chapter 9
949 Words
Gwen dashed out of the tall building, her breath heavy and heart pounding like a caged animal desperate to escape. Those deep, silver-grey eyes that glowed like liquid metal would forever haunt her sanity.
The sound of cracking bones, Mason's screams, and the blood replayed in her mind. The way his friends had scurried away in terror replayed right alongside it. Though Lucien had saved her, it still terrified her.
A loud honk snapped her back to reality.
"Watch out, you i***t!" the driver of the car that almost hit her yelled.
"Sorry," she said, catching her breath as she continued running.
She only stopped when she was far enough from the place. The area was well-developed, an estate with tall buildings that seemed to touch the sky, their architecture grand and imposing, reflecting power and wealth.
Gwen shoved her hands into her hoodie pocket and felt the few crumpled bills she had left. That was all the money she had to her name. It wasn't enough for anything.
An hour later, rain began to fall, again.
Gwen barely noticed. She wandered through the streets with no destination in mind. She had nowhere to go anyway.
No apartment. No relatives. No friends willing to take her in.
Her belongings were destroyed already.
A bitter laugh escaped her. Just this morning she had been worried about paying rent. Now she was homeless.
Gwen didn't realize she was crying until a tear slipped into the corner of her mouth.
When did her life become this bad?
No matter how hard she tried, things only got worse. Her boss already fired her. Her mother's diagnosis was due soon. It was too much. Too suffocating.
It felt like the world was closing in on her, not giving her a chance to breathe.
When would things ever be okay again?
By the time Gwen reached the hospital, she was drenched.
Her mother was asleep when Gwen held her hand and broke down in tears. She missed her mother, her father, and the life they had before the tragedy.
Everything had happened so fast. She remembered how the police barged in, cuffing her father and dragging him away like a criminal without giving him a chance to explain.
Her mother had cried for days and nights.
A month later, she fell ill. They thought it was just a regular sickness until she collapsed one day, bleeding from her mouth and nose. She was rushed to the hospital, thanks to the neighbors.
The doctor explained her illness to Gwen, and she had used all her savings for treatment, desperate not to lose her.
Why was the world so cruel?
Gwen's phone dinged, snapping her out of her thoughts. Her eyes widened at the message that popped up.
Do you really think you can get away from me? Come over, we are not done yet.
Gwen's breath caught.
Lucien?
Her blood ran cold. How in the world did he get her number? What did he want with her?
She put her phone away, unwilling to respond.
Her phone dinged again.
Don't ignore me, or she won't leave to see daylight. I'm sure you don't want to see that side of me.
What the hell? He knew she was at the hospital?
Gwen's eyes darted around the ward, but she saw nothing unusual. She dashed outside and found no strange figures, just a few patients and nurses.
With trembling fingers, she texted back.
What do you want from me?
Instead, her phone rang immediately.
Gwen hesitated before answering, but in the end, she had no choice. This man had just threatened her mother's life.
"What do you want from me?" Gwen's voice shook despite her efforts to hide her fear.
"I want to make a deal with you," Lucien said.
"A deal? What kind of deal?"
"You'll have to come over to hear it, Gwen Brooks. Tonight."
"I'm not coming to you, and if you threaten my mother, I'll call the cops," Gwen said, jaw clenched, though she knew the threat was futile.
Lucien chuckled softly. "You amuse me, Gwen Brooks. How about this? I promise not to kill you or your mother. And if you come here right now, I'll pay you hundred thousand dollars."
Gwen's eyes widened. Hundred thousand dollars? Or had she heard wrong?
Wake up, Gwen. He's trying to lure you. Don't fall for it. She chided herself.
"I'm not stupid," Gwen muttered, gripping her phone tighter.
Lucien sighed. “I don't go back on my promises. I'm not like you, fragile humans. Now get over here, Gwendolyn Brooks, or I'll come pick you up myself. I'm sure you won't like that."
With that, the call ended.
"Miss Gwen," the doctor called from behind her.
As they sat in the doctor's office, Gwen struggled to focus, Lucien's words still lingering in her mind.
"Your mother's diagnosis schedule will have to change. It'll be sooner than expected. Her health isn't improving, and I won't lie to you, but we're close to understanding her condition. So close, Miss Gwen."
A whirlwind of emotions hit Gwen. Fear, anxiety, anger. She didn't know which one was strongest.
"So, when is the next diagnosis?" she asked.
"A day after tomorrow," the doctor replied.
"What?"
"I know it's sudden, but it's for the best, Miss Gwen," the doctor said, his gaze serious but filled with concern.
How in the world was she going to find eighty thousand dollars in two days?
She barely had enough money for food.
Just how was she going…It struck her.
Lucien's offer.
Hundred thousand dollars if she showed up at his doorstep.
No. That was too dangerous.
There was no way she was going there.
- Writer
