"Damn it!" James hissed through clenched teeth as he adjusted his position, the searing pain of the bullet lodged deeper into his shoulder. His body recoiled from the sharp agony, but his mind remained defiant, forcing him to push through the torment.
"Hold on, I'm getting us there as fast as possible," Secretary Choi said, his voice firm yet laced with tension. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white with pressure, while his eyes darted to the rearview mirror, his mind racing with silent calculations to keep the car steady despite the urgency.
"But we need to make sure Andrew is safe," James rasped, his voice trembling with the weight of urgency and pain. His gaze darted to the window, his shallow breaths fogging the glass. Suddenly, something caught his sharp eyes—a fleeting detail that sent a jolt through him. "Wait!" His voice cracked under the strain, breaking through the tense silence.
Ignoring the searing pain in his shoulder, James forced himself upright in the back seat, his body protesting every movement. His focus locked onto the scenery rushing past—the highway curving dangerously close to a cliff just meters away. His breath hitched as he spotted the concrete barrier below, low and treacherous. It wasn't much, but it could be a path.
"We should check that way… Andrew might be there." His words tumbled out, rushed and strained, yet they carried a fierce urgency. Despite the blood soaking through his shirt, his eyes remained sharp, scanning the coastline where the sea crashed violently against jagged rocks. His hands trembled as he gripped the seat, but his resolve only grew.
Secretary Choi's brow furrowed with concern, and without another word, he slammed on the brakes. The car lurched to a halt, the screech of tires punctuating the tension in the air. His gaze followed James's outstretched arm, and as the wind whipped through the open window, a cold shiver ran down his spine at the sight of the dangerous path. Still, there was no hesitation in his movements—James's determination left him no choice.
"James, you're hurt. We need to get you to a hospital—" Secretary Choi began, his voice taut with worry, but James's voice cut him off, firm and unwavering.
"No." James's reply was low, but the conviction was unmistakable. His hands fumbled weakly for the car door, his body protesting every movement, but he pushed through the agony. "I can't leave Andrew behind. We're checking it."
His jaw clenched, and his legs shook as he staggered out of the car. His side bled more freely now, staining his shirt, but he didn't care. Every step felt like it could be his last. With a soft groan, he leaned against the concrete barrier, the pain radiating from his shoulder. His vision flickered, but he forced himself to grip the barrier with trembling hands and climb over, nearly collapsing on the other side.
"James!" Secretary Choi's voice rose with panic. He rushed to his side, sliding an arm around him for support, but James refused to stop. With each agonizing step, he moved forward, his breath ragged, his body trembling, but all that mattered was reaching Andrew—and Ji-Won.
The wind howled around them, pushing against their every step as they neared the cliff's edge. The faint glow of a flashlight flickered from above, casting eerie shadows on the jagged rocks below. Voices—frantic and panicked—faded into the distance, swallowed by the relentless roar of the ocean. "Ji-Won!" "Andrew!" Their names echoed, distorted by the wind, each cry slicing through James like a dagger. His chest tightened with fear, and a shiver ran down his spine.
Secretary Choi's sharp eyes scanned the shoreline, his heart pounding in his chest, the weight of the moment heavy on his shoulders. And then—something shifted in the dark. He squinted, breath catching in his throat, as movement at the base of the cliff caught his attention. His heart leapt to his throat as he locked eyes on the form.
"James, wait here!" Secretary Choi shouted over the wind, but there was no time to listen. Without a second thought, he broke into a sprint, his legs burning as he clambered over the rocks, slipping and stumbling with every frantic step. But ahead of him, bathed in the cold, pale light of the moon, was Andrew—exhausted, drenched, trembling, but holding an unconscious Ji-Won in his arms.
"Andrew!" Secretary Choi's voice cracked, panic seizing him as he reached them. His breath caught in his throat, the sight of Ji-Won's pale, motionless face filling him with a fresh wave of terror. Andrew was on his knees, gasping for air, his body trembling violently from both the cold and the strain of the rescue.
"Secretary Choi…" Andrew's voice was a raw whisper, barely audible above the wind. His face was ashen, his eyes wide with fear and desperation. His body shook so violently that his knees scraped against the jagged rocks, but he didn't seem to notice. "Help me… Ji-Won, I can't—he's not—" His voice broke, and he looked down at Ji-Won's limp body, terror and helplessness written across every line of his face.
Secretary Choi knelt beside them, his hands trembling as he checked Ji-Won's pulse. It was weak, but steady, and for a brief moment, a flicker of relief washed over him. But there was no time to waste. "We need to move now!" he barked, his voice sharp with urgency. "Young Master, can you stand?"
Andrew nodded weakly, his body rebelling with every movement. His breath was shallow and ragged, but there was fire in his eyes—determination that wouldn't be extinguished. "I'll carry him…" His voice cracked, hoarse and strained. "Just help me put him on my back." Despite the exhaustion weighing on every word, his gaze remained resolute.
"No, Young Master." Secretary Choi's voice was firm, final, a command that brooked no argument. He shook his head, a trace of authority returning to his features. "You've done enough. Let me carry him." Without waiting for protest, he gently scooped Ji-Won into his arms, his movements careful but urgent. Ji-Won's body was limp, his head lolling against Secretary Choi's shoulder, and the sight of it made something cold twist inside him.
Andrew staggered to his feet, his world tilting as dizziness clouded his vision. He gripped a jagged rock for support, forcing himself to steady, his heart pounding in his chest. His pulse was frantic, the drumbeat of fear drowning out everything else. Every step toward the rocky path felt like a battle—against time, against his own weakening body. But he couldn't stop. Not when Ji-Won's life hung by a thread.
"Let's go!" Secretary Choi urged, his voice a firm push, urging him forward. There was no room for hesitation. With one final, breathless grunt, Andrew pushed himself to follow. His legs screamed in protest, each step agony, but he kept moving. He couldn't stop. Not when Ji-Won was still in danger. Not when every second counted.
The story doesn't end here...
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