Chapter One

VALARIE'S POV

My heart pounded hard against my chest as I took in the sight of my brother running into the house

"Damn! What the hell are you running hard for..." I scowled and cursed under my breath, my mind racing with fear and panic. I stole a quick glance at him from his head down, trying to comprehend why he was sweating profusely.

"Valarie...run!" I heard one of them say to me without turning back. cars reeving and numerous hunks could be heard from the other part of the street. Without thinking, I dropped the bag he was carrying out the window. He jumped over the window and picked up the bag.

"What's the matter Alejandro?" I asked as panic and fear gripped me. My legs trembled uncontrollably.

"Are you coming or not?" He asked. His eyes are red and dangerous.

I stared at him and went back to the house taking a quick glance before I grabbed my stuff and jumped out the window.

The cars were already parked in front of our house and from the back of the building I could hear heavy boots lashing against the marble tiles.

"Ellos se han ido" I heard one of the men say in a deep frustrated voice.

We ran through the bush. My brother and I.  I panted heavily and I as I ran I made to breathe with my mouth

My feet felt unusually heavy and slippery, yet it didn't let that stop me from running. The ground beneath me blurred and shook as I raced for what seemed like an eternity. I knew that I had run farther and with more stamina than I would have attempted under normal circumstances. But the fear of being chased by a set of armed deadly men had given me an adrenaline boost I couldn't explain.

As I ran, I realized that the only thing standing between me and safety was my own human nature and sense of doubt. I was certain that the men had stronger abilities than I did, and I didn't want to put that to the test. I had no idea where I was running to, but I was determined to find safety at any cost by following my brother's lead and instructions.

For a moment, I couldn't gather my thoughts. I wanted to be far away from the human devourers, and my mind raced with thoughts of survival. At this point I wished I had superpowers like the ones I had seen in the movies. But I shook the thoughts out of my head, facing my reality once again. I didn't know if I was hurt, but I couldn't feel any pain from the thorns that had pierced my skin. The bush that had appeared as an obstacle to my survival was something I couldn't notice in my frantic escape.

"I can't continue," I said, panting and gasping for air.

"You can't do that now!" He said.

"But why are we running? What have you done this time?" I asked in frustration.

Stopped, surveying the bush a bit.

"El Macho would feed our flesh to the dogs if he found us".

Wait! How is that even possible? How could you get involved with such a dangerous man?

"I'm sorry Valarie, I gambled with the house and I lost".

"How dare you do that to us?" I cried and whimpered.

"That's the only property we have left".

"I'm sorry oAlejandro — I thought I could win just this last time… he paused. I did it for us".

"No—stop it! I was warned. My eyes burn red in anger and disgust.

"You didn't do it for us, you did it for yourself, for your own selfish reasons. Nowook what mess you brought to us. I cried and beat him on the chest.

"C'mon Valarie, we should sort this out, first you have to be safe".

"In the middle of nowhere?"

"No—I have a map.amd we are a few miles away from the main road. I already spoke with  Antonio to come pick us up.

"Where are we even going? I have no clothes, no money, nothing".

"I will sort that out", he cut in.

"You never sort anything out, all you do is ruin things for us. We have no family there" I snapped.

"Why don't you try walki6in my shoes before you judge me Valerie". He said to me with a blank expression on his face.

"Are you coming or not?"  He got up and began to walk fast this time. I paused and examined the bush again. I do not know how long we have been running but I was sure my step brother knows exactly where we are.

The sound of our pounding footsteps echoed through the woods brushing against frantic dried leaves from the mahogany trees, each step sending shockwaves of fear through my body. My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest, waiting for the slightest trigger to send it tumbling to the ground. Deep pants escaped my mouth and nose simultaneously as I sprinted through the forest, my heavy breathing sending thick waves of air billowing out from my lungs. Despite the weight of my wooden shoes, we remained focused on our escape, determined to outrun our chaser we made our way out of the forest.

"El Macho has vowed to eat my flesh, I can only run for a while but I will try my best to protect you".

  He took in a deep breath as he took a quick look at the map in his hand.

" We take the left turn to the south and the road is just a hundred meters away.

I hit the insect perching on my skin so hard that my skin turned red immediately.

As the sweat rolled down my face, I felt the challenge to save myself from certain death gave me renewed strength, pushing aside the weakness that was creeping into my bones. Despite the wounds I had sustained from the piercing thorns and the relentless scratching of the bushes, I refused to give up. I could feel a warm liquid substance dripping down my skin, and I knew it was my blood, but I was numb to the pain. All that mattered was running for my life, running for my safety.

In no time we were right at the main road, I sat at the edge of the road and hoped Antonio would come soon. I just when I was pondering on how quickly my life had turned from being a sweet younger lady to a displaced and homeless girl. The car honk got me jilting back to reality.

"He's here," Alejandro  said.

I got up and we both hopped into Anotonio's car.

"I'm sorry, Valarie, but the price for the bet was you".

"Alejandro !!!" I screamed. Too shocked to speak.

I blinked, unable to hold back the tears. I broke down into massive tears.and before I could ask where we were headed Antonio spoke hurriedly.

"There's a black sports car behind us," he said. Hands firm on the stirring.

Click. Click. Goes the sound of the metal my brother was holding.

A damn gun!!