—What are you waiting for?!

His scream took me out of my amastonment, as did my attacker. I changed my course and went to the boy who was still shooting, giving me time to get away. I arrived next to him with agitated breathing and turned to see how more of the monster's eyes dripped blood.

—It 's working.

—Not for much–I whispered and just at that moment a click came out of the gun.

He cursed at the bottom and I understood that the bullets had run out. With my hands shaking, I lifted my katana in attack mode waiting to hear some plan from you.

Another annoying squeal hurt my ears and like me was being prepared to attack us.

—And-and now what, do we fight?—I asked fearfully of the answer but knowing that it was probably our only option.

—Run.

—What?

He put his hand on my wrist and started running with me after him. I had to make a great effort to keep up with him and not stumble. But unfortunately our escape didn't last long.

With a jump, the monster stood in front of us.

—I don't think we can keep running away—I dared to say the obvious.

–Don't worry, I'll get you out of here.

His expression was of frustration but he had determined eyes.

«Why do you risk so much for a stranger?» I thought without being able to understand. Guilt grew even more in me when I remembered that I only fled when someone else was in danger.

—Are you an idiot?— I whispered quietly, but from his expression of surprise it seems that he hears me clearly.

When he turned to see me willing to complain about having called me that, out of the corner of my eye I saw a movement on the part of the enemy. Without even thinking about it, I stood in front of the redhead, ready to receive his attack. A couple of meters from reaching us, a strong white light illuminated the road from behind us.

This one seemed to hurt the few healthy eyes left to the beast. He screamed, putting himself on two legs and stepped back.

—Yes, he is.—He said in a thick but feminine voice behind our backs.

Startled, we turned to see the owner of that voice. In front of us was a girl with short dark red hair and a hard look. It reminds me of the typical delinquent girls who appear in the movies.

On both sides of it was a person in a black suit holding a huge flashlight. When I heard bursts and screams behind us, I knew that I was not the only companion that the girl had brought. More people in black suits were shooting the monster with weapons that I had only seen in soldiers.

«'How could they get them?»

—Y-Yuriko!

«'Yuriko? Does he know her?»

—T-Thank you—I was grateful, letting out a sigh when I learned that once again I had escaped alive.

—I didn't do it for you, girl.—The hatred in her eyes shuddered me and I unconsciously retreated scared. –Did you go crazy? You can't just run around. What if something had happened to you?

—But I'm fine, do you see? In addition, I couldn't ignore someone in danger. Much less seeing how hurt she is.

The girl sighs touching the bridge of her nose, totally frustrated.

—That altruism of yours will end up killing you someday. —She looked at him furiously and I pointed a finger at him. —Look Mak, I didn't care much before. But you can't pretend to be fair and help others with the world as it is now, you don't know when someone can betray you or cause your death. In addition...

She looked at me in the form of reproach.

—This girl doesn't deserve it.

I was surprised and offended by her words. I wanted to complain about it but I preferred to bite my tongue and not to offend the person who had just saved me, without mentioning that it seems that she can make me unconscious in one blow.

—What? You know it's true.—She said when she discovered my gaze. — Or ¿do you think I didn't see what you did back there?

My body trembled and I felt as if I had been slapped. I looked at the floor hiding my face behind my disheveled hair, unable to look at the boy next to me.

—What are you talking about?— he asked, I felt his confused look on me.

—This girl is no more than a cowardly and selfish person, Mak. She perfectly saw how some monsters attacked a poor girl and instead of trying to help her she simply ignored it.

—Is that true?—His voice sounded surprised and understanding.

—Of course it is, I saw it myself. Our men also saw it. Or what, are you going to deny it, little girl?

My breathing accelerated and tears began to drip from my eyes. A whirlpool of emotions appeared inside me, but there was one that I couldn't find.

—I don't regret it,— I whispered bluntly.

—¡Wait! So, did you do it?— he asked, horrified, giving a step away from me.

–¿Do you see it? I told you. You can't trust this girl. She could betray you, Mak. You are a good person, but not everyone is, so stop being so naive.

I felt a tightness in my chest. I'm not going to deny what I did, but I can't say that it was okay either. Not to mention that I didn't do it once but twice... and in a single day. But... Does that really make me a bad person?

I stop repressing myself, angry with myself and with the situation, let the words come out of me.

—I'm selfish, I know! —Raise your face and look at her—But I don't think I'm a bad person. Not when I don't survive for myself.

She frowned at my words and crossed her arms waiting for an explanation. I looked at the floor again, I was afraid that if I looked at her for a long time I would lose the courage to speak.

—I'm useless. I'm clumsy, I can't do anything right and my physical abilities are disgusting. I've always been a coward, I'm not going to deny it. I let a girl die and I saw many people dead. But I'm not strong and I can't pretend that I am and throw myself to save someone.— I wiped my tears with the sleeves of my sweater— I'm only still alive for luck and because I ignored all that, but if it were for me I wouldn't have cared just sitting in a corner and dying.

–So why didn't you do it? That way he wouldn't be getting in the way of others.— Her words were cold but there was no malice in them.

—Yuri! —The redhead reprimanded her.

There was a moment of silence before I could swallow the knot in my throat.

—Because the only thing I could think about in those moments was going back to my younger brother.

–¿Your younger brother?

Look up and more tears slipped. Even though my throat was burning, I kept talking.

– I am the whole family he has, if I die he will be alone. I can't leave him. That's why I don't regret it.— I squeezed the handle of the katana and looked at it determined— I have to go back to him, even if it costs me my life... even if that means not helping and letting others die.

I look at myself without any expression for a couple of seconds. Even Mak was speechless. The silence was broken by some bursts and squeals at our side. I was startled and turned around just in time to see how another of the quadruped beasts fell to the ground.

–Miss, we have already taken a long time. We should leave immediately.— Inform one of the types of suits.

The girl nodded and started walking past me. The boy and the other people began to follow her. I let out a sigh and my body relaxed.

—Have you betrayed anyone?— A voice behind me asks.

I went back to see her. She turned his back on me seemingly disinterested, but her question was not.

—I am a coward, not a traitor.

Sje thought of my words before speaking again.

—Then walking-She just said and then went on his way.

Mak looked happy for the red-haired girl's decision while I couldn't help but feel relieved and follow them.

I was lucky before, but I'm not physically strong... I don't even think I'm strong enough psychologically. So I know better than anyone that I will ever be able to survive being alone and alone with a weapon that limits me to hand-to-hand fighting. The only option I have now is to join someone stronger than me and who can help me get to Liam.

And seeing how worried I was about my betrayal, it doesn't seem that I have to worry about being betrayed... at least not for now.

«Liam, please... stay safe.»