"I can tell you now; it's a cruel, cruel world."

➳ ➳ ➳

The rain fell hard on the cold, empty streets as I continue running as fast as I could. I was holding my injured shoulder tightly, applying pressure to stop the bleeding. My heavy breathing and my beating heart is the only thing that assures me I am still alive. I can hear the sound of my bare feet pounding against the wet cement. I was too deep in thought.

"Fuck!" Someone in the distance shouted, and along came the rumbling sound of the thunder with scary flashes of the lightning. I jumped in surprise and quickly turned the corner to put my back against a brick wall. My feet hurt like hell, and so did my injuries, not to mention I am freezing since my thin top was half ripped. I started to inhale and exhale to steady my breath and calm myself down. I just wanted to escape those men and get out of here. To do that, I had to think clearly. It's not something I can easily do, especially in the condition I am in.

"Damn it." I tossed my head back and cursed under my breath. I didn't have much time; their footsteps are louder and louder, which means they are closer. I couldn't let them get to me. I don't want to end up like the other girls.

No, not me.

"Angel... Angel come out here, darling." A husky voice calls my name in harmony that makes me close my eyes shut and take a deep breath with my fist balled into my blouse. They were a lot closer than I thought, and that scared me. I had to be extremely careful now. Alexander's men were people you never mess with. They were strong and very smart.

"I know you're here, Angel. I can smell that sweet scent for miles. I miss that sweet, angelic body of yours." Ethan spoke, and I rolled my eyes at his remark. He is disgusting. I slowly opened my eyes and looked carefully around the side to see the two men with their backs turned to me. They knew I was here, and I had to get away from them as soon as possible. I can't hide forever. Not here.

"Where the hell is she?" The sound came from the younger man with annoyance in his voice.

"She's here. I can feel it." Ethan replied, making me turn to my back in fear.

Get out of here, Angelina!

I listened to that voice inside my head and walked through the dark path, occasionally leaning on the wall beside me for support. The rain had poured stronger; it hurt and made it hard for me to see, but that didn't stop me from moving. I have to get as far from here as possible. I looked behind me to see who was behind, and smirked to myself when I saw the path was clear. I was safe. I actually managed to escape them.

"I did it," I whispered to myself in disbelief.

Escaping a situation like this, especially being chased by a couple of Alexander's men, it's almost impossible, but I did it. Tears of joy fell down my dirty face and collapsed on the ground, bringing my knees to my head. I don't want to go back to Alexander anymore. He is a cruel man who would do anything to get what he wants, and this time, it just so happened to be me. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and rubbed my palms on my jeans to provide warmth. I really couldn't believe how I ended up like this. Once, I had a home. I had parents and even friends. Now, I have nothing. I am an orphan who lived in the fifth alleys in London city and was being chased by dangerous people. I still am. I became the center of attention of many people in Alexander's circle when I ran away a month ago. Since then, I had been living in fear. Fear they'd find me and take me back. It's terrible.

It used to be a real home for me when my parents died, but that was until I turned eighteen last year. From then on, things changed for the worst, and Alexander was no longer kind to me. I hate him.

"I hate him," I whispered to myself, rocking my body back and forth.

I was tired and couldn't force my eyes open much longer. My eyes burn from lack of sleep, and my eyelids felt heavy. I really wanted to sleep, I needed rest, but I couldn't. Not now. I feel I am still in danger, and my eyelids force open from the reminder. However, tiredness had taken over, and I couldn't resist anymore. My eyelids shut and fell into a deep sleep but undoubtedly not peaceful since his face haunts my dreams.

When I woke up, I was in the same position. The rain had finally stopped, and it looks like the sun is about to rise. My teeth were chattering, and my whole body felt numb as the cold wind hit it, but being cold was the last thing on my mind. Actually, my full attention was on the person standing in front of me.

Ethan.

