1 A dangerous encounter

"Love is just one of the many dangerous things out there. I promise you."

Mariposa sighed over the phone. Again she was giving me advice. I guess maybe I need a little of it.. It's not like I'm desperate for love or anything. I just want to know more about it. My sister tells me I haven't experienced Real love. Just so called fake love. Love that has you crying every night. Love that makes people forget how much they adore you, the love that turns people into monsters.

"I know, you said this yesterday. I'm not a little girl any more, you don't have to act like my mom." I complain to the speaker.

"You're always gonna be my little sister, I'll give all the advice I want." Mariposa laughs.

"Ok whatever, I have to get to work. I'll talk to you tonight. Ok?"

"Fine, just actually take my advice, and try to get into a HEALTHY relationship." She says mockingly. I groan while hanging up the phone. My phone dings and a notification pops up on my screen.

Ali-

- hungover, cover my shift tonight.-

I roll my eyes to the text. Of course. It's always like this. I never get to come home early. And there's always creeps out by the time I walk home. One time, there was an older man that started cat-calling me, then got mad when I threw a broken glass bottle at him. Like, what? Then he proceeded to call the cops on me , and I got arrested for "continuous assault." I swear, these cops really tick me off.

I didn't even wanna work at a bar in the first place. I'm just paying back a favor.

I Gosh this job is lucky it pays well. I mean, bars usually have a lesser pay rate. But, Broken hearts is a pretty popular place. It's like hooters, but. More expensive. And the outfits are pretty tight. And show a bit of cleavage. Well, maybe not just a bit..

….

"Bye Violet see you tomorrow!" Amber yelled. I wave her off and yank my heels off, shoving them in my purse. I threw a few hundred bills in there as well, I always did love the tips. The rain patters on small metal trash cans, and old cars speed by. The sun had already gone down. This was usually where the creeps show up. A few blocks awake from the bar, in a long alley that was a shortcut into the side of town. I turn my head to a small muffle I hear in the distance. And slowly walk towards the noise. A man in black stands by a graffitied wall. I scan him with my eyes, and they quickly widen. A man is keeled in front of him, with a blood stained rope wrapping him defenseless. I can't see the man's face as his back is turned towards me. His arm slowly raises with a silver gun attached to his hand.

"Please no. I have a family!"The man yelled. A stream of tears ran down his face. "I don't want to do this." said a deep voice that sparked a warm sensation in me. "Then don't." said the confined man. "I meant I didn't wanna kill you like this. quickly, this is the least painful death I'll ever have to do. And it's unenjoyable for me. But a job is a job."

"No wait plea-"

The man's sentence was cut short as his body fell limp. He gasped for air, and blood flooded out of his open wounded neck. The gunshot echoed, startling me, my feet shuffled back. As I felt something come under my feet. I slowly fall backwards. My purse falls from my arm and my phone tumbles out. I scramble to my feet and my eyes travel from the ground to the tall figure standing in front of me. A cold hand grips around my neck and the brick wall that was once in front of me was now pressed against my back. The lack of clothing made the shiver that ran up my spine increase. My eyes shoot up to the man in front of me. Brown eyes stare back at me, and jet black hair tops his muscular figure off. My breath shallows. "What did you see?" He lowers himself to my level. His grip tightening around my neck."I saw your shitty aim." I blurt. Stepping closer. My arms extend pushing him away. His body latches towards mine and his hands shield me from escaping. I avoid his eyes. And scan his body once again. I feel his hot breath hitting my neck."You are pretty unlucky tonight huh sweetheart?"He whispers inching closer as I swallow hard And crease my lips into a smile. "Wrong place, wrong time." I say almost choking on my words. My hand gliding down my side. My eyes widen. "Don't move." The cold gun burrow rested on my lips. And his loose finger clicked the safety off.

Bang!