ra's

d softly, reminding me I'd only had a stale piece of bread the night before. I took a deep breath, brushing my hair back into a loose ponytail and reaching for th

and a roof over my head. I quickly took my bath as I planned to get to work early in order to finish some tasks

lly sitting by a coffee shop, I waved at her and gave her a warm smile. She has been nothing but nice to me although s

me to look in case I came pretty early, when I saw that the bar was already open. It was strangely odd b

ing over the door. "Maybe my boss came in

ht from the hanging bulbs cast long shadows ove

ans

anging bottles on the shelves, wiping down the counters, it was comforting in its mo

ming from

nd was faint at first, almost like a muffled cry, but

the noise. Each step felt heavier than the last, my breath quickened. The so

My heart pounded so loudly I feared it would give me away. Peek

n

rn and her body trembling. Tears streamed out her eyes as she struggle

nez whimpered, her

ne to call the police. I didn't know what to do, I clasped my hand against my mouth in order not to make a sound. I wa

echoed through

iercing eyes locking onto the d

oor. My breaths came in ragged gasps as I reached for the handle, but before

, kicking and thrashing

a mask of fury. "You shouldn't have seen

and unfeeling. They didn't hesitate, pinning me to the ground and

ice hoarse. "I won't tell any

ag. Through the haze of pain, I saw Inez emerge from the back, clutching a torn piece of fabric a

t, reaching for her

doing that to me. She just stood there, tremb

napped, and one of the m

ng my eyes and waiting

dare touch

ade, deep and commanding. It wasn't a sho

e blood and tears. Standing in the doorway was a tall figure cloaked in shadow. His presence

?" my boss demanded,

't get a proper look because of the pain I was feeling. His expression was

his voice even colder,

ne moved. The tens

to me. He reached out his hand, his gaze s

dn't know who he was, but at that mo

oss regained his composure,

my boss Peter and whatever my bo

sidered as my saviour orde

his men backed away, re

n said to me, his

, I let him help me to my feet. Whoev