One more shot before I'm completely wasted!"

"Yes, continue drinking and you'll end up killing more brain cells than you were born with."

"That doesn't make any sense."

I know, Cassandra. Way to state the obvious. I shrugged and pushed an empty shot glass away from me. Just breathing in the stench of the cup below my nose had me nauseous. I haven't had anything to drink tonight, besides a sip of cocktail which I immediately knew was spiked. Someplace.

The music pounded, vibrating not just the walls and floors but also my whole being. It was as if the music matched my hysterically beating heart, resounding rapidly. The floors of the club shook when I walked, my five-inch heels not making it any easier. The clubs lighting was neon blue, green, pink, and yellow flashing wildly. It almost blinded me when I hadn't adjusted my eyes at first.

The moment I stepped into this vile, unfortunate place I knew I was not going to enjoy it. I did like a party occasionally but the ones where you ate cake and sang happy birthday to a little boy or girl. Instead, though, this was a party at a club somewhere on the bad side of town. The whole aura of the place screamed danger. This was confirmed by the mass of mad sweaty bodies having dry sex on the floor, the limitless amount of alcohol and the strong reeking drugs. I coughed unknowingly and sighed deeply.

I've tried inhaling and exhaling numerous amounts of times, but it never worked. All it did was make me realize just how much I despised the place.

My only sort of entertainment I had besides staring at my dead phone was Cassandra. Her wasted self-wobbled to the music besides me. I knew that any moment now she would be on the dance floor grinding on a stranger. I couldn't blame her though, I was the most boring person yet.

"Cass, just go. I can sense your displeasure towards me right now." I muttered, kind of amused at her moody expression. She shrugged casually, sipping on her tall glass of sparkling beer. The mere smell had me over the edge, I wondered what my reaction would be if I just had a sip.

"You wouldn't mind, would you?" Cassandra suddenly asked.

I looked at her expectant face. "Mind what?"

"That I hitch a ride with my fling tonight." She answered, glancing at me. Cass always did this. Wherever we went she blatantly left me there, without telling me whatsoever. It happened about six times already, that I found out she 'hitched' a ride with someone. It was okay because usually we were at the amusement park or something but right then I had a big problem with that. I wasn't going to hail a cab alone at night in the bad part of town. She couldn't leave me.

"Yes Cassandra, I do mind. I do not want to hail a cab alone. There are some strange people out there." I pointed out. She rolled her eyes.

"Don't be so dramatic, Daisy."

"Cassandra, you're the one who forced me here. So, whether you like it or not, you're stuck with me." I deadpanned, staring pointedly at her face. She turned herself so that she was completely facing me with a blank look on her face. I winced when I realized this was her emotionless look, she wouldn't care what came out of her mouth at times like this. The words would just spew wildly. The worst thing was that she wouldn't regret a thing the next day. I have learned to live with it because Cass was my only friend when I had no one. My parents didn't care, no siblings do, so in a way, Cassandra was the only one. Although she couldn't care less. All I was to her was one out of a hundred friends. I didn't care though, I relied on her.

"Stuck with you?" She chuckled menacingly. "Man up and get a grip. You're almost seventeen years old for fuck's sake. Yet, of course, little Daisy needs supervision. No wonder why your parents fucking left you." She spat harshly, a slight edge to her voice. My eyes widened at her outburst. She had gone far with her words, but not that far. Flashbacks of my parents raided my mind, and not two seconds later I felt the salty substance prickling my eyelids, before slowly cascading down my cheeks. The scratchy feel of my cheeks immediately became wet with tears. I recalled the times of my old life, and the misery I resided through. I thought I'd never get out of that hell, but when I finally did, I was thrown into the second. Where people constantly prod me with questions from before, leaving my mind a mixed frenzy where the bad memories couldn't escape. When I met Cassandra during unfortunate times, I thought I would finally be able to live a better life, though not as good as my dreams but okay. It was only a week later when I realized the person she was. An ungrateful person that didn't appreciate anyone or herself. Occasionally she slept with guys ten years older than her for money, she did and dealt drugs with the people she associated herself with. Drugs, money, sex, and alcohol is all that people like her needed. Ive always tried to see the good in her, but sometimes she crossed a line she and couldnt go back from.

