Chapter 113: A Brush With Death

Despite Claire’s quick reaction, she couldn’t outpace the rocket’s speed. The rocket struck from behind Frederick, flipping their entire vehicle. Fortunately, the military-grade armored car was built to withstand heavy impacts. Even after landing upside down, it remained mostly intact, though some of the windows shattered.

“Are you okay?”

Frederick and Claire spoke at almost the exact same time as they regained their senses and turned to check on each other.

“I’m fine.”

They answered in unison again, their voices steady but urgent.

“Adjutant Parker!”

Claire suddenly remembered Richard.

“Richard!” Frederick echoed, his tone sharp with concern.

“I’m fine, General Hawthorne. Don’t worry about me,” Richard called out, raising a hand to show he was unhurt.

“General Hawthorne, we need to get out of this car now.”

Richard scanned their surroundings, his expression grim. The deafening gunfire that had surrounded them moments ago had gone silent, a quiet so sudden it felt ominous.

“Let’s move.”

Frederick frowned, sensing the same danger. He grabbed Claire’s hand and helped her climb out of the overturned vehicle. The moment they emerged, a bullet whizzed past with a sharp hiss. They narrowly avoided it, their quick reflexes saving them both from being hit.

“General Hawthorne, you need to go now!”

Richard rushed toward them, placing himself between the enemy fire and Frederick and Claire. His voice was firm as he urged them to escape.

Claire didn’t hesitate. She pulled Frederick along, weaving through the chaos of the gunfire. Soon, Richard was the only one left behind, holding the line alone.

“Go ahead!”

Once Claire and Frederick had reached a safer spot, Frederick stopped suddenly.

“What are you doing?” Claire asked.

At that moment, Claire’s mind was solely focused on Frederick’s safety.

“I can’t leave Richard behind,” he said, pulling out his pistol, his expression resolute.

“Frederick!” Claire grabbed his arm. “Don’t you realize who their real target is? It’s not Richard! It’s you!”

Her voice trembled with urgency. Despite everything that had happened between them, she couldn’t help but worry about his safety.

“I know I’m their target,” Frederick said, his tone calm but firm. “That’s exactly why I can’t abandon Richard. If I leave him to face this alone, how can I call myself his general?”

His determination was unshakable. He pulled free of Claire’s grip and moved toward the battle.

“Frederick! Watch out!”

Claire knew she couldn’t stop Frederick and was ready to go with him, but as soon as she took a step, she saw a person at seven o’clock aiming a gun at Frederick. Without thinking, she shouted and lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. In the same instant, a gunshot cracked through the air. The bullet missed Frederick by mere inches, brushing past Claire’s hair and embedding itself into the wall behind them.

They lay there, frozen in place. Frederick remained on his back while Claire stayed sprawled across him, both too afraid to move for fear of drawing another shot. After what felt like an eternity, Frederick finally sensed that the immediate danger had passed. He gently pushed Claire off and sat up. Scanning their surroundings, they saw no sign of the shooter. Whoever had fired the shot had vanished.

Once they were certain it was safe, they prepared to make their way toward Richard. But just as they stepped out of the alley, another gunshot rang out, sharp and deadly. It was the sniper again. Frederick and Claire had thought the sniper was taken care of. Their momentary lapse in vigilance nearly cost them.

The bullet sped toward Frederick with lethal precision. At the last second, Claire threw herself forward, shoving Frederick out of the line of fire. The next sound was sickening. It was a wet, muffled thud as the bullet found its target.

“Claire!” Frederick’s cry tore through the chaos. Blood bloomed across Claire’s chest like a crimson flower. Her eyes fluttered shut as she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.