chapter 13

Amaira's world crumbled around her as Raya's words cut deeper than any knife. The betrayal stung, leaving her breathless and broken. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to escape the crushing weight of her best friend's deception."Enough," a low and menacing growl was heard.Just as Raya was about to unleash another venomous insult, Scar Boss emerged from the shadows of room 69, his presence commanding attention. His eyes, cold and unyielding, locked onto Amaira and who was blank. Amaira wasn't looking at him. She was dazed in grief and nothing could bring her back from it, not even the scorching gaze of Scar Boss.Without a word, he reached out and scooped her into his arms, lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing. Amaira felt a rush of air as he turned and strode out of the room, leaving Raya's venomous words hanging in the air, his long strides eating up the distance.Amaira didn't struggle, didn't try to break free. She was numb, her body and mind paralyzed by the shock of Raya's betrayal. As Scar Boss carried Amaira out of the room, she felt like she was floating in a sea of numbness. The betrayal still lingered, a festering wound that refused to close. But she couldn't cry, couldn't scream, couldn't even feel.As Scar Boss carried her through the winding corridors, the fluorescent lights above them blurring together in a maddening dance, she felt like she was being pulled down into a dark abyss.The world outside receded, and all that was left was the sound of Scar Boss's footsteps, echoing off the walls like a death knell.As Scar Boss carried Amaira out of the building, the cool night air enveloped them, a stark contrast to the stifling tension that had filled the room. The empty street stretched out before them, the only sound the distant hum of a lonely engine. Scar Boss set Amaira down on a bench, his eyes narrowing as he took in her shivering form.But as he gazed at Amaira, something inside Scar Boss shifted. He felt a pang in his chest, a dull ache that he couldn't quite explain.He looked away, his eyes scanning the deserted street. The city was never quiet, but at this hour, the streets were empty and even more darker.Scar Boss's thoughts turned inward, his mind replaying the events of the past few hours. He had planned this moment for so long, had waited patiently for his chance to exact revenge on Amaira.But now, as he looked at her, he felt... uncertain. The anger and hatred that had driven him for so long seemed to be wavering, replaced by a strange sense of protectiveness.He thought back to the girl Amaira had once been, the bright-eyed and fearless innocent girl who had stumbled into his world. He remembered the way she had looked at him, with hope. He recalled her determination and persistence. If she was any other girl, she would have been in depression from his treatment. But Amaira was differentShe was strong. Though he knew he wanted his avenge his sister, the admiration in Scar Boss's eyes had always been persistence, though he might now like it.Scar Boss's gaze snapped back to Amaira, who was still shivering on the bench. He felt a surge of emotion, a desire to wrap his arms around her and hold her close.But he didn't. Instead, he stood there, frozen, as the turmoil inside him raged on.It wasn't until Scar Boss set her down on the bench, his eyes narrowing as he took in her shivering form, that something inside Amaira snapped.At first, it was just a tiny tremble in her lower lip. A small, almost imperceptible quiver that Scar Boss wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't been looking at her so intently.But then, like a dam breaking, the tears came.They poured down Amaira's face in a torrent, hot and salty and unstoppable. She didn't make a sound, didn't sob or wail. She just sat there, her body shaking with the force of her emotions, as the tears streamed down her cheeks.Scar Boss's expression softened, his eyes filling with a deep empathy. He reached out a hand, hesitated for a moment, and then gently brushed a strand of hair out of Amaira's face.The touch was like a spark to dry kindling. Amaira's tears turned to sobs, great racking gasps that shook her entire body. She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders heaving as she cried.Scar Boss sat down beside her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders in a gentle, comforting hold. He didn't try to shush her or tell her to stop crying. He just held her, his presence a steady, reassuring anchor in the stormy sea of her emotions.As the minutes ticked by, Amaira's sobs slowly began to subside. She hiccuped, her breath catching in her throat, and then she was quiet, her body still shuddering with occasional tears.Scar Boss's arm was still around her, holding her close. He didn't speak, didn't try to offer any words of comfort. He just held her, his presence a reminder that she wasn't alone.