Iris POV 

A car screeched to a halt in front of me. The door swung open, and there he was my savior, David. Without any hesitation, I ran inside. The moment I shut the door, he floored the accelerator. The car shot forward, cutting the air like smooth butter. David is the best at it.

He pulled into an underground parking area of a tall building, and no one could suspect we were hiding here.

David turned off the engine and stepped out, as I did a wide smile on his face as he came around to me.

He opened his arms for a hug, but I instinctively stepped back. He stopped patting the back of his head awkwardly.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I forgot you don’t like physical touch.”

I shook my head gently. “It’s okay.”

He nodded, then led me inside. The elevator hummed softly as it carried us upward. We stopped on one of the higher floors, where David pulled out a key from his pocket and unlocked the door of a neat apartment. He puts the key into my hand.

“This is yours for now,” he said, “But don’t you dare make a mess in here.”

I raised my hand on my head in a mock salute. “Okay, sir.”

He laughed. “There’s food in the kitchen, groceries stocked, and everything you’ll need. If you run out of anything, just call me.”

Then, lowering he added, “For you, I’m taking a big risk. My butt still hurts from the last time. Your father’s Hulk, like a bodyguard handprint, is still there. My girlfriend thought I was either cheating or secretly gay. She left me.”

I burst out laughing, “You ungrateful,” he said as he pointed his fingers towards me. “Stop laughing or I will throw you out of the window”. 

“I am not laughing, look,” I said, pointing towards myself. I tried to close my lips by force.

He rolled his eyes looking at my acting. “Bye, I am going.” As he turned to go I called him. 

“David."

He stops and moves towards me. “What?” He asked with irritation and love to irritate him. But for now, I am really grateful to him for saving me, like always he does.

“Thank you so much, David. Really.”

I said from the bottom of my heart. He is my best friend. We have known each other since childhood. He has been there for me, always helping me.

His expression changed to a warm one as he smiled warmly. “There is no need for it, just find me a hot girlfriend.” He winked. I can't stop the smile on my face. 

He headed for the door, and I yawned, exhaustion finally catching up to me

“Bye. Drive safe, and don’t drive like a maniac this time.

“As you wish, beautiful,” he teased before disappearing down the hall.

I stood in the quiet apartment, staring at everything but particularly at nothing. My eyes landed on the fridge and my stomach growled. 

I shoved the thought aside, opened the fridge, grabbed something quick, and ate like I hadn’t had a meal in years.

My father and Xavier bestreet probably thought I had fled the state or maybe even the country. But I knew they both wouldn’t bother searching here, in their own territory. The first and last rule of hiding is never try to hide. Try to manipulate.

After some time, that asshole will get over me, because I know those bastards, they never stop at one.

I didn’t remember when my body collapsed onto the mattress. Sleep swallowed me whole.

In the morning I jolted awake with an unpleasant discovery. My clothes were stained with blood. My period had started overnight. And there is no pad. I look everywhere in the apartment.

I couldn’t ask David for help, he was probably still asleep. And besides, the thought of telling him made me feel… awkward.

I put my hair into a clutcher, grabbed a hoodie, changed into it, and slipped out of the apartment. The streets here were quiet, and to my dismay, there wasn’t a single shop nearby.

I stopped a girl walking past and asked where I could find one. She told me the nearest shop was a little far so I'd need to take a bus. So I waited at the bus stop…. A girl came here, maybe ten years old, but the way she has a caring attitude, she can shame any model. 

She came and sat beside me. I tried to step out of my usual quiet personality, telling myself I should at least try to be a little extroverted with a child.

I held out my hand toward her. “Hey, cutie.”

She turned her head, eyes sharp for her age. “Hi. But don’t call me cutie,” she said, rolling her eyes.

I quickly pulled my hand back. Why do I have to embarrass myself like this? Staring down at my lap, I suddenly noticed a tiny fist appear in front of my eyes. Slowly, her fingers uncurled around a piece of chocolate.

I blinked and looked up at her, surprised. “Is this for me?” I asked, needing to be sure.

“Do you see anyone else here?” she shot back.

She is something. I smiled at her while taking it. It’s usually old people who give chocolate to kids, but I am not that old. I can take the chocolate. I smiled looking at it.

“You’re so childish,” she said suddenly, breaking through my thoughts.

Childish? Me? Hell no. A child was actually calling me a child.

“I am not, and listen, child, you are the one here who is a child.” She fixed her already fixed hair as she said, “Age doesn’t decide maturity. Personality does. And from what I see…….” She pushes, running her eyes up and down giving me my answer. Oh my God, this girl.

I know I was looking like a beggar in my clothes. My hair was a mess. Compared to her neat little dress, shining shoes, and looking like a beggar beside royalty.

Even a little child is making fun of me. I tried to change the topic. “Where are your parents? You should be with your parents.”

“I am okay without your concern. I just came for a walk.” Saying that, she got up, put her glasses back on, and walked away.

I just looked at her in shock. From where does she learn these things? She walked a little farther away from my gaze.

I looked at her back as she walked like a model on a runway. Her shoulder-length hair flapped as she moved, with elegance in every step speaking confidence. I turned my gaze toward the chocolate in my hand, and an unknown smile formed on my lips. 

Again, when my attention turned toward the direction she had gone, as soon as I lifted my eyes, they got stuck. No… no… My legs ran on their own. My heartbeat was racing. Please, no.

My hands trembled as I ran as fast as I could, but that masked man put a cloth over her mouth and nose, grabbing her from behind. A smirk formed on his lips as his eyes caught me running towards them. She was trying hard to get out of his hold, her body shaking in that man’s grip.

I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, desperation burning in my chest. My foot tangled on the rough road and I crashed hard against the ground. Pain came from the scrape, sharp and immediate, but I couldn’t stop now. I pushed myself up, forcing my body forward. 

I had to save her. I couldn’t let this happen.

I pushed harder, closing the distance, I was almost close enough to reach them when they shoved her into the car.

A truck roared past, blocking my view for a heartbeat, and by the time it cleared, the car was gone.