Running as fast as she could, she tried with everything to escape not just her past, her pain, her trauma, but those inhuman people who wore monsters under human faces.
Her breathing came in harsh gasps. Her legs ached. Her throat was dry from hours of running. Her golden brown eyes darted around, scanning the streets. People passed by, oblivious, and vehicles honked as they rushed past.
She dropped her hands to her knees and bent forward slightly, trying to calm her ragged breath. She searched desperately for a public water cooler but saw none.
She glanced over her shoulder, checking if anyone was following. Relief washed over her when she saw the inhuman people had lost track of her.
Exhaling heavily, she crossed the road and walked a few more minutes. A public park appeared ahead, and she decided to enter, hoping to find water.
Inside, children laughed and played. A couple fed ice cream to their little daughter. Her chest tightened. Tears pricked her eyes as memories of her parents flashed through her mind, the love she once knew now gone, leaving only pain.
Rubbing her eyes with the back of her palm, she moved forward and finally spotted a water tank just outside the park's back gate. She headed for it, her steps quickening.
Suddenly, a man's scream ripped through the air—
"ZIAAAAA...."
She spun around, eyes widening. A woman stood frozen in the middle of the road, a car barreling straight at her. The woman's face was a mask of terror.
Without thinking, she sprinted and shoved the woman out of the way, but it was too late for herself. The car struck her with a sickening force. She screamed as her body flew through the air.
Pain shot through every bone. Her body hit the road with a thud that rattled her completely. Tears blurred her vision as agony consumed her. Her whole body throbbed and then darkness swallowed her, leaving only the thought that she had finally lost the one thing she had.... that was her own life.
✧✧✧✧✧
"Your life?" A hoarse chuckle resonated against the walls of the room. The girl stiffened, watching the eighteen-year-old boy sitting on her bed. His long legs were spread wide, and his arms rested casually behind him on the headboard.
"Do you think I care about you or your life, Marine?"
She felt the sting of his words but didn't let it show. She knew better than to reveal her irritation.
Ignoring his rudeness, she walked toward him, her seductive smile perfectly in place. She leaned her upper body forward, giving him a clear view of her barely covered cleavage. Her palms pressed against his sinewy chest as she locked eyes with his pale blue gaze.
"I know you don't, but I do care about you and your life a lot, Zian."
The corner of his lips tugged upward at her words. He knew exactly how she felt. Did he care? No. He didn't give a damn about anyone's feelings, except his parents. All that mattered was himself, his needs, and how he could satisfy them.
That girl, Marine, intensely gazed into his eyes and then let her eyes slip down towards his lips. Lust surged through her body as memories of the last time came flooding back, when he had pounded inside her like a ruthless beast, making her scream and moan his name until she nearly passed out from exhaustion.
Her core throbbed at the thought of it. She leaned in, trying to kiss him, but a gasp escaped her mouth as he grabbed her neck in his large palm, stopping her before she could touch his lips.
"Don't forget that I believe in using, but I despise getting used, Marine," he said, smirking while tightening his hold around her neck. Fear surged through her as she felt him on the verge of cutting off her air. She knew all too well his sadistic ways, the cruel streak that marked him even at just eighteen.
He pushed her roughly onto the floor and spread his legs wider.
"Suck me off like the good whore you are, sweetheart," he said with a vicious smirk. The name stung, but she had grown used to his heartless remarks over the past six months.
She knelt between his legs, lifting her hands toward his belt. As she started undoing it, he rested his weight on his arms, throwing his head back and waiting for her to begin pleasuring him.
She had just opened his belt and was about to touch his pants buckle when his phone started ringing. He stayed composed, pulling the phone from his pocket, and saw Leo's name flashing on the screen. He one of his father's men, or rather, his father's second-in-command. Why was he calling now, disturbing him?
Clenching his jaw in annoyance, he answered.
"What Now?"
Marine watched as his expression shifted in an instant, from irritation to sheer alarm. He jumped to his feet.
"Is Mom and Dad alright? Okay, I'll be there in ten minutes," he said, and without another word, he dashed out the door.
Marine was left standing there, stunned and confused. She couldn't dare stop him or ask what had happened. All she could do was watch him leave, leaving her alone.
✧✧✧✧✧
The heavy, urgent strides of Zian's feet shattered the fragile silence of the hospital. The receptionist quickly directed him, and finally, he saw his mother, Zia. She sat on a bench outside the operation ward, tears streaming down her face. His uncle, Dylan, sat beside her, trying to comfort her.
"Mum," Zian called out, and she lifted her head to look at him. He rushed forward, cupping her face in his hands, worry etched on his features.
"Are you and Dad alright? Leo called and told me about the accident. You're both fine, right?"
His mother weakly nodded before answering.
"Your dad and I are fine, Zian, but that girl who saved my life… she's in critical condition. Her operation is still going on."
Relief washed over Zian. His parents were safe. He sat beside his mother and gently wiped her tears.
"Everything will be alright. Don't cry," he said softly, unable to stand seeing her so upset.
Zia only shook her head slowly. Zian sighed and glanced toward his father, Damien, who was speaking with one of the doctors.
When he finished, Damien turned toward them, his face tense.
"What did the doctor say about her condition, Damien?" his mother asked anxiously.
Damien let out a heavy sigh before speaking.
"They can't say anything until the operation is over. The accident caused severe injuries to her neck and head," he explained, and Zia closed her eyes, bowing her head.
"Mr. Karlson," Zian heard, and he turned to see Leo standing behind him, eyes fixed on his father.
"Your assumption was correct. The accident was planned. Mrs. Karlson was the target. Someone wanted to harm her."
Zian's jaw clenched, fists tightening.
"Who?" he demanded, anger bubbling, though his mother grasped his arm, forcing him to look at her.
"Zian, go back home. You don't need to stay here," she said calmly. She knew his temper and didn't think he was ready for this. He also had no reason to be there.
"But Mum…"
"Your mother is right, Zian," Damien said firmly.
"Me, your mum, your uncle, and Leo are here. You go back home. You don't need to involve yourself in this for now," his father added sternly.
"And stay with your grandparents tonight," his mother instructed. Zian didn't argue, even though he wanted to, and quietly left the hospital.
A few days later, Zian was living with his grandparents, while his parents remained at the hospital around the clock. The girl who had saved his mother's life was in a coma after her operation, and doctors said her chances of survival were slim. But his parents refused to give up, believing she was in this state because of them. Zian disagreed as she had chosen to jump in front of the car on her own. How could his parents be responsible?
"Where are you going at this hour, Zian?" his grandmother, Celia Alcazar, asked. He offered her a small smile.
"I'm going to the hospital to see Mum and Dad. I haven't seen them in a couple of days, Grandma."
She nodded gently. She and his grandfather had wanted to visit, but Zian's mother had asked them not to, as his grandfather's health wasn't strong.
"Take care, and drive carefully. The weather's turning bad," she said.
Zian dipped his head in acknowledgment and left for the hospital.