4

I got up one morning and, out of the blue, a lot of people showed up. It was the first time I'd seen them. They walked into the room in the dark. I let out a scream and started to shaking when I saw them coming towards me.

Ugh! Shit! That guy is the same. He brought me here to use me as bait. My dad was the one who sold me out to the others. Just like the madam, he too...

“AGGH! ARGGGH!” I shouted, and the pain in my throat just kept getting worse.

There were four people holding my body really tightly, and I couldn't hear anything except my own voice. I'm trying to break free from their grasp. I want to escape this place and never look back. I won't be a slave to these disgusting people anymore. I should escape.

“Shiloh!” I couldn't help but notice that deep voice of his.

Tangerines. It’s smell like a Tangerines.

I opened my eyes, and there he was, running right at me. I could see him between the tears. His pheromones were so strong, they made me stop screaming. I spread my arms when he came and hugged me tightly.

"Shiloh, relax. Calm down." His voice kept ringing in my head.

I was holding his arm and could feel his skin under my fingers. I groaned, and my quivering body finally stopped as I realized that the entire room was filled with his pheromones.

"Everyone, please come out and give him some space to calm down." The man said in a pretty calm, kinda cold voice.

I was holding him pretty tightly, my heart was racing, and my sweat was dripping down my chest. I was still pretty scared, even though I wasn't shaking like before.

I'm pretty positive he'll sell me to those folks, but I'm not sure why I'd ask him for help.

"Shiloh... Hey, have you had a chance to cool down?"

"D...Don't sell me..." I tried to talk, but I was struggling to get the words out, like my throat was tight.

"Excuse me?!"

"No way. I'm begging you...please...don't put me back on the street as a prostitute." I looked up, and there he looked into my eyes. I could see him biting his lip and giving me a big hug, and patting my back while I cried in his arms.

I have no idea what happened.

The guy handed me a glass of water after I'd cried for almost an hour, and I felt way more calm. My tears had totally stopped. I took a sip of water, so he sat down next to me.

"Is it much better?" He asked in a soft tone.

I gave him a mug, and he put it on the nightstand. I nodded slowly just then, to answer his question. He gave a smile. I couldn't figure out what he was thinking. He's such a mystery.

"I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't sell me. I told him again, trying to beg him not to do that to me. I can help with some household chores. Honestly, I'm good at everything, but please, don't try to sell me." I begged like crazy, even though I'd never done it all before.

Then he looked at me.

"I won't sell you, Shiloh..."

I didn't say a word because I didn't get what he meant.

"They're the on-call nurses from the hospital. You're in a deep sleep state because of the drugs, they're taking care of you. Change your clothes and keep your core warm." He explained everything slowly.

I'm a bit puzzled, and I ask, "Why?" I asked, confused, wondering what was going on.

"Since you need intensive care, your body is really..." He paused mid-sentence. "Really desperate for help." He let out a sigh and pressed his forehead. I could smell his pheromones, the ones that are different from the Sweet Tangerines. I think he seems a tad frustrated at the moment.

"You get Hanahaki Disease, right?"

The question caught me off guard, and I gave a slow nod as I processed it.

"When did that happen again?"

I'm not really sure I want to go into that. To be honest, this disease reminds me of some of the worst memories of my life. I'd rather not think about it anymore. I'd rather forget it, honestly.

"Alright. You don't want to answer that, but you know why you have this disease, right?"

Yeah, I know.

I know exactly what's causing this disease.

Some people say this disease is nothing more than a myth. It's a beautiful disease, but it's also deadly. The first time I spit out those bright red petal-like things, I thought I was hallucinating. I thought I was still under the effects of the drugs my dad always forced me to take.

But then, when Dad brought me by force to the hospital and they checked me out, I did catch the disease. Hanahaki Disease.

"Shiloh..." He called my name, and it was like he pulled me back to reality.

"Yeah, I know." I'm not one to beat about the bush.

Honestly, I'd rather not see his face at the moment.

"If so, I hope you won't take it to the extreme when the nurses come in..."

I looked over, and there he was, our eyes locking. I thought he'd ask, and force me to spill the beans about who gave me this disease. Nah, he didn't ask a thing.

"They're just there to help you get better fast and you can ask them anything you want to know." He said.

He got up from his seat and left me alone. And then, the people who had freaked me out showed up and greeted me, apologizing for scaring me.

I awkwardly shook my head slowly and apologized to them instead.

I'm not sure why I'm here or why the guy helped me. I mean, he tried to help me recover, and I'm just not sure why. He did bring up my father's name, but it seemed like he wasn't really interested in selling me. I'm curious to know, but like he said, I need to take some time to heal first.