DAISY

Flashback- one year ago (the night occurring in the prologue)

I was so stupid.

I couldn't react, as if my mind screamed run but I just stood frozen. Too shock to even move. My legs felt week, yet something stopped me from collapsing out of fear. I guess it was the fact that I had no idea what he would do to me if I were to pass out. Just an hour ago, he wiped my tears away, somewhat comforting me, and now he'll possibly be the reason my eyes leak in a few seconds.

Run! Now!

My brain chanted, finally getting through to my body. I did exactly that and sprinted in the other direction. I hastily kicked off my heels and bare-footed ran down the dark and cold streets. I was not the fastest runner, meaning I couldn't run to save my life, but the adrenaline rush caused from fear had me going faster than what I myself could imagine. Have you ever felt that way? For example, a dog chases you and you're so scared that you jump over some really high wall that you never ever imagined yourself jumping over? I was in that situation.

I didn't know if I should have fainted already, but I never seemed to stop. My life wasn't worth all this, but I was not giving up. I never did. Everyone's life was worth something. Even my pathetic one. So, I ran, I ran until I felt something latch around my wrist. A helpless cry escaped my lips as I realized that the whole situation was futile. One way or the other I knew he'd eventually get to me. Silent tears welled up in my eyes as the guy's arms came around my waist. He wrapped me securely and hoisted me off the ground. I tried to fight him off, but it was no use whatsoever. I sobbed as he walked us over to another alley. This one had numerous graffiti all over the walls, giving it an even scarier demeanor.

This was all my fault. This is what happened when you wondered in the streets alone at night.

"Hey," he said slowly, placing me down on my feet. I shivered as small shaky breaths left my mouth. Instinctively, I placed my hands over my eyes. In a way it comforted me, as if my hands hid me away from him. This was always what I did when I was scared in the past.

A small chuckle came from in front of me. I stopped crying, really confused. I peeked through my fingers to see the guy slowly raising his hands. It suddenly enclosed my own, bringing it away from my eyes. I blinked and looked at him confused.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He said, assuring me slightly.

"You wont?" I asked shakily in disbelief. This isn't what I envisioned happening. Was I really this luckily?

"Mm," he hummed.

"Why?" I blurted suddenly.

"What do you mean why? I'm not some creeper that walks around at night and pick on random girls. I dont condone violence against women." He said, placing a hand against the wall beside my head. I let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Why were you crying in the club?" He asked suddenly, asking me the same question he asked me before in the club.

He placed both hands either side of my head, trapping me. I gulped and glanced warily at his tattoos. Something silver caught my attention. A chain? A thin chain hung around his neck with a small circle pendant in the middle. It had a dragon symbol engraved into it, giving it an affectionate look.

"M-My friend broke my heart." I stuttered a reply. It was sort of true.

He frowned. "I will break his arms then."

"No!" I yelled. "It's a she. And I dont want anyone to hurt her."

"Oh." He murmured. "How old are you?"

"Sixteen." I replied.

His green eyes widened. "How did you get into the club then?"

"Fake ID." I answered.

"You're still so young." He breathed out. "I'm sorry that you had to see that, but you cant tell anyone about what you saw."

"B-but you-" I stuttered out.

"I would get into so much trouble," He whispered, bringing his face closer to mine causing me to inch further away. He was still a stranger in the dead of the night. Even though he claimed he wouldnt hurt me I still didnt trust him. "You cannot tell."

"I wont." I said instinctively, intoxicated by his scent.

"Good," He moved away from me. "Now go, go back to your friend and dont ever walk alone at night again, especially in this area. I might not be the one to find you next time."

I shivered at the implication and nodded vigorously.

"What's your name?" I couldnt help but ask.

"I don't have a name to you. Now leave and go straight home."

And then, I did exactly that.

I could still remember that day as if it happened a day ago instead of a year. I went to a club with Cassandra, and somehow ended up following a mysterious guy who screamed danger. I watched him nearly kill a guy.

I watched Jason nearly kill someone!

3 hours earlier

It was finally Friday- the day that my stress levels decreased and the moment everyone put their dancing shoes on. My essay was handed in and last period was finally over. I haven't had such great relief in a long time now and knowing that I had no studying left for the weekend was the best feeling ever, since I've got up to date with the work required of this week.

I was walking down the hall from class with Penny and Mavis by my sides. We were walking towards the library, deciding that it was the best thing to do in our free time.

"What kind of books are you getting at the library?" I asked.

"Romance." Penny replied.

"And me mystery. It's my favorite." Mavis smirked and wiggled her eyebrows. Not that I suspected anything else. Mavis was one of those tough, confident girls who was close-kept but when it came to have to defend herself, she unexpectedly came at you like a sumo wrestler with her verbal defense mechanism she had going on. I've experienced this first handedly. Then you got Penny and I, quiet even though people would walk over us like a welcome mat, very reserved and naive, even vulnerable in certain situations, yet speak as if our mouths were running taps when it came to friends.

