CHAPTER FOUR

I reached the bus station at 1am in the morning. It was a one hour walk. I met a few men and women who were waiting for the bus as well. I politely greeted them and sat on the bench waiting for the bus. It was quite cold. I was shivering and my teeth were chattering.

"Here my child take this it will keep you very warm" an old lady said lovingly handing me a soft cosy blanket.

"Thank you so much ma" I replied with so much gratitude. She nodded and I covered myself. I felt warm and protected.  Thirty minutes later the bus engine came roaring into the gravel road informing all of us that it was time to go. 

Moments later we all entered the bus and a few minutes later it was full and it started off. I glanced back at the bus station one last time I would never come back to this hell hole I once called home.

Leaving the place I've spent all my life hurts and I wish it wouldn't have to, I wish I could stay.

But I knew I would break that promise soon,because both of my loving were both buried here. I can't ever forget those beautiful memories I've come to love. I'll treasure them forever.

The journey was going to be long and I didn't know where I would end up in such a big place.

I hugged my bag tightly and sank into the leather seat soon my eyes fluttered closed and drifted to sleep. I began dreaming about the city and how I would cope in such a big place like New York. 

I chose to live in New York because it's where my parents met for the first time and fell in love.

They always told me their first meeting they were only just teenagers by then and they adored each other.

They always hoped that one day I would also find my true love here when I got older. And I have a feeling that very soon love finds people in the strangest places. I wonder how it will find me.

My charming prince would sweep me off my feet by surprise and I would helplessly fall head over heels in love with him. I would be his lady and he would certainly be my man.

I was just eighteen years old. I didn't have experience in the love department and I also haven't ever had a boyfriend before.

My first kiss would be the most blissful day of my life. Love would do wonders to me and complete my soul.

Someone kept shaking my shoulder continuously and I murmured something inherently in my sleep.

"Child wake up" a soft voice pleads.

My eyes flicker open and I let out a tired yawn rubbing my eyes sleepily.

My gaze was fixed on an elderly woman who was warmly smiling at me and I returned her smile politely.

It's been six hours already, huh time travels fast, finally in NYC it was time to face the real world with a poker face.

"Child we have arrived" she said tapping my shoulders and I warmly smiled at her stretching myself.

"Thank you for waking me up ma" I said softly with gratitude and appreciation. She nodded quietly and fondly and smiled at me.

I was here.

I took my bag and paid the driver my bus fare and the other elderly woman's fare as well.

"Thank you my child my God bless you" she beamed happily. She took me by surprise and hugged me tightly. She had a mother's caring heart and it reminded me that I got none of that from Lucinda.

"You're welcome," I said quietly.

She released me and cupped My cheeks gently.

"Take care of yourself child the city can be overwhelming and dangerous" she warns and I nod.

We said our goodbyes and we went our separate ways. I glanced back and she disappeared.

I didn't know anyone here and since I ran away in the middle of the night it was going to be a challenge, but I'm glad it's morning.

I kept looking around the city in surprise. It was very beautiful and it consisted of very tall buildings. They looked like they were made from glass.

Woah.

I kept looking around the city in awe and wondered if it was so amazing. I bet the people most have thought that it was strange.

I sat on a bench with a few people and they kept looking at me strangely.

"Hi, I am Soledae," I said coolly, offering my hand,but surprisingly the girls burst out laughing and left.

I shrugged and opened my bag and began eating a loaf of bread and later drank half of my water and ate a bit of fruit. Once I was done eating I packed up everything and I began exploring the city.

I kept staring at the huge billboards. They had different pictures to display. A lot of them were supermodels and perfume brands.

Wow.

An hour later.

It was now 6am in the morning. Many of the people were dressed in suits and expensive clothes, some of them were very sparkly.

Cool.

The boutique had the most fabulous dresses; they were so pretty and full of glitter and sequence just like the ones Maxima wore.

The high heels were so classy and costly but they were worth dying for no wonder Lucinda and Maxima waste money on these city things.

When I turned around some men were staring at me weirdly and a chill ran down my spine. I had a bad feeling I didn't return their sly smiles.

I left the place and began walking a few minutes later they began following me and that's when I got really scared.

Yikes.

I pushed through the crowds to try and escape them. My heart was thumping wildly in my chest and I started running faster.

"Hey golden locks wait up!" They yelled behind me.

I ran into a dead end and I was trapped. I was about to turn my heel,but they cornered me and smirked wickedly.

I let out a small gasp as the air left my lungs.

One of them started walking towards me slowly stalking me like a predator stalking its prey.

"Don't be shy golden locks we just want to talk to you" he says quietly he eyes me lustfully from head to toe.

And I force myself to speak up.

"I don't want any trouble and am new to the city just let me go..." I pleaded tearfully and they all burst out laughing.

"What's in the bag sweetheart?" One of them asks me to walk towards me while I move backwards.

"Nothing, only my clothes are-are in the bag" I replied softly as he cups my cheeks and forcely kisses me. And I push him away angrily while he staggers backwards.

His nostrils flare furiously, his hunch men try to strike,but he raises his hand to stop them staring at me strangely.

"She's mine I'll handle her it seems she's a stubborn one" he mutters quietly.

And I stood my ground.

Without warning he tore my dress exposing my breasts and cleavage  a scream escaped my lips.

He pushed to the ground hard. I picked up an iron rod and hit his head. He lazily collapsed to the ground. His hunch made me try to catch me and I threw the iron rod at them and made a run for it.

They began chasing me and I ran faster. I secured my bag  tightly and ran into the streets.

There was nothing magical about the city anymore, it was full of dangerous people and they were very cruel.

I kept bumping into many people, my Adeline pumping in my veins as I ran for my life.

"Catch her!" They screamed behind me I was out of breath.

I ran faster, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. I ran into the road and before I could realize I just heard a car's horn and I screamed.