Situations like these were when I realized that Cass was just holding me down. As soon as I got a stable job and money for college, I would be out of her life for good.

"Daisy, it came out harsh. I'm sorry." She sighed stressfully. Cassandra didn't have it easy going, but she didn't even try to make things better. The way I did, I deserved more than this life.

"Save it for someone who cares about you, Cass. I'm the only person who does yet you're not grateful the least bit. I swear when I get a proper job, you'll never hear of me again." I sniffed and shakily stood from my chair, tears still sliding down my cheeks. My heart sank when Cassandra made no move to stop me from possibly dying in the vile place in my vulnerable state. I wouldn't be surprised if she all but shrugged if I died. If only I could walk out of her life. Soon, I thought. Soon I'd be gone for good. With my five-inch heels, a dress that I might have possibly gotten me hurt in tonight and the only dignity I had left, I set off determinedly. I had to prove Cassandra wrong. I could take care of myself, no matter the situation. I could always find a way to make the best of a bad situation. Then again maybe it was just luck.

An electronic beat blasted loudly in the speakers, vibrating through my whole being. It was so loud I could barely hear myself think. I shuddered at the looks on most faces. They seemed to be in some trance, relating to the music, as their hips moved to the beat. Everyone's figure hovered over my five foot three one. I felt small and scared as I flew back and forth. No one seemed to notice the small underaged girl being treated like a rag doll in a sea of hovering crazy bodies. I blinked as more tears suddenly fell from my eyes. My eyes worked like a waterfall that couldn't be controlled. I couldn't stop it as my chest ached like crazy, I couldn't stand being here.

All my thoughts and emotions suddenly went still as I was pushed into a hard body. I felt like I was dying, sweating and I couldn't even handle the music. I just wished I could disappear or better yet, escape this misery.

"Watch where you're going. Fuck,"

I blinked when a deep voice floated in the air, suddenly being the only thing that I heard. I felt a dull ache in my head. For a few seconds, it pounded harshly before abruptly stopping. My blurry vision cleared, and my eyes seemed to stop working in slow motion. I blinked once again before finally looking up.

I recalled the strangers' words and suddenly realized why I was wrapped in a stranger's arms in the first place. My eyes widened when I looked straight into the most intense, angry eyes that were furiously stirring in rage. Through the mixture of forest green, black was very noticeable in his pair of emotionless eyes. For a split-second shock laced me, I have never met someone so emotionless.

"Are you fucking stupid or-"

My eyes widened when he spoke yet again. Fuck. His voice was deep, cold and overall scary. His intimidating voice cut short once he stared into my eyes. In a really weird way, that did not suit his sexy face, his eyes softened the slightest bit. I idly wondered why, when I realized that I was still crying. Could that possibly be the reason he thought twice before cussing at me?

The tattooed guy's hand suddenly raised. I shut my eyes tightly when I thought he would slap me, but slowly and hesitantly opened them when his thumb gently wiped at my tears. My breath caught in my throat at the gentle movement of his rough yet soft hand.

A smirk lit on his handsome face, his head inching closer to my own as the seconds passed.

"You're crying." He whispered. "May I ask why you're crying?"

I slowly and nervously nodded my head left and right as if to say 'no'. If stranger danger wanted to know about my whole life story, then he would be obligated to ask me that question. But that would probably take an hour for me to completely tell him why exactly I was crying.

"No?" He asked, staring at me curiously.

"No." My voice wavered slightly, I doubt he even heard over the loud music

A chuckle left his lips. The solid arms around me disappeared off of my waist. I couldn't help but notice how cold it suddenly felt. Without realizing I felt cold, scared, unprotected and yet again alone. That feeling of comfort had lasted for a really short while.

"You're no fun, babe." His slender finger raised as he tapped my nose softly.

I blinked at the movement which widened his smirk. "You're cute. But I have to go." I nodded absentmindedly.

He smiled before disappearing into the crowd. For probably the tenth time tonight my eyes widened. Wait, come back! Crap. I thought as I searched the sea of people for the mystery guy. I groaned when I couldn't find him.

Where on earth had he gone?!

