle. Every breath he took was a victory.
And I held onto him, whispering over and over, "Stay with me, Keifer. Please… stay."
We reached the hospital.
The car screeched to a halt, Percy leaping out before the engine even stopped. His voice tore through the night. "Help! We need help now!"
Doctors and nurses rushed toward us, their faces sharp with focus. The doors swung open, and in seconds they were pulling Keifer from the back seat.
I clung to his hand until they forced me to let go. "No—please, I'm not leaving him!" My voice cracked, desperation spilling out.
"Ma'am, we need space," one of the nurses said firmly, already pressing gauze against Keifer's wound.
Percy grabbed my shoulders, grounding me. "Jay, they've got him. He's in good hands now."
But my chest felt like it was collapsing. Watching them wheel him away, blood staining the sheets, his face pale, I couldn't breathe.
"Keifer!" I screamed, trying to follow, but Percy held me back.
Keifer's head turned weakly on the stretcher, his eyes searching for me. "Jay…" His voice was faint, but I heard it.
"I'm here!" I cried, tears streaming down my face. "I'm not leaving!"
The doctors pushed him through the emergency doors, their voices urgent, calling out medical terms I couldn't understand.
I stood frozen, my hands trembling, Percy's grip steady on my arm.
The world felt like it was spinning, but one thought anchored me:
Keifer was still alive.
And I wasn't going anywhere.
In no time, Keiran, Keigan, Mama, Papa, and little Keth came rushing in. Their faces were pale, their eyes wide with fear.
"Ate, what happened? Are you okay?" Keiran asked, his voice trembling.
I opened my mouth, but no words came. Tears filled my eyes, choking me. I could only shake my head.
"Mama, where is Papa?" Keth whispered, clutching her hand.
Mama bent down, her voice soft but steady. "Papa is here, just in that room." She answered for me, because I couldn't.
Papa's gaze was sharp, heavy with worry. "How did it happen?" he asked.
Percy stepped forward, his voice tight, explaining everything — the abandoned hotel, Ram, the fight, the gunshot. Every word made my chest ache deeper.
Keigan crouched beside me, his hand on my shoulder. "Ate, it's okay. He will be fine. He's strong." His voice was gentle, but I could hear the fear hiding underneath.
I didn't answer. I couldn't.
Instead, I sank into the chair, my body trembling. My hands shook as I stared down at them.
Keifer's blood.
It was smeared across my palms, dried and dark, clinging to my skin like a memory I couldn't wash away.