I trailed my hands over the dusty bookshelves which clearly had only been touched by the librarians. My eyes scanned the titles on the thick spines of each book, and nearly popped as I spotted the perfect one.

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets.

I gasped and jumped in happiness.

"What's your deal?" Penny asked, chuckling.

"You tell me. I have just found the greatest book of all time." I gushed, hugging it tightly.

Both Penny and Mavis laughed, causing me to look away shyly.

After reading the tenth page of my decided book a vibration came from my phone. Curious to know who had messaged me I pulled my phone from my back jeans pocket and clicked on my inbox. It came from an unknown number and I immediately frowned. Who could it be?

Opening up the text I silently read it,

We need to talk.

I quickly typed a reply,

Who is this? - Daisy

It's me Jason, dumbass. Come to the dorm.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Maybe I was a dumbass for not realizing that only a jerk like Jason would text someone without greeting and being so blunt. I quickly saved him in my phone as 'Jason the jerk' with a cross besides his name meaning wrong or something. I thought his number could come in handy someday, that was totally the only reason I saved it.

I stood up to see Penny and Mavis intently reading their books. Guess I was not the only bookworm. "Guys?" I called.

"Yeah?" They murmured in sync, looking up.

"I have to go. A someone is looking for me." I informed them.

"Let me guess," Mavis butted. "Jason?"

"Yeah." I answered quietly.

"What for?" Penny wondered, tilting her head.

"I have no idea." I sighed. "But I don't want to keep him waiting."

"What are you? His slave?" Mavis asked.

"No." I denied quickly. "I just. . ."

"I'm kidding you," she laughed. "Just be careful with him okay?"

"I will." I assured her.

I smiled and pecked them on the cheeks before signing my book out and making my way towards my dorm room. When I got there, I noticed Jason's tensed figure sitting on his bed, an unexplainable expression on his face.

"Jason? What's wrong?" I asked calmly, settling my bag and book down onto the floor. His silence was scaring me, so I left the door open slightly.

"Shut the door."

Well, there goes my nothing.

I gulped and immediately shut the door, not wanting to aggravate him more than he surely looked.

"What's up?"

"A little birdy told me he saw you with my brother alone last night."

I shivered as his dark green eyes met mine. They looked deathly, and I couldn't help but wonder if what Ace had said the other night was true. Would Jason literally murder him with a butter knife if he asked me out on a date?

Oh wow, Daisy. Sure, that's absolutely what's going to happen.

"Yeah, he just-"

"I don't care what he just!" He suddenly snapped. "I care that you were out alone with a stranger. Do you know what this makes you? A desperate whore."

I looked at him in shock, wondering what I'd done wrong this time. He had no right to call me names- especially something so cheap and mean. How in the ever-loving goodness would being alone with Ace at night make me a whore? The term was disgusting and degrading, and no girl should ever be called that. I suddenly felt tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Wait, was I crying? I seriously couldn't be crying. But it was hard, especially because I have been the innocent one for so long and all people could do was call me name's and judge me.

Alexis also said that I looked like a judgmental bitch. Judging people by their appearance was completely uncalled for and immature. Good thing I didnt stick to being friends with her. I wouldnt want a friend that would criticize me whenever they could. I should be able to be me without anyone judging.

"You're an asshole and I hate you." I muttered while wiping at my tears angrily.

"Don't speak to me like that, Daisy. You have no idea what I'm capable of." He whispered lowly.

"Then why the hell don't you show me? I've been hearing so many bad things about you around campus, but are you really that bad? Or just a lonely little boy looking for attention." I snapped, a sudden boost of confidence running through me but that all vanished the moment I felt him roughly push me into the wall. I gasped, not because it hurt but it was unexpected.

"I never fucking heard you the first time. Care to repeat yourself, princess." He growled lowly.

I shivered in fear and my eyes widened.

"Uh, I..." I was speechless. He reminded me of someone I met at a club about a year and two months ago. He had a similar voice and the loveliest, darkest and deepest green eyes. He had all black clothing on and tattoos running up his arms. Any guy could have that as signature features, but there was something about this guy. He was consuming and something about him caused me a sense of peace and security. . . kind of like Jason did.

And then I remembered the thin silver chain that hung on his neck. The same chain with the dragon pendant and the same one that was currently hanging on Jason's neck! Could it be? Could Jason be the mysterious guy at the club that I hadn't forgot since that day?

I couldn't exactly see his face since it was dark.

Oh man, this was just golden. But why did it seem like he didn't recognize me? Jason suddenly cupped my face in his hands and stared intently into my eyes.

"Listen, Daisy. I could hurt you if I wanted-"

"But you won't," I blurted. "Because you're the mysterious guy at the club I had met a year ago and you said that you dont condone violence against women."

His eyes widened and then I knew my thoughts were confirmed.

Jason just got a buttload of explaining to do. And maybe after all this I would begin to realize just how dangerous he was.