Water sipped through my footwear as I ran as quickly as I could. The trees didn't offer any shelter and the raindrops, the size of an almond, were absorbed into my clothes. It was until I finally found a road that I stopped running and trying to catch my breath.

Some cars passed by, while some of them slowed down but as quickly as they saw in what condition I, their speed again increased.

I was silently praying for a taxi to drive by so I could escape. It seemed as my prayers were heard as I saw a noticeable yellow car flashing down the street. I eagerly waved at the driver. My signaling made him stop and open the backseat door.

Without hesitation I dropped my heavy body on the dry seats and waved with the hand to move.

"Where to?" he asked nonchalantly. I waited for a second before I answered in a hoarse voice: "As far as possible."

----------------

"Is this far enough for you, miss?" the driver asked. I was being driven by another taxi. Before I took the second one, I had been transported to the other side of the city. That was a total of 3-hour drive.

I blankly looked out at the passing buildings and people with umbrellas. I silently calculated in my mind ... The current ride took more than half an hour.

The purse, the only thing I had, was lazily put beside me and the front door. My gaze rested on it, as I was wondering if I should open the content or not. My fingers were aching to touch the familiar device I had forgotten at my apartment, but surely, I wasn't that stupid to step into that place. Dizziness caught up with me, light-headedness was right after it.

As I was sitting, everything felt so surreal. So unbelievable that it made me sick. I needn't have run away. I closed my eyes.

What a coward I am.

I ignored the driver's question and averted my look to the outside world. As we passed the old building, that was hovering all the buildings in the vicinity, I cried: "Stop!" The poor man, in horror forcefully pushed the breaks and signed in relief when he saw that no one got hurt. He was already preparing to give me dirty eye, but I had left, as I put the money on the before occupied seat.

I quickly glanced at the sign that was plastered on the door, with a program-used writing, that stated: "Police station".

When I entered, all soaking wet, I thought no gaze would stop upon my presence. But my assumption was utterly wrong, as many curious heads turned to see a trembling girl in the lobby.

I tried to ignore them and took a deep breath, so I could hold it nervously until I reached the reception area. The attention was growing every second, as my snickers squalled after every step due to the absorbed water.

I stopped at the counter, with a man in his late 30's, trying to give the impression of writing something on the computer.

"How may I help you ma'am?" he asked in an overly courtesy voice.

"I-I-I-would like to report..."

The possible word "murder" stuck in my throat. "A.." He saw how I was struggling, so he quickly changed the topic and asked me, looking at some kind of base of information: "What's your name first? Last name?"

"Y/n L/n," he nodded, seemingly in relieved as he got info that he acquired from me. A deep silence hung in the air as he then excitedly exclaimed: "Aha, I see where the problem is!"

He span in the chair and called for someone. As seconds passed, feeling more confused than ever, an older male stuttered to the younger, skeptically raising a brow. "What is it Peterson?"

"Look, sir, " he pointed at the screen. "There is the girl they have been discussing about on the TV for 2 hours. You, know, from that accident?" Shocked overruled my expression.

"Yeah, it is her..." he scratched his goatee and rumbled: "Why do youngsters cause so much trouble?"

He looked at me: "Miss, you shouldn't have done this! Your family is scared to death for you!"

I took a step back. My face went pale as I stuttered: "What? Umm..."

" Tch...You were lucky that Mr. Doflamingo took thigs into his own hands, as your parents were unable to report anything due to being accepted into hospital." he narrowed his eyes to the screen. "Consider yourself very lucky, Mr. Doflamingo took his precious time to immediately visit the burned mansion. He got really worried when he couldn't reach you." He praised the blond man.
What did he just say?

"B-b-burned house? W-w-when?"

The reaction seemed spontaneous as he rose his other brow: "You didn't know? I could have sworn that you looked astonished due to the accident. Miss, that happened 3 hours ago. All the police stations and firefighter stations were called in to get involved," he gave me a small smile.

"Luckily you are safe and sound so if you excuse me, I will just make a quick call to the Doflamingo Corp and informed them of your safety."

