Burning Passion

CHAPTER 149: SAVING NIKKI (Twenty-Two) and the Past 

"SPECIAL CHAPTER EDITION: ENCOUNTERS" 

(This chapter has an act of violence.) 

* * *

Theo and Nikki followed the corridor. They entered a room, and Theo checked out the windows. It was high to jump off. 

Soon, they heard Brandon shouting, and later rapid steps coming to each of the rooms, to search for them.

Theo and Nikki are hiding in a bathroom. She was gaping at Theo. He has bruises anywhere on his body as he receives punches, kicks, and even smashed with a baseball bat. 

Theo listens outside, he glanced at Nikki and caught her staring at him. He nudges his forehead into Nikki's head. He wants to kiss her, but his lip swollen after beating up good. 

"Are you hurt?" Theo asked Nikki, she who shakes her head. 

She replied to Theo. "I'm fine. But they badly hurt you." 

"This is nothing…" he whispered, remaining lowering their voices as they cannot talk aloud when those men are searching for them. 

Nikki wrapped her arms around his body. His bruises aching from the embrace, but he could ignore it. Nikki's embrace is the best healing to his body pain. 

It has been playing on his mind, maybe a chance to share it with Nikki before he has no opportunity to tell her later. Theo held Nikki's face and asked…

"Do you believe in love in the first meeting?" 

Nikki's blush, but she'll definitely believe that, though it's a little wonder to her why Theo asked about love at the first meeting and not love at first sight…

She thinks it has a difference.

"Why do you ask?" She finally responded.

"I think that's what I feel for you." 

She gasped when her heart fluttered crazily. She covered her mouth so as not to make a noise from her sobs.

Nikki doesn't know how to respond, but she nodded at Theo, who planted a kiss on her forehead. 

Maybe that's what she's feeling toward him too. Theo is her crush for so long already. And now that she meets him for the first time, she can't suppress her innocent heart from beating loudly when he was nearby. 

Maybe this is the Love at the First Meeting. 

To think about it now... today is their first encounter, their first meeting... their first kiss, first holding hands, their first date like, but on the same day, they were fighting to stay alive, to continue this love…

There are no certainties they can escape from here, alive. But as Theo was on her side, only his warmth she felt. Maybe it's too early for her to die. But she's praying to meet Theo once again in her next life. 

"Nikki…" 

"Huh?" She looked up at Theo, lost in her thoughts, and didn't notice when he was talking to her. "Did you say something?" she asked afterward.

Theo nodded and repeated, "I said, I want to talk to your parents." 

Her mouth dropped. Does it mean Theo is serious about marrying her? No. He must plan on telling her parents he is her boyfriend now. That must be.

Nikki beams and pressed her head on Theo's broad chest. She looks forward to it. 

'Gosh!' Her heart dances with joy. But that's too short happiness because the door of the bathroom they're hiding is now banging forcefully. 

Theo gestured at her to stay in the corner while he positioned near the door. 

The moment it opens, he quickly grabs the guy and strangles his neck. Nikki covered her eyes. The guy lost consciousness, and Theo pulled him inside the bathroom to hide the body. Theo climbs the toilet bowl and checks outside the window. It was night, but it was a full moon.

He saw a staircase at the back. When they get out of that room and follow the end of the corridor, it looks like they have to head right to find an exit way to take that staircase. Now he has a plan on how to get out.

Theo slowly opens the bathroom door. The room remains dark. He peeps outside to count how many men were close by. The noises are from the other side of the house; he found two standing in the corridor. He's confident to take them down first.

Nikki follows Theo. Hiding behind him, she waited for his instructions. Theo gestures at her to hide behind a dresser. She crouches in the corner, nervously praying that Theo will be alright. He plans to put to sleep the men he will see outside. He watches how Theo's silhouette disappears from the door. Nikki is biting her lower lip as she was too worried about Theo.

"Please come back, safe…" she prayed.

"Nik, come on!" 

Theo pulled her hand, and they ran outside. They were close in the staircase, Theo let her go down the stairs first.

Following her behind, someone smashes him on the head.

Nikki turned around when Theo let go of her hand. She found him fighting another guy. 

"Nik, go hide downstairs!" he was yelling at her.

Nikki runs down the stairs. However, she was already halfway over, and a guy appeared from nowhere. She climbs back, but he grabs her foot, the reason she fell on the cemented staircase, hits her knees and body. 

Nikki attempts to kick the guy. He was bulk and tall, she was easily carried by him. She struggled to get down, but she lost her balance. 

"Theo!" She screamed.

"Nikki!" Theo's scream echoing out loud. His eyes dramatically widened watched Nikki roll down the stairs, which she hits her head on the steps and railings many times.

Theo leaped and kicked the guy and fell below. Theo runs the stairs, but a sharp object thrust in his back. Then someone kicked him, and he fell from the railings of that veranda. 

Falling from the second floor of the house, Theo groaning with pain chases his breaths. He cannot move his right shoulder as pain is killing him. His gaze fogged, but he fought, losing consciousness and starting crawling to be at Nikki's side.

He bears the waves of pain to his entire system. Using his left arm, he struggles to reach where Nikki lies unconscious. He could see the blood flow from her head. 

"Nikki! Don't die!" He cried. 

Even how helpless he was, but a foot stepped on that sharp object stuck on his back that worsens the pain. Theo screamed. "Aaaaahh!" 

He gritted his teeth, but he's coughing with blood now. However, he ignores it and continues crawling. He hears men are laughing around them. It seems torturing a person brings enjoyment, and it is entertainment for them. 

Brandon steps on Theo's back and cannot contain himself from smirking. He enjoyed seeing this guy suffering not only from the pain caused by his wounds but also to see him grieving, watching his beloved on the verge of death. 

Meanwhile, even as his vision blurs out, Theo keeps crawling to be by Nikki's side. However, a series of beating into his back. He cried out. But it didn't stop him from reaching Nikki's hand. 

All the men that gather around them remain watching the show, laughing.

Theo's eyes widened to see a baseball bat hitting the ground close to his face… then someone drags it toward Nikki's direction. Theo cried when the guy halted and smashed Nikki on the head.

It was like someone took out his heart at that moment. As tears flooded his eyes before he lost consciousness from a strong smash on his head…

All he recalls is Nikki's sweet smile and playful bright eyes looking at him…