Part 1

Years later

Hayley's POV

Waiting for the bus to arrive, I shuffled my playlist and felt relaxed when my favorite song just played. It was nearly dark and I have to get home before Rebecca finds me that I'm not yet in my room. She's one of my blockmates yet she acts like my elder sister. But I love the way she protects me, yet she doesn't have to. I can handle myself. I'm already 24 years old.

The ride was silent, but I'm struggling from my thoughts. It has been a couple of months since I stayed here in Bucharest. My brother didn't pay attention a lot to me, he already has his own family here, and I on the other hand has to take a job and live like an independent woman. I work in a coffee shop, full time employee so I have to work 10 hours a day, Wednesday is my free day.

I discarded all my stuffs on the table before stretching my aching body on the couch. Yawning, I pulled myself up to find something to eat and I was able to grab a bowl of salad, a box of cookies, and a glass of milk. Not bad for dinner.

Finishing my dinner, I quickly discarded them in the sink and made my way to the bathroom to take a long shower. And then I put on my pair of jeans and white top because I need to buy some stuff. 7 is not yet late, I think?

When I arrived at the store, I immediately grabbed what was needed and rushed to the counter. Once done, I immediately went outside to grab a taxi, but before I could take another step, two men just popped out behind me and they both grabbed my arms. To my surprise, it blocked me from thinking to defend myself. I collected my strength and kicked the guy's limb, once he let go of my hand, I elbowed the other one on the face as they both grunted in pain. I lunged on the other one as he tried to get up and punched him on the face. My stuffs were scattered all around but I didn't care, these guys are a thing to finish. The other one growled and said something in Romanian and hand himself a small knife. I nearly panicked at the sight of it. He threw himself at me and I back away throwing punch on his face and a kick on his abdomen. The other one swung his fist towards me but I blocked his hand. But all turned quiet as I felt a pain in my right side. I took a step back and put a hand where the stranger stabbed me. Blood. My vision became blurry. And I fell on my back, trying to ease the pain.

I tried to fix myself gathering my strength to stand up but I became weak, and I thought of losing blood.

My eyelids were slowly closing, for a minute, I payed attention when I heard grunts around me before I passed out...