After thirty minutes of looking for the mystery guy, I finally spotted him in a way more secluded area. My eyes lit up as I watched him. I couldn't exactly hear him, but I knew he was trying to go unnoticed as he spoke to another guy. His face had a scowl on it, the smirk long gone replaced by a more intense and scarier look. Clad in a lowly hung, dark, black jeans and a white muscle tank, he looked incredibly sexy with dark hair messily on his head. The top was slightly longer than the sides, which in my opinion suited him even more. I sighed dreamily. Do you see how easily I trusted and liked people? His simple yet sweet gesture had me dreamily staring at him.

My eyes perked up when he handed a brown paper bag to the other guy, not even trying to be subtle. Drugs. It was not very hard to believe that the mystery guy dealt with drugs, but I suddenly wished he didn't. What did I expect though? My shoulders deflated in disappointment. Guys like him were too bad. They were not good for you. However, that didn't lower my curiosity levels because I found myself walking even closer. I peered at him behind a few dancing bodies. I tried to blend in by dancing a bit hoping it would work. The other guy walked away from him after slapping a wad of cash in his hand. It was obvious by now that it was drugs.

Right after that, mystery guy's eyes scanned the area. I quickly looked away in fear he might have seen me, but when I looked back, he wasn't there. Panicking for an unexplainable reason, I pushed people out of the way to the direction of where he possibly might have gone. I led myself to a door that nearly closed. My only guess was that he went outside. I quickly placed my hand there before it closed, scanned the area for anyone that was looking, and walked out of the door. Let's just hope that the statement 'curiosity killed the cat' was not true. The wind nipped at my bare legs and I shivered slightly. It felt more than refreshing to be away from all the funny smells inside.

I looked left then right, wondering which way I should choose. After my mental debate, I chose right, a direction my subconscious always led me to. Left was always the unlucky direction.

I walked slowly because of my high heels. After a while I ended up in an alleyway, but not the one near the club. A different one opposite the road where slight grunts and sounds of pain were coming from. From a distance, you could already tell it was male. I shivered, not because of the wind but out of fear. Maybe I should have just turned back and found Cassandra. I left my purse and everything with her. Ten dollars, my phone, and gum. My cab money was in there, so I needed that purse. But you already made it this far.

A loud groan was heard, followed by a scream of pain. I bit my lip hesitantly. What if I died tonight? I was sure no one would even care or notice. I would just die a lonely death if that was what God wanted for me. I wouldn't have to suffer endless sleepless nights and loneliness anymore.

I chewed harshly on my lip and quickly walked towards the sounds of pain. What I saw, shocked me past limits. The mystery guy had another guy securely around his neck. He sent a harsh blow to the guy's stomach as the guy wheezed in pain. I hid behind a large container trash can and peeked at the commotion.

I was so going to die tonight. What an idiot I was? Any normal person would have run the second they heard suspicious sounds, or even called the police. But I wasnt any normal person.

"Two weeks, Gibson. I gave you an extra two weeks to make the payment. Yet here you are, fucking blank. Do you think I'm playing with you? Huh? Answer me you low life scum!" I winced. My heart beating twice as fast as before. I shrunk back and suddenly wished for this night to end as fear overtook me. A sickening crack was heard as he punched 'Gibson' in the center of his face. I winced, tears suddenly prickling at my eyes. I stood up not wanting to see anymore, but Gibson's pleas were getting the better of me.

"I've had enough with you, man. After I'm done with this, we'll see how well your family appreciate my visit." The mystery guy chuckled evilly.

"No please, please don't do this."

I blinked rapidly. His family? What kind of cruel bastard would say something like that? Before I knew it, I gasped involuntarily and with wide eyes stared at the unknown guy. Now, since I was fully in his vision of sight, his eyes snapped over to me.

A cold look overtook his eyes, as he struck a sharp metal object into Gibson's arm, intentionally knocking him out cold. He dropped his knife, fully turning to face me. My heartbeat slowly began increasing its pace out of fear. The guy advanced towards me, slowly yet menacingly. That bit of softness he had towards me from before had disappeared completely, now her eyes were raging black. He looked like a cold-hearted killer, and my eyes widened in disbelief.

I was so stupid.