Chapter 1 Fallen Into A Trap

Down the local streets of Eldrida, a run-down and shabby diner with peeling paint and a faded neon sign that flickers intermittently had just placed the closed sign on their door.

The air inside was thick with the scent of grease and stale coffee, the only sounds were the hum of the fluorescent lights and the distant clatter of dishes in the kitchen.

The booths were upholstered in faded red vinyl, the tabletops scratched and scuffed from years of use. The floors were linoleum, worn down to the concrete in places, and the walls were covered in peeling floral wallpaper.

Lily scooted away as the cup in her hand fell and hit the floor.

"Lily goddamn it you clumsy thing!" Her manager shouted from behind the counter. "Do you know how much it costs to get a cup?"

"I-I am sorry lady Bridget." She said as she quickly collected the brush to sweep of the mess.

Lily hated this. She works a lot but get shouted for.

The wages were so small, barely enough to cover rent and bills. Lily had been working at the diner for a few months now, and she was constantly struggling to make ends meet. She worked long hours and dealt with rude customers, all for a meager paycheck that barely covered her basic needs.

Despite the hardships, Lily tried to keep a positive attitude, reminding herself that things would get better one day. But as she found herself in the back booth counting the bills she had at hand, her dream of thinking that things would get better one day faded.

"Lily get back to work!" Her boss shouted from her office.

Lily let out a sigh, shoving the paper into her pockets. As Lily wiped down the last table in the small diner, sighing as she glanced at the clock. It was only 7 PM, but she already felt exhausted from her long day of work. As a waitress, she had to deal with grumpy customers, demanding orders, and a constant stream of dirty dishes and spilled drinks.

She hated it. She hated everything about living in the slumps.

She walked towards the counter to grab her tips and spotted Tobi, the cook, shaking his head and muttering to himself. "What's up, Tobi? You look as if you found a rat in your soup." Lily asked, trying to inject some cheer into the dreary atmosphere.

Tobi looked up and smiled at her. "Oh, nothing much. Just my girlfriend messing up our dinner plans again." He held up a burnt pan with a grimace. "I swear, she can't cook to save her life."

Lily laughed, feeling a spark of warmth in her chest. They usually hold their dinner plans in the diner. Enjoying themselves.

"But you still love her don't you?"

"Yup. Our love is as if we just met each other not too long ago."

"Awww, you are making me jealous," Lily said, holding her cheeks and giggling to myself.

Tobi shook his head, grinning. "You better get a man soon Lily, you need it. Love would make you younger"

Lily scoffed. "Been there done that, love did not put food on my table or my family's table."

Despite the long hours and low pay, working at the diner had moments of joy, like chatting with Tobi or making a customer's day with a simple smile or compliment. Lily has always been a bright side of a girl. Never go a day without putting a happy smile on her lips.

Lily was a petite woman, standing at around 5'2" with delicate features and long, dark hair that cascaded down her back in loose waves. Her eyes were a deep brown, with long lashes that accentuated their shape. Her skin was smooth and flawless, with a natural warmth that gave her a friendly, approachable vibe.

Despite her small stature, Lily had a certain toughness about her, a resilience that came from years of struggling to make ends meet.

She had a no-nonsense attitude and a sharp wit, always ready with a quip or a comeback to anyone who dared to cross her. Though on certain situations she may come out as weak.

She didn't have the expensive soft skin of a socialite but even in her casual attire, Lily had a certain grace and poise, a quiet confidence that drew people to her.

As she counted her tips and placed them in her pocket, feeling a sense of relief that her shift was finally over. She turned to leave but her boss called out to her.

"Lily, could you take out the trash for me? We've got a big pile in the back."

Lily groaned inwardly, knowing that taking out the trash meant walking through the dark alley behind the diner. She hated that part of the job, especially since she had heard stories of muggings and assaults in the area.

But she nodded and grabbed the overflowing garbage bag, steeling herself for the journey ahead. She stepped outside and felt a chill in the air, the moon casting an eerie glow over the empty street.

Lily's heart was pounding in her chest as she made her way through the dimly lit alley behind the restaurant.

She hated taking out the trash at night, and tonight was no exception. The air was thick with the musty smell of garbage, and the only sound was the crunch of broken glass under her feet.

As she approached the dumpster, she heard a faint whispering sound, like someone talking in hushed tones. She froze, her hand gripping the trash bag tightly. She strained her ears to hear more and soon made out the voices of two men standing just a few feet away.

Lily felt a surge of fear wash over her, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a plan. She knew she had to act fast to leave this alley. People that talk in hushed tones in dark alleyways are never good. They could be kidnappers, thieves, or even murderers.

The hair on her neck rose in fear. As she dumped the bag, she heard whispers coming from two men standing afar. She froze, trying her best to work without making any sounds but she could hear the little whispers.

"...the boss is not happy. He wants those bodies taken care of before the cops show up."

Lily's eyes widened in horror as she realized what they were talking about. Dead bodies? Was this some kind of murderer business? Why did she have to go take out the trash today?

She tried to move away quietly, but she accidentally hit the dumpster, making a loud noise that echoed through the alley. Lily's heart ran a few miles per hour. She knew would be in big trouble now. The men turned around, their eyes narrowing as they saw her.

"Looks like we've got a witness," one of them said, grabbing Lily's hand tightly. "You're coming with us, girl."

"No I am not," Lily said angrily and was about to shout, hoping someone would come out to at least help. Maybe Tobi would hear and come hit them with his frying pan.

"You would do well to keep your mouth shut girl. You would only put yourself in more trouble" The other man said.

Lily struggled to remove her hand from the man's grip, her heart pounding in her chest. Just as she thought all hope was lost, a sudden, deafening gunshot rang out, the sound echoing off the brick walls of the alley.

The man's grip on Lily's arm suddenly slackened, and she stumbled backward, barely able to keep her balance. She looked up and saw a figure emerging from the shadows, holding a smoking gun.

The other man, who had been reaching for his gun, froze in fear as the figure aimed at him. Another gunshot rang out, and Lily watched in shock as the man fell to the ground, a red stain spreading across his shirt.

For a moment, there was silence in the alley, broken only by Lily's labored breathing.

Lily was paralyzed with fear, not knowing what to do next. It seemed as if a greater evil had taken place.

No one was going to come out and save her, especially when there was a gunshot.

As she looked up, she saw a figure walking towards her. The person wore a mask, and she couldn't make out who it was. He slowly removed his mask, revealing a handsome face with a cold expression and piercing blue eyes.

Before she could even react, a bag was placed over her head, and a hard knock at the back of her head sent her spiraling into darkness.