He nodded, his focus hardening. The romantic spark was real, raw and immediate, a product of shared adrenaline and vulnerability. But the thriller was far from over. The city behind them held pursuers who wouldn't stop. The sea ahead held uncertainty. Their time together might be short, measured in hours, but it would be intense, dangerous, and defining. They were two strangers, thrown together by fate and a silver locket, racing against time and relentless enemies.
"Okay," Grabiel, his voice low but firm, shattering the fragile intimacy that had momentarily bloomed. "We need a plan. We can't just drift aimlessly. They know we're heading towards the harbor, and they'll be waiting."
He glanced at Lucy. Her face, pale in the fading twilight, was a stark contrast to the fire in her eyes. She was tired, scared, but determined. He found himself admiring her resilience, her ability to keep going despite everything.
"Do you have any ideas?" he asked.
Lucy took a deep breath, forcing herself to think clearly. "The harbor… it's too obvious. They'll have checkpoints, security, everything locked down. We need to find another way out."
She scanned the surroundings, her gaze lingering on the maze of narrow streets, the shadows lengthening with each passing moment. "Maybe… the old docks? I remember my grandfather used to tell stories about them. They're abandoned, dilapidated, probably crawling with rats, but… less patrolled."
Grabiel considered her suggestion. The old docks were a gamble, a descent into uncertainty, but the harbor was a guaranteed trap. "Alright," he said, "the old docks it is. But we need to be careful. We don't know what we're walking into."
He checked his pistol, making sure the magazine was full. He wished he had more ammunition, but he'd used a good portion of it back at the gallery. He'd salvaged a few extra rounds from the downed security guards, but it wasn't much.
"Can you handle a gun?" he asked Lucy, handing her the smaller pistol he'd taken from the guard.
She hesitated, looking at the weapon as if it were a venomous snake. "I… I've never shot one before."
"There's no time for lessons," Grabiel said, his voice hard. "Safety's off. Point and shoot. Aim for center mass. Can you do that?"
Lucy swallowed hard, her hand trembling as she took the gun. "I… I'll try."
He gave her a quick nod, trusting her willingness to learn would be enough. "Stick close to me," he said. "And if anything happens… don't hesitate."
They moved swiftly, melting back into the shadows of the narrow streets. The city, once vibrant and bustling, now felt hostile and menacing. Every sound, every shadow, held the potential for danger. They were hunted prey, desperately trying to outrun their pursuers.