He's tall, and his muscular body was hovering over my tiny one. He has his arms crossed over his broad chest. His dirty blonde hair is wet and messy from the rain, his eyes were a pale blue, a little green, intense, and there was a smirk, almost invisible, played on his pink lips. He was a handsome man, but his personality was far from it. They say looks can deceive, and that is precisely the case with Ethan. He was the devil in disguise. The longer I looked at him, the more my heart pounded faster with every move he made. He slowly knelt in front of me and parted his lips to speak, but instead pointed his finger at me disapprovingly and laughed.

"Please," I whispered, backing away, and I'm sure he heard me.

"I can't believe you. You didn't really think you could get away, did you?" He asked, sounding amused.

"You should know better, Angel." He continued and caressed my cheek with the back of his hand. His tone was calm, but his eyes could give away just how angry he was.

"Let me go, Ethan!" I shouted, trying to look confident on the outside because inside, I was shaking like a scared puppy. He must have known because my words made him laugh.

"Look at you, all brave and feisty. But really, we both know you're afraid of me." He smirked and placed his hand on my bare wounded shoulder. I flinched and built up such courage to push him away from me. My injury is still fresh, and it hurt a lot. If the cut were any deeper, I would have surely died of massive blood loss.

"Tsk, tsk. Don't be a bad girl, Angelina." He roughly grabbed my forearm and forced me to stand on my feet with his body dangerously close to mine. I had my back against the brick wall. I gulped and tilted my head to look up at him.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked him, holding back tears. I wouldn't cry in front of him. I don't want to come off as weaker than what he already knows I am.

"Because it's Alexander's orders. And I've missed you, Angel. Plus, Alexander thinks you'd make a ton of money working at the Dollhouse." He smirked at my shocked expression. The Dollhouse?

No.

"No, Ethan, please. Don't take me there. I don't want to go there." I plead.

"It's not you who decides, babe. Besides, I think you'd look amazing in lace. Such a turn-on." He whispered that last part in my ear and made my brown eyes dilate in fear. I tried to push him away from me with my hands, but it was useless since he was much more substantial.

He angered me.

"You monster!" I yelled at him with disgust and spat in his face. He shut his eyes and turned his head to the side. I couldn't help but think this was a perfect chance to run if he wasn't holding my hands down.

"Bitch!" He cursed at me, wiping away the saliva from his face and look at me with frustration. His expression soon faded away into a slight smile upon his lips and laughing coldly.

"You know, I have to admit, Angel. I like your attitude. It's strong, but it's going to change very soon." He says and, with no warning, started pulling me by the hand, forcing me to follow him. I fought back, and I shouted out random things, but he didn't listen. Not that I expected him to or anything. Ethan was like a son to Alexander and was always very loyal to him. Anything Alexander wanted, Ethan would get it for him, so I'm not surprised he isn't showing me any mercy.

"I will never do what he wants. I hate you! I hate him! I wish you'd all die!" I screamed at him, and he turns his head to look at me.

"Even though I loved your little speech, I'd prefer it if you shut up."

"Go to hell, Ethan!" I told him, and just as I finished, there was a loud clapping sound against my skin, making my head turn.

A gasp escaped my lips, and I used my fingertips to rub it softly. He just slapped me. What the fuck? My eyes filled with tears, but I don't dare let them fall. He wants to see me weak and vulnerable. I won't give him the pleasure, not yet.

"That might leave a bruise. Yikes." He stated, carelessly. He took my arm forcefully and threw me like an object to the other man he was with. I couldn't recognize him.

"She's the one?" The man who held me securely asked.

"Yes," Ethan replied. "Let's go."

"But she doesn't look... special." He spoke to Ethan. What does he mean?

Special?

Ethan came up to me again and lifted my chin to look at him before he speaks. He examines my face as he speaks.

"Oh, Steve. Under all this dirt and filthy clothes hides a true angel." He ordered him, and Steve immediately obeyed. He opened the trunk and pushed me in. I fell on my knees, crawling to the corner and hug my body for protection. The young man looked at me curiously with his brown eyes, watching my every move, and I try to avoid his intimidating stare.

"So, an angel? Can't wait to see it." He said with a wicked smile on his face and then closed the trunk— the sound of doors opening and closing echoes. The van moves soon after, and I knew they were taking me back.

Back to the real devil.