Chapter 2 Found By Devil

Kyra

And just like that, he lets me escape. The night is dark and terrifying. I run in the thin nightdress, cold biting my skin, but my body doesn’t notice. My legs carry me as fast as they can, and I keep glancing back, terrified someone might be following me.

When I reach the road, I sweat and gasp for breath. I hide behind the curb, desperately hoping for help.

A car appears. I wave frantically.

“Help me, please!” I shout as it stops.

A middle-aged man steps out.

“What’s wrong with you, young lady?” he asks, eyes wide but when he sees me, he freezes.

“Are you… a ghost?” he stammers.

“No! I need your help! Someone’s after me!” I pant.

“Why are you dressed like this?” he asks, confused.

“HELP ME! Will you?” I beg, trembling.

“And where should I drive you? My house?” he asks quickly.

“Anywhere… just get me out of here. It’s dangerous,” I gasp, climbing into the car.

“Oh my goodness!” he exclaims, starting the engine. He glances at me through the side mirror.

“Another Steven victim?” he finally asks.

“How did you know?” I gasp, my heart thumping. Is he working for Steven?

“You came from his mansion,” he says calmly. “Only his mansion is in this park. Seeing you like this confirms it.”

“Are you his man?” I ask nervously.

He changes the topic. “So, young lady, where should I drop you off?”

“Here,” I say, terrified. We’re near a bus station.

He stops the car. I get out quickly. He drives off, and I shiver at the cold and uncertainty. I can’t go back to my dad. I have nowhere else to go.

My adopted father raised me roughly. He never bought me proper clothes. I pay my own college tuition because he can’t. And now… after everything, he’d sell me again.

While shivering, I see the man’s car returning. Confused, I watch as it stops.

“Hop in,” he says.

“Why come back?” I ask.

“I’m leaving anyway…”

“No! I’m coming!” I blurt out, fear and relief mixing together.

“I’m Robert, by the way,” he says, staring at me.

“I’m Kyra,” I say, giggling nervously. His eyes go wide.

“Kyra? That’s a good name,” he smiles.

He drives me to his house. “I live with my family a wife and daughter,” he says, ringing the doorbell.

I nod, heart racing. I’m about to spend the night at a stranger’s house…

The door opens. Inside, everyone freezes. A middle-aged woman and a girl about my age glare at me.

“Who’s she?” the woman asks.

“She has nowhere to stay tonight. She was being kidnapped, so she’ll leave tomorrow,” Robert explains.

“And why is she staying here…” the woman asks suspiciously.

“Because I saw her first, and she asked for help,” Robert says firmly.

“Fine… I’ll prepare her room. Feel free young lady,” the woman says, smiling at me. I chuckle awkwardly.

The girl rolls her eyes.

“I don’t like her,” she hisses.

“Come on, Mary,” Robert says, sitting beside her.

“Whatever,” she mutters, rolling her eyes again.

The woman covers me with a coat and takes my hand.

“Mom!” the girl calls angrily.

“What, Maria?” her mother asks, confused.

“Never mind,” Maria says 

“Don’t mind her,” the woman says, smiling at me.

“She’s just childish,” she adds as she leads me to the room.

The room is a dream purple everywhere: bed covers, duvet, teddy bears. It’s perfect, like a room for a little girl.

“Wow, purple is my favorite color,” I smile.

“Really? My baby loved purple too, but she's not with us anymore” the woman says, bittersweet.

“I… I’m so sorry, ma’am,” I say softly.

“It’s okay. By the way, what’s your name?” she asks.

“I’m Kyra,” I reply. She freezes for a moment, staring at me.

“Are you okay, ma’am?” I ask, noticing her sudden tension.

“Yes… have a good night,” she says quickly, retreating.

I mutter to myself, climbing into bed. It’s really warm… I giggle softly.

Morning

Mrs. Robert left a beautiful purple dress for me. I hurry to the bathroom to wash up and put it on. Looking in the mirror, I almost forget I’m homeless and running from the devil himself.

Downstairs, everyone waits. But my blood runs cold when I see him, Steven! He’s sitting on the couch like a villain, eyes locked on me. My legs shake. I want to run, but his gaze freezes me.

“Why is he here? He’s dangerous!” I whisper to Mrs. Robert. She only smiles. Am I trapped?

“Girl, it’s not cute,” Maria mutters, rolling her eyes.

“I swear he kidnapped me!” I cry, shivering.

“Shut up. Why would Steven kidnap someone like you?” Maria asks.

“I’m taking her with me,” Steven declares, his gaze cutting through me.

“Huh… right, Mr. Steven,” Robert says awkwardly.

“He lied to everyone. Steven is not what he seems!” I cry, but no one believes me.

“But I’ll return her… just for a few days,” Steven says, smiling mischievously.

“But why? Why take her?” Maria asks, puppy-eyed.

“Because she’s mine,” Steven says, gripping my hand firmly. He leans close. “Didn’t I tell you I would find you?”