Prologue

♪♪ Lily - Alan Walker, K-391, Emelie Hollow

✿✿✿

Los Angeles, USA,

2019

NIGHTS are so peaceful but mysterious.

People take the opportunity of killing, kidnapping, smuggling and doing so many illegal things at night because it's not tumultuous at all. Also people throw most of the parties and peaceful events at night.

Every night holds a mystery because of its darkness and opaqueness.

I love nights for its mysterious but so clam ambience. No tumultus, no noise, no yelling, no beating and no fear. It's just so tranquil.

But when sudden stormy wind starts blowing and dark blue sky turns dark grey, the night never stays calm. It becomes dangerous and more subtle.

I love it more because it's just like my life.

I was staring at the unremitting elaspe of the dark clouds and the scratches made by the lightning on the thorax of the sky.

There's a storm coming in the city.

Thinking of a storm, my bedroom door bursts open like the storm hits directly on it.

"Robbie! You scared me!" I yell at my big brother who looks kinda scary.

"I'm sorry, Li. I'm going through some shit. I'm so sorry." Robbie sits on my bed, grabbing his buzz cut head with both of his hands.

His muscular and tall frame almost covered my bedroom. My big brother, Robert Daniels is no good man but he's the best brother in the world to me.

"What happened, Robbie? You look... stressed?" I trail off, sitting beside my brother.

My fifteen-year-old mind going though a lot of things. Once Robbie told me he is involved in some illegal business including killing people.

But I know it's not his fault. Two years ago, my monstrous parents had put a broken glass on my tiny throat and made Robbie promise that he'd join this shitty job. Robbie was twenty years old then and he could just decline and leave the house long ago but he didn't because he cares about me more than his own life.

I watch Robbie's tensed frame, gulping the lump continuously like he's walking in the Sahara desert making the tattoo of a dead rose on his neck tremble everytime.

Heavy breeze is blowing outside and inside my cozy bedroom but still he's sweating like a pig. His sweaty tanned skin and pale face are reflecting on the mirror every time with the thunderbolts and lightning.

"Robbie? Tell me what happened." My grip on his hand tightens.

"I have to leave." He whispers, not looking at me.

Silence.

"But why? Where?" I manage to ask as I feel a lump in my throat.

Robbie never left the city. If he had to, he would send the other men in lieu of him.

"New York."

"Oh, it's okay. You can go, silly. I can take care of myself now." I sigh in relief before rolling my eyes and pat his back.

"Here I thought, you killed someone or someone wanted to kill you." I laugh throwing my head back and slam my body on the bed.

"It's more horrible than that, Li." He sighs and rubs his palms on his tired face.

"Shut up. I know you are concerned about me. But I don't want you to fall in trouble just because of me. Just go and finish your mission." I scoff before kicking his back, that makes his strong tattooed body tilt forward.

But he neither laughs nor grumbles this time.

He isn't acting like the real Robbie. That Robbie was funny, short-tempered, talkative and sometimes scary.

He straightens himself, lowers his head and tilts it a bit so that he can see me, "I'm leaving for ever."

I look at him like he's some joker. I know he's joking right now and scaring the hell out of me so that I stop him from going to New York and he can make fun of me in the future recalling this event.

"You joking, right? Why would you do that?" I sit up and glare at him.

"No, Li. I'm not joking. I entangled myself in some shit and if the boss knows about it, he'll destroy me. If I don't leave they'll also find you and kill you." He sighs.

"And you think they won't after you leave? You fucking kidding me?" I laughed.

"They don't know about you at all. Plus I can't take you with me because it'll increase the risk of your life. If I leave, then they will just chase after me. But if I take you, you'll also get involved. Trust me, Li. I'll come back for you." He explains and looks at me with helplessness.

"I don't understand a single shit that you're talking about!" I raise my voice, pushing myself off of the bed.

"Promise me, you'll be strong until then. Please don't miss the karate class. You've to learn self defense. I'm really sorry for everything. I don't want to leave you but I have to. I have to find a safe place for the two of us. I'll come back, I promise." Robbie follows me and grabs my shoulders to calm me down.

"Tell me, it's a prank. Robbie, you can't leave me alone with our crazy parents. Tell me everything. We'll definitely find a way together." I look into Robert's grey eyes in hope, but they are motionless.

"We have no way, Li. Those bitches won't touch you. I've my people set around you. You've to trust me." With that Robbie hugs me for the last time.

He pulls out from the hug after a few moments and makes his way out of the door. My heartbeat quickens as I look at him with teary eyes.

"I'll come back for you, if not, just think that I'm dead. Be strong and stay safe, Li."

Without giving me a chance to speak or stop him, Robbie disappeared into the pool of darkness.

I couldn't process anything that happened a few minutes ago. It's like a nightmare.

No, it has to be a fucking nightmare! Robbie would never leave me alone. Once he promised me that he'd protect me over his life.

How could he leave so suddenly and easily? I'm nothing but dreaming. I laugh mentally.

My father definitely hit me so hard on the head that I start hallucinating. I need to tell Robbie. He'd definitely make fun of me but he'd take me to a doctor.

But the feelings was so real. I start crying. I cried so hard until sleep evaded me.

But who knew, the next morning was going to change my life? Who knew, the next morning I had to face the bitter truth?