Flora's POV
My chest heaved with every step, my breath visible in the cold night air as I fled through the unfamiliar streets. My legs screamed for rest, but I couldn’t stop. Not now. Not with the echo of Lucian’s words still lingering in my ears, each syllable a chain trying to drag me back.
You’re mine. For as long as I live.
The thought alone sent shivers down my spine. I couldn’t let him find me again. I wouldn’t.
I turned another corner, the towering buildings around me offering no solace. The city was an endless maze, every street more foreign than the last. My bare feet stung with every step on the icy pavement, but the pain was a small price to pay for freedom.
Suddenly, the distant roar of an engine made my heart lurch. I glanced toward the road just in time to see blinding headlights speeding toward me. Panic seized me, freezing my legs in place.
The car’s horn blared, and the screech of brakes filled the air as it swerved, missing me by inches.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” the driver shouted before speeding off, his taillights disappearing into the darkness.
I stumbled onto the sidewalk, clutching my chest as I tried to catch my breath. My hands trembled as I looked around. I had to keep moving, but my body felt like it was about to give out.
Just as despair began to creep in, I saw the familiar glow of a cab’s headlights cutting through the night. Hope surged in my chest as I flagged it down, the car pulling up beside me with a low hum.
The driver rolled down the window, his weathered face creased with concern. “You okay, miss? Need a ride?”
I nodded, my voice shaky as I answered, “Yes, please.”
Sliding into the backseat, I sank into the worn leather, the faint scent of cigarettes and pine filling the space.
“Where to?” the driver asked, adjusting his rearview mirror to glance at me.
I froze. I had no idea where I was, let alone where I should go. After a moment’s hesitation, I blurted out, “Take me to a bar. Any bar. Just far from here.”
He raised an eyebrow but didn’t question me further. “All right, I know a place. Sit tight.”
The cab lurched into motion, and I pressed my forehead against the window, watching the city blur past. Neon lights illuminated the streets, casting eerie shadows on the pavement.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” the driver asked after a few minutes of silence.
“What gave it away?” I muttered, trying to muster some semblance of humor.
He chuckled softly. “Well, for starters, you look lost. And this isn’t exactly the kind of neighborhood people wander into for fun.”
I bit my lip, unsure how much to say. “I’m...new. Just trying to find my way around.”
The driver nodded knowingly. “Well, you’ve got guts being out here alone at this hour. Not the safest place, you know.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to figure that out,” I muttered, running a hand through my tangled hair.
I reached into the folds of my dress, my heart sinking when I realized my phone was gone. My pulse quickened as panic set in. Without it, I had no way of reaching anyone. No way of finding help.
“Something wrong?” the driver asked, his gaze flicking to me in the mirror.
“I think I left my phone,” I admitted, rubbing my temples. “Great. Just great.”
“No way to call anyone, huh?” he said, his tone sympathetic. “Well, don’t beat yourself up. You’ll figure it out.”
I nodded absently, my mind racing. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down, not now.
The cab pulled up in front of a small, dimly lit bar. The neon sign above the door flickered, casting the name The Rusty Tap in a pale red glow.
“That’ll be fifteen,” the driver said, turning to face me.
I froze again. No phone, no purse, no money. “Uh...can you hold on a moment? I need to grab my purse inside,” I lied, hoping he wouldn’t press me.
He frowned slightly but nodded. “I’ll wait.”
I stepped out of the cab, my legs still unsteady as I approached the bar. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and the scent of stale beer. The low hum of voices filled the room, mingling with the occasional clink of glasses.
As I made my way to the counter, a lanky man behind the bar spotted me and broke into a grin. “Well, well, if it isn’t Dahlia,” he said, wiping a glass with a rag. “You’re back early.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “You know me?”
“Of course I do,” he said, giving me a look like I’d just asked him if the sky was blue.
Before I could respond, a group of men at a nearby table turned their attention to me. One of them raised his glass in a mock toast, while another winked. My stomach churned, but I forced myself to ignore them.
“Listen,” I said, turning back to the bartender. “Can I get a bill note? I need to pay for my ride outside.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Still haven’t paid for the last one you took,” he said, his tone teasing.
I managed a tight smile. “I’ll settle it soon. Promise.”
He handed me a crumpled bill with a smirk. “Don’t keep him waiting too long.”
I hurried back outside, handing the note to the driver. “Thanks for waiting,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
He gave me a small nod. “Take care, Dahlia.”
I watched as the cab disappeared into the night before turning back to the bar. The realization hit me like a brick—I was stranded, no phone, no plan, no idea where to go next.
Inside, I returned to the counter and slid onto a stool, my fingers drumming nervously against the wood.
The bartender leaned over, his grin still in place. “What’s your poison tonight?”
“Just water,” I said quickly, not wanting to let my guard down.
He chuckled but poured me a glass, sliding it across the counter. “You’re not your usual self tonight. Everything okay?”
“Rough day,” I muttered, taking a sip of the water.
“Funny,” he said, lowering his voice slightly. “Lucian was here a couple nights ago. You two cross paths?”
I stiffened, my grip tightening on the glass. “No,” I said sharply. “We didn’t.”
He studied me for a moment, then shrugged. “He’s a regular, you know. Comes in all the time.”
My stomach twisted, but before I could respond, his gaze shifted toward the door. His expression changed, his usual smirk replaced by something closer to fear.
I followed his eyes, my heart sinking as I saw the figure stepping through the doorway.
Lucian.
Our eyes hadn't met yet, but I froze. There was no escape now if he saw me