Chapter 1 Out

The sound of slowly creaking gates made Dahlia's sweaty hands wrap more tightly around her bag.

"Get out." The officer nodded his head in the direction outside and she took a deep breath, the last of prison air, before she finally stepped out.

Cold fresh air swept past her face and she exhaled breezily. It felt good to be outside, so good.

She walked to the other side and waited on the walkway for the car that would come and pick her. It was the day she was being released from prison. Surely, everyone would be here to welcome her, right?

The day got darker every passing second and soon, Dahlia had waited out her patience.

She caught sight of a car passing by and she instantly ran into the road, widening her arms as the car suddenly shrieked, coming to a stop right before it could hit her.

"I'm really sorry." Dahlia bowed her head down, her messy hair falling over her shoulders as she rushed to the window, "Can you just drop me off at the first avenue?"

The man's eyes swept over her, taking in her features. Rough hair, parched broken lips and black jean jacket on black trousers. She looked like she just came out of the prison.

"Please. I promise I won't soil your car." She said when she noticed the way he looked at her. "I'll place my bag under my b*tts. I won't touch anything." She said quickly, touching her bag.

He gave her one last look before he nodded his head. "Get in."

"Thank you so much. Thank you." Dahlia said breathlessly as she quickly got into the car from the other side, making sure not to touch it too much.

As she said, she placed her bag on the chair before sitting on it. The man glanced at her weirdly and then continued driving, while she sat in quiet, suffocating, uncomfortable silence.

"Did you just leave the prison?" He suddenly asked, with thick, low voice.

"Yes." Dahlia answered, almost quietly. No one would be proud to admit they'd just left prison. It wasn't exactly something to be glad about. But she couldn't lie. Not when he picked her up from the prison gates.

"There," She pointed at a stop in the street and he pulled over immediately.

"Thank you." She said quickly as she placed her hand to open the door. "I'll...." She glanced at him, "pay you back for this." She muttered.

He stared at her emotionlessly, "Yes, you will." He said.

She blinked in shock, before getting down from the car and closing the door. He sped away immediately.

"I've seen him before. That voice too." She shook her head slightly, twitching her lips as she tried to place his face. She failed.

She had to go home quickly. Draven would be waiting for her.

How would it feel to be back home after a year in prison? Dahlia didn't know. But she couldn't wait to get home and dip herself into a hot bath for hours.

The announcement board on the street caught her attention and she waited for a moment, her hands holding her bag on her back, her hair looking greasy underneath the street lights.

The picture of her sister appeared on the street and her eyes glimmered. "Evelyn." The name was like a whisper in her lips, sending amazing shivers down her spine. That...was her elder sister.

The news headlines plastered crazily on the newsboard and the smile on Dahlia's face shrank visibly, shock replacing her face.

EVELYN VEXLEY ANNOUNCES MARRIAGE TO DRAVEN MARROW.

Dahlia felt her world spin. A sharp headache knocked her head furiously. She hadn't felt like this when her parents told her she'd have to take the fall for an embezzlement she knew nothing about. She hadn't....

Dahlia had no time to think as her bag slipped down her shoulders and she ran crazily towards her house at the end of the street.

"Draven." The door was slightly open as she walked into the mansion, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. It was fine. This....this was just a welcome prank.

"Dahlia must be dead by now." The first sentence sent a shiver down her spine as she recognized her sister's voice. "I know she'd wait for us to come pick her off, so I sent the hitmen. It's almost 9pm." She said.

"How did you think of that? It'll be easier to kill her at night. Like expected, you are so smart, Evelyn." Draven's voice.

The stab felt so deep. Like her heart wrenched out with a dagger. It was extremely painful, she couldn't breath. Her hand closed over her mouth as a shocking gasp escaped her lips.

"What if they don't manage to kill her?" Draven asked.

"Why won't they?" Evelyn's voice went up a notch, "I paid eight thousand dollars for her life, they dare not fail. And if they fail, we'll have no choice than to keep on trying, until Dahlia falls dead."

Another gasp escaped Dahlia's throat, louder than the first.

"Did you hear that?" Evelyn asked cautiously and Dahlia's heart raced in her chest instantly.

She knew she'd be caught soon and if that happened, she'll die. Not now. Not yet.

Her legs took her out of the mansion as fast as they could, as she sprinted right into the road.

Blinding lights hit her eyes, and she looked away, the impact of the car driving into her seconds later sent her crashing into the ground.

A groan escaped from her lips as she hit the ground hardly, stars appearing in her gaze.

"Oh, sh*t." She heard the words of a familiar voice and she slipped into unconsciousness.