I didn't have the will to answer. Seeing Booker's hideous grin, feeling Arron's dark gaze placed some sort of shackle upon me. Like I couldn't wield that fury anger building inside me.

Instead, only wariness took over my senses causing the hair upon my skin to stand up like a cat's. I swallow thickly as I clench my hands into fists. They don't scare me. They shouldn't. Raising my chin I level my glare upon Booker.

"Where's Darius and Seth?" I demand lowly.

"Taking a break," Arron answers. He pushes himself off the wall to stand beside Booker. "Captain Levi assigned us to guard you."

I eye them both, keeping myself alerted. I wonder if he knew how much of a lie that was. I knew Darius and Seth always left their posts at exactly six o'clock each day.

Levi was the one who took over making sure he was glued to my hip the rest of the night. He would never assign Booker and Arron to me. Which only meant one thing, this was a setup. It had to be, why else were they here peering at me like I'm some sort of prey?

"Well? Aren't you going for a walk?" Booker's question brought me back to reality. I blink at once at the duo as I mentally chant to not lose my cool.

With a stiff nod I stride pass them. "Just stay at your post, idiots."

"No can do, Emma," Arron purrs as they skip alongside me. "Levi specifically told us to protect you no matter what."

Both flanked my left and right. If I tried to make a run for it either one could get a hold of my arm. That would leave me helpless and flinging about like a fish on a hook.

Calm down, I assure myself. They're just going to follow me to my apartment and back. And even if this was a setup, what can they do from here to my apartment?

Nothing. That little train of thought had brought back my confidence. I began to ignore their presence and effortless jabs to irk me.

I instead focus on what I wanted, Levi's cloak. Soon we were out of HQ and walking through the streets of Trost. Nothing stirred in the night.

The flickering streetlights barely guided my way to my apartment building. It felt odd walking through Trost and not hearing a peep from anyone. By now there would be bars open, clubs filled with drunks.

Even the streets would present a couple drunkards here and there. But there was nothing. Like this place became some sort of ghost town.

A lone shiver crawls down my back. It was like with every step I took I was being watched. The feeling itself had me glance over my shoulder from time-to-time.

Booker and Arron weren't bodyguard material. They chitchat so goddamn loudly, they wouldn't realize if a mugger came after us.

I roll my eyes with a scoff, "You guys are a bunch of losers."

Their chattering stops, both their gazes plant upon me. I look away from both and focus my own stare before me. We're almost there.

"Oh? What makes you think that?" Arron inquires.

"If you're my so-called bodyguards don't you think you should act like it?" I give him a side-glare throwing all my anger into it. He seemed surprised and presses his lips together. I look away.

"Instead you're over here talking so loudly like you want someone to hear us. Act like you deserve your ranks, please."

"Hey, don't give us that high-and-mighty shit," Booker sneers. "We're doing our damn job. Be grateful."

I don't bother answering, a stupid argument wasn't something I wanted right now. I brush off his words like they were dust and picked up the pace. They're loud conversations as we walked don't sit right with me.

I wasn't sure why, they were a bunch of idiots anyway. This was something they would do on a daily basis. So why bother me now?

I now stand before my apartment building. It was only two stories but seeing it now looked terrifyingly tall. Its presence foreboding and dark.

I wasn't sure when this building started to look—scary. I quickly shake my head, it was just my imagination. Nothing more.

It was the stupid information about me being a target getting to my head. Heaving a heavy sigh I march towards it.

"Stay here, you two," I order tersely. "I'll be out in a minute."

I don't give them a chance to rebuke as I trot into the building. Arron and Booker's strange presence stopped bothering me. I stopped caring about the fact I was out when I wasn't supposed to.

All I cared about was getting that cloak. Nothing else mattered except for that. I reached my door, my heart almost lurching out of my chest.

I could almost sense that comfort Levi's cloak possessed. A relieved smile breaks across my lips, it's all I wanted. I grasp the knob as I grab the key from my pocket. But I didn't need it.

The door—it was unlocked. I stare at the knob in confusion, "The hell?"

I twist the knob so easily and push the door open. Did I not lock the door? No, I think, I did lock it.

