Chapter 5

At first there's an unbearable silence, but then as though a bell was rung; they all begin to chuckle. "What did you say kiddo?" A deep intimidating voice asks from ahead.

He seemed to be stronger than all four of the thugs, and their leader too. The stranger however, takes a challenging step forward, causing their chuckles to die down. 

"I said," the stranger replies threateningly, "let her go." he adds. Their leader cracks his knuckles and begins to approach him, but he doesn't take any step back. "And what if I don't?" he asks daringly, "you die." came the strangers' reply. 

The one who is currently holding me by the neck, lowers me to the ground but doesn't release me. "her?" He asks mockingly, pulling me to the front of the leader before tossing me to the stranger's feet. 

I groan at the impact, trying my best to balance the force between my hands though it still hurts.

My silver hair covers my face, while I cough. I try my best to breathe while  I rub my sore throat, my visions were hazy as well. This was bad, I couldn't even stand properly. 

"Are you alright?" The strange figure asked, stretching out a hand to help me. I look up, doing my best to blink away the haziness in my eyes as I try to make out his facial features. I wordlessly take it, surprised at his action while he pulls me to my feet.

"Barely." I answer, trying to balance my weight on my feet. "Can you stand?" He asks again, and I blink at the tenderness in his voice. Different from the coldness in his voice from earlier.

 I nod, "I think so." I say simply and he slips his hand out of my grasp, then he turns his head to the direction of the thugs. "Good, now I can handle these amateurs." He said.

The leader laughs, "Amateurs? Is that what you think of us?" He chuckles, "I'll show you what an amateur is." He said, charging at the stranger. 

"Then you'll learn not to interfere when men are  having their fun." he says as he tries to punch him. But he easily dodges, bending down and giving the thug leader a punch in the gut. I gasp, as he spews out blood.

The stranger wasn't kidding when he said he'll give them all death. I staggered back and nearly fell, luckily my back hit a pillar stabilizing me. The others seem infuriated by this, and rush to tackle the stranger down. 

Though they were strong, he was agile, fast, skilled, and powerful. His hits always hit home whenever he landed a punch. Soon they were all unable to move, and I just stood there horrified and partly terrified at the stranger's strength. 

He really wasn't bluffing when he said he'd kill them all, but for some reason he didn't. 

Perhaps because I was watching. My legs felt like jelly when he turned to me, I couldn't make out his face because of the darkness. Whoever he was, I was grateful to him.

"Thank you for your help." I say just as he attempts to pass me by, he halts. "There's no need. I would have minded my business if it didn't have anything to do with me." He replies, voice grave. What did he mean by that?

I don't let myself think over it too much, instead I clear my throat. "I could have saved myself too you know? I was just a bit scared and weak at the moment." I lie, trying to save my face.

 "A bit weak?" He scoffs, "didn't look like that to me." he adds. My cheeks burn red, and I was suddenly grateful it was dark. It would have been incredibly embarrassing if he had seen me blush, "I can protect myself too you know?" I say in a soft voice. 

"If you say so. Don't ever go running into dark places again." He says walking out on me.

Immediately dread washes over me, and I regret pushing him away for his help. Who would protect me if I ran into thugs again? I suddenly sprinted after him, more like staggered after him without thinking.

"Wait, I'm sorry." I say waving a hand frantically, but he keeps on walking like as though he hadn't heard me. "Are you listening? I said I'm sorry, okay? Just...please take me with you." I say.

It all happens so fast. He suddenly stops, and just as I stumble on my very own feet; he grabs onto my outstretched hand. My eyes widened at the contact as he pulled me closer, his hands felt warm I noted. 

I don't get enough time to think about that as he suddenly hits me with a hand by the neck. As soon as he does that, my body feels heavy and my eyelids close. Causing me to fall into his awaiting arms.

---

I just passed out in the arms of a stranger, oh no. I needed to wake up. I try my level best to bring myself back to consciousness but end up failing miserably.

Was I dead?

No, I realized. I wasn't dead neither was I conscious, I was currently reliving my worst memory in my sub-consciousness. The night my mother had died, I realized as the memory flashed before me.

My entire body feels heavy leaded, but what makes me feel like killing myself is when I hear my carefree voice. I was calling out to my mother, and laughing. 

I needed to wake up, I didn't want to relive this nightmare. I can't watch my mother die again, I just can't. All my efforts are futile , I'm stuck reliving her death. 

I forced myself to stay calm while all those hurtful memories flashed before my eyes.

That night, it was also as dark as tonight. My father couldn't come, my mother was well aware of the dangers. Yet, she chose to go home, but we couldn't make it. 

We were attacked by thugs, and she ended up dead.