Blood streamed down her thighs as she stumbled through the rain-soaked road, her breaths ragged and shallow.
The night pressed in around her, oppressive and endless, broken only by the cold glow of flickering streetlights that cast eerie halos on the wet asphalt.
The red lingerie clung to her damp skin, the cold seeping through as the rain continued to fall.
She pulled the oversized coat tighter around her, its weight and warmth a small comfort against the chill of the night.
The quiet patter of raindrops on the pavement echoed her unease, but at least the coat hid her from prying eyes in the dim glow of the streetlights.
She walked slowly, each step heavy with pain.
Every part of her body ached—waves of nausea threatened to overwhelm her, and the wounds inside cut just as deep as those outside.
Mentally, physically—she was shattered, in every way imaginable.
Her trembling hand reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone.
For a moment, she hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen before typing her boyfriend's initials into the contact list.
A faint glimmer of hope, or perhaps desperation, flickered in her eyes as she stared at the name.
Wondering if he could help her,but all that he left for her was nothing other than a heartbreaking breakup.
-------
Nestled peacefully in the heart of a lush valley, the church rose gracefully, its stone walls warm and enduring, a testament to the faith of generations.
The roof, draped in ivy and softened by time, caught the first light of morning, casting a golden glow across the rolling hills.
A man with dark, tousled hair and wire-rimmed glasses lingered in the dim silence of the church.
The others had departed long ago, their footsteps fading into the distance, but he remained—an unwavering figure, still absorbed in the quiet rituals of his work.
"Chico,you may leave early with the others too"
The priest said to Chico who was organizing the bibles.
His middle-aged face softened by years of devotion.His salt-and-pepper hair framed a brow marked by wisdom and humility.
"No worries Father Francis,i will go home a little later" the younger one replied with a soft look in his face.
Father Francis nodded, his salt-and-pepper hair catching the light as he turned toward the exit.
"Don't overwork yourself, Chico," he said, his voice tinged with paternal care.
Father Francis gave him a silent nod,his expression one of quiet understanding, before turning and slowly making his way towards the door.
As Chico heard the sound of the door closed, he seized the moment in the quiet church.Without a word, he knelt silently before the altar.
He traced the sign of the cross on his chest, his fingers lingering for a brief moment, before he bowed his head and began his prayer.
"Our Father,Who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name—"
A sudden firm knocks echoed against the door which breaks the stillness and interrupts his prayer.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Hello is there anybody?Please open i need help."
KNOCK !KNOCK! KNOCK!
From beyond the door, a female voice rang out, strained and desperate, calling for help.
Curiosity tugged at him as he wondered who could be at the church door.
He rose to his feet, his footsteps soft against the floor as he approached and slowly opened it.
As the door opened, he was taken aback to find a woman standing there.
Her bold hairstyle caught his eye—a cascade of pink cotton candy hair streaked with a touch of purple, perfectly framing her wavy, short wolf cut.
Despite the striking look, his attention was quickly drawn to the deep, troubling wounds on her face, overshadowing her vibrant appearance.
"Miss what happened?" He asked with an empath look on his face.
The girl remained silent and her eyes distant.
Without a word, she hurried past him into the church, closing the door swiftly behind her as if seeking refuge from something unknown.
"Miss, are you alright? What's going on?"
She ignored him, peeking through the glass of the door with frantic, darting eyes.
"Are they still out there?" she muttered under her breath, almost to herself.
Chico stepped closer, his voice firm but kind.
"Miss, look at me. Who's out there? What happened to you?"
Startled, she turned to him as if noticing him for the first time.
"Ah, I'm sorry," she said, her voice cracking. "I—I didn't mean to barge in like this."
"It's alright," Chico said, his tone soothing.
"But I need to know what's going on. You're clearly hurt."
She touched her face absently, her fingers brushing the bruises.
"This? It's nothing. Just... ran into some bad people."
Chico frowned, his concern deepening.
"Bad people? Miss, if you're in danger, we need to call the police."
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head vehemently. "No! No police, please."
"Why not?"
She hesitated, fidgeting with the heart-shaped pendant on her black choker.
Finally, she spoke, her voice barely a whisper. "They're looking for me.If the police get involved, it'll only make things worse."
Chico sighed, trying to make sense of the situation.
"At least tell me what happened."
Her gaze dropped to the floor.
"It's... a long story."
"I've got time," Chico replied, crossing his arms.
------
Flashbacks
"Looks like I've won again. Pay up, everyone!" She gestured with a flourish, signaling the others to hand over their winnings.
Surrounding them, at least seven more men stood watch, keeping a keen eye on the game to ensure no one was cheating.
The men who lost glared at her, their frustration simmering beneath clenched jaws and tightly wound fists.
Her carefree demeanor only seemed to fuel their irritation.
Without a care in the world, the girl stood up, arms open wide, ready to collect the money piled on the table, a smug smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"Guys are we playing again?" She stupidly smiles with a careless grin while shuffling the deck of cards not knowing what's about to come next.
BAM!
A massive hand pushed her face onto the table which formed a bruise on her cheek and burst her lips open.
As she was shoved forward, some of the money and playing cards scattered across the floor, tumbling out of her grasp.
"Ouch let me go the hell?!" She yelled in pain as the guy kept pressing her head down and held her hands behind so she could not resist.
Everyone in the room burst into laughter at the sight of the pink-haired girl being put in her place, the sound echoing with a mix of satisfaction and lingering anger.
"Oi amigos,let's ruin this tiny brat"
The massive guy holding her down sneered, speaking to the others in the room.
She was on the brink of tears, her face contorted in pain, yet somehow, with a surge of desperation, she managed to break free.
Stumbling to her feet, she ran as fast as she could, escaping the grimy, threatening place until she found herself stumbling into the sanctuary of a church.
-----
Chico with a bombshell look taped on his face could not understand why she would even let herself be around dangerous men, moreover gambling with them.
But either way it must have been a terrible experience for her.
"Your situation seems to be way serious than i thought"
Chico's hand hovered over his cell phone, ready to call the police.
But before he could dial, he felt a hesitation, as if something held him back.
The girl's eyes locked onto his, wide with fear, her expression pleading silently.
She took a cautious step toward him, her voice barely a whisper.
''Please... don't.''
The raw desperation in her eyes made him pause, the weight of her silent request sinking in.
Chico was taken aback by her pleading gaze.
The urgency in her eyes left him momentarily speechless, and, despite his lingering curiosity, he reluctantly slid his phone back into his pocket.
He didn't fully understand why she refused help, but something in her demeanor told him it was a matter more complicated than he could yet grasp.
"Tonight, the church will be full of people... it'll be quiet..."
His words trailed off as his gaze unconsciously drifted over the girl's appearance.
She wore a black choker with a heart-shaped pendant around her neck, and an oversized t-shirt that barely covered her shorts, giving her an almost bottomless look.
It was the kind of outfit that would undoubtedly stir up whispers among the church's aunties, turning her into the latest gossip for sure.
The shorter one's expression faltered as she realized what he meant, disappointment creeping across her face.
She didn't have anywhere else to go, and her situation felt far too complicated.
Chico noticed the frown forming on her face and quickly reassured her.
"Don't worry," he said, his tone softening.
"My house is just near the church. If you don't mind, I can offer you a temporary place to stay."
His words seemed to lift the weight from her, a glimmer of hope returning to her eyes.