Deviant: No Longer Human

_______

The alley was a cacophony of conflict, echoes of punches and kicks reverberating off the damp walls.

Anran moved with a grace and precision, her every motion a blend of defense and attack. The soldiers, disciplined and relentless, advanced in a coordinated effort to overwhelm her.

"Take her down, but be careful of the backpack!" one soldier commanded, his voice sharp over the sound of combat.

"Watch her moves; she\'s quick!" another grunted as he lunged towards Anran, only to be met with a swift kick that sent him staggering back.

Anran\'s breaths were sharp and quick, her focus razor-sharp as she parried and struck with practiced ease. The soldiers came at her from all sides, their boots thudding against the ground, their fists slicing through the air.

"Surround her, no escape!" a soldier shouted, trying to coordinate their efforts against Anran\'s deft maneuvers.

Despite her skill, Anran was outnumbered. She weaved through her attackers, her breaths coming in quick gasps.

Each evasion, each parried blow, was an evidence to her resolve. But as one soldier after another came at her, the situation grew increasingly dire.

She wore a small backpack, its contents unknown, strapped tightly to her back as she fought. It was clear she was protecting whatever it contained with her life. A misstep, a moment\'s hesitation, and she stumbled, falling to the wet, slick pavement.

Thud!

!!

She braced for the next assault, a flicker of despair crossing her determined features. \'Is this how it ends?\' she thought, her heart pounding in her chest.

A collective cheer went up from the soldiers, sensing victory. "We\'ve got her now!" one exclaimed triumphantly.

But their triumph was short-lived.

Booooom!

At that moment, a thunderous shockwave erupted, reverberating through the alley. It was sudden and powerful, sending the soldiers flying back with brutal force.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

They crashed against the building walls, their bodies crumpling unnaturally from the impact.

Anran, released from the soldier\'s grip, fell to her knees, panting heavily. Her mind raced, trying to process this unexpected turn of events. \'What just happened?\' she wondered, her heart still pounding in her chest. The rain poured down, mingling with the sweat and grime on her face, but for a moment, she was too stunned to move.

[Voice from Above]: "Seems like you could use some help."

Anran looked up to see Wang Xiao descending from above, his expression serious and grim. His arrival was both startling and relieving.

"You\'re here!" Anran gasped, her relief evident despite her confusion. "How did you—"

*Smack!*

But before she could finish her sentence, Wang Xiao\'s hand struck her cheek in a swift, startling smack. She staggered backward, a hand flying to her reddened cheek, her eyes filling with disbelief and confusion.

"Wan—" she began, her voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and fear, but before she could say another word, Wang Xiao was already moving past the moment.

His face was etched with frustration, a reflection of the today\'s events. He swiftly captured the fallen soldiers\' faces through his camera lens, sending each photograph to Li Zhiming without uttering a single word.

His actions were precise, as if he wished to avoid any potential confrontation here. Anran, sensing that this was not the right time for discussion, remained silent, her cheeks stinging from the earlier confrontation. She watched silently as he meticulously took all the shots.

Without casting a single glance in her direction, Wang Xiao suddenly declared, "We need to leave, right now!" He didn\'t pause for her response, his entire focus set on getting them out of this place.

"Mm..." Anran\'s response was soft, her gaze still fixed on the ground. She followed closely behind him, trailing his determined silhouette as they made their way back to the villa. Thoughts and emotions swirled within her, but for now, she chose to keep them locked inside.

______

Back in the Villa, as the door closed with a muted thud, the air seemed to grow omnious with tension.

Wang Xiao\'s presence alone seemed to charge the atmosphere, an unspoken storm brewing in his eyes.

"Why did you run away? Didn\'t you know people were tracking you?" Wang Xiao\'s voice was sharp, a blade cutting through the silence as he snatched the backpack from Anran\'s trembling hands.

His movements were brisk, his frustration palpable as he rummaged through the contents.

Contrary to his suspicions, it held only the essentials for survival – nothing that linked her to him or his secrets.

Anran stood motionless, her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles whitened, her anxiety a tangible presence in the room. In the background, Aisha, perched like a statue on the couch, watched with wide eyes, her face a canvas of confusion and fear.

"Have you lost your voice?" Wang Xiao\'s tone escalated, a mix of anger and concern lacing his words.

"I..." Anran\'s voice was barely audible, her eyes glistening pools threatening to spill over. She seemed to shrink under his intense gaze.

"Great, now you want to cry?" Disbelief tinged Wang Xiao\'s voice as he grasped her face, forcing her to look at him. "Anran, I won\'t ask again. Why did you run away?" His eyes, fierce and unyielding, searched hers for an answer.

"Ugh," Anran gasped, pain flickering across her features under his firm grip. Her eyes, now brimming with tears, were forced to meet his unflinching stare.

"This woman..." Wang Xiao\'s patience snapped, but a reminder flashed through his mind, a silent voice of reason [Wang Xiao, she\'s just a kid, stop it! She\'s scared.]

He paused, his internal battle evident in the clench of his jaw. \'Scared? Then why run?\'

Abruptly, he released her, and Anran crumpled to the floor with a soft thud.

"!!"

Aisha, jolted into action, hurried to Anran\'s side. Meanwhile, Wang Xiao looked on, a mirthless smile curling his lips. "Stay inside, both of you. Don\'t leave until I say so," he ordered, his gaze piercing Aisha with a chilling warning. "You too. Try to leave, and I\'ll I\'d chop you into pieces and feed you to the sea."

With those ominous words, he turned and strode towards the stairs, his damp clothes clinging to him, adding to his frustration and exhaustion.