A policeman stopped at the desk suddenly turning his head towards me: "Is that the girl who has a high bounty on her head?" When the males affirmed, he silently mouthed a 'wow' and threw an expression to the employee.

"Yep, now please don't disturb me. I was informed to call immediately if we see the girl. They will then pick her up."

Oh no.

I made another step backwards. "That won't be necessary sir! I can manage by myself. It is really fine."

"Nonsense! You just wait for her and make yourself comfortable." The man dialed the number and brought the phone to his ear.

How in the right mind can I make myself cozy if I know a psychopath is coming to get me any minute.

Something clicked. I understood what kind of game that crazy bastard was playing. He informed all the stations so in case I came to report anything, others would be convinced that I was a missing girl and was stumbled upon the streets.

A tear the escaped from my eye. Is dad really dead? Did he manage to free himself?

I silently begged for this to be the case. But my faith was slowly disappearing as I got to the final conclusion what was going to happen in the next 5 minutes. He would come for me.
That is when I hastily turned and accidentally bumped into a at least 6 feet tall man with long blond hair, his face covered with a mask. I silently apologized and urged myself to run faster, only to abruptly slam the door as I exited.

I was again on the loose. The employees were screaming at my disappearing sight.

What am I going to do now?

I could call Nami or Robin...But as a smart 17-year old teen, I easily understood how dangerous that would be.

No, I shouldn't drag anyone in this situation.

____________________________________________________________________________

I was lost. Utterly lost. I ran down the street, meanwhile bumping into the innocent by passers. Every person with their head down moved at maximum speed. The sound of feet on the wet stones was almost lost against the humming of the traffic cars, only the unsteady breathing was clear.

I made some short-cuts and turned into a small alleyway. My legs were already shaking from the cold and exhaustion that caught up after some time. I was a bit ashamed for being a fool and cutting P.E. And also, for not knowing where the hell I ended up. The streets were unfamiliar to me. And they seemed a bit...not so safe.

When I sat on the seemingly dry ground, I laid my head on the concrete and closed my eyes, taking quick small breaths in between.

Stop it! Get a freaking grip...
Oh, who am I kidding...what am I supposed to do?

Sure, I had some cash on me, but let's face it. If I were to use the credit card, Doflamingo would surely locate the points where I had spent my time and track me down.

Dad isn't dead. I am sure of it! Heck' he is the strongest man I have ever seen. I nodded to myself knowingly.

After 20 minutes of just staring at the redbrick wall that faced me, I was getting a bit tired. My eyelids closed from time to time, so I had to use all of my remaining energy to stay awake. Some stubborn lights were still shining while others were shattered. The good thing was that I was still able see blurry sights that were moving.

"Hello," greeted a deep voice, feet appearing in front of me. "You are that girl from the station."
I lifted my head. And to my unfortune I saw the man which I accidentally bumped into. The street remained silent.
He looked rather different without a uniform. His messy blond hair was tangled and his masked came more to the foreground. Now it radiated a more dangerous feeling. I gulped, still frozen to my seat.

"It' s a good thing you ran from there. You spared me quite some effort. Boss will be pleased."
"Stay away!" I said trying to act tough, while internally being scared.
"Hmmm," said the masked man, carefully studying me. "No, I am fine being right here."
I looked down.
And then someone yelled.
"Oi, Killer! Did you find her!?" another deep, but a huskier voice yelled. I flinched at the sound of his voice as I became more scared. I unconsciously tugged the blonde's t-shirt and with a pleading voice begged:
"Please... let me go!"
I didn't know if that was just my imagination, but I could feel for a fragment of a second his hesitation.
"Sadly, that isn't my call." he signed.

Heavy sound of boots hit the ground numerous times before it appeared in front of me.

Older men stood in a half circle way, blocking my path to freedom.

"Please move," I pleaded timidly. Laughs filled the space around us. Some of them were commenting and with their sickening glares going through my body.

My skin went ashen and my eyesight blurred, but not because tears were welling up. Everything became fuzzy. All the force was drained from me in matter of seconds as I stumbled forward. But before the blackness consumed my mind, I felt strong arms grabbing me and a glimpse of red hair was the last thing I saw before I fainted.

"Found you."