My feet became rooted to the floorboards, I don't dare enter my apartment. I stare into it, everything seemed in order. The couch was untouched, the curtains still pushed back to reveal the nighttime darkness looming outside.

So why was it unlocked? The question alluded me, I couldn't sense a presence besides mine. But that primal instinct told me to run.

Told me to turn away and never come back. The hairs upon my skin stood. The blood in my veins seemed to change course as if saying run.

My very core even seemed terrified of whatever lurked inside. I swallow thickly, wondering if this was a bad idea. I turned my heel to run but was stopped.

I wasn't sure who did it but I was roughly shoved. The force sends me into the apartment and I stumble till I regain balance. I quickly whirl around and rush towards the exit.

I see two figures whom seem to be two tall males. It was too dark for me to see their faces but I had the feeling they were grinning. The door slams shut in my face and I collide with the wooden surface.

"W-wait!" I pound my fist against it relentlessly but no one came. Not a soul. It was like I was being intentionally ignored.

I stop the pounding and stare at the door. My chest begins to rise and fall rapidly. The sense of panic started to drill through me once more.

I back up a few steps before whirling around. I hastily look for another exit and spotted the window across from me. I rush past the couch but something catches my eye.

Stepping back I look down at the armrest. And there laid Levi's cloak. Neatly folded to show the Wings of Freedom emblem.

The moon shown light upon it drawing me closer to it. I pick it up with a frown forming upon my lips. It wasn't here when I opened the door.

No, it was supposed to be atop my bed. I swallow thickly clutching the cloak as if it were a lifeline. It meant only one thing—I wasn't alone.

Something cool and sharp suddenly pressed against my throat. My body stiffens at the touch, my chin lifted upwards to avoid anymore sharp contact.

"Say another word and I'll slice your throat like it were butter."

I suck in a breath, my eyes wider than needed. I knew that voice, knew it all too well. And I hated that I did. Every fiber in me becomes stiff while my skin turning pale.

"Well, that shut you up real nice, didn't it?" Edward leans over my shoulder and sends me a wicked grin.

All I could do was stare and clutch the cloak with all my might. The beating of my heart thundered in my ears causing my whole body feel as though it was being trampled. My tongue felt heavy while the muscles in my face goes limp.

Edward smirks, understanding how shocked I was. "You should see the look on your face, Em. It's practically jaw-dropping."

I swallow thickly, "I—Edward take the knife off my neck."

"Now why would I do such a thing, hm? Do you know how hard it is for me to not slice you up right now?" His words send a chill down my spine.

I knew I was fucked. This was a trap and I fell for it like an idiot. My fingers trembled feeling as though I encountered a deadly predator of the forest.

Seeing his dark grin and evil glimmering in his eyes had caused my very blood to stop running through my veins. A small gasp escapes me when he presses the knife a little harder.

I try not to let that stop me. To have fear completely control me.

"I knew it," I breathe. "You—you're the killer, aren't you?"

"Aw shucks, what gave it away?" He questions sarcastically.

"Everything," I reply. "You made it all clear to me earlier. You want me dead, right?"

Edward doesn't bother replying and chuckles instead. That wicked grin of his only widening as if this were all a joke.

"Well, at least we're on the same page," he muses. "Now, if I were you I would cooperate if you don't want your blood staining that stupid cloak you're holding."

Such disgust layered his tone. It made me wonder if he would rather slice up Levi's cloak than mine.

"Come with me and I'll deal with you soon enough."

I felt myself walking towards the door even though I didn't answer. My heart still torn by what I witnessed. Everyone knew Edward was the one and even I did too.

But I chose to be naïve and prove he was still same Edward Cam everyone knew. Now I knew that would be impossible. I was shamed by my own belief to see him as nothing but a kind man. How hopeless it was for me to believe that.

"No. I won't go with you." I roughly push away the knife, catching Edward off guard before ducking down. I swivel around and back away from him.

Quickly I got up into a fighting stance. He didn't seemed surprised by my escape. If anything he simply looked annoyed. Cocking his head he releases a tired sigh.

"I don't got time for this right now, Em. Don't make me hurt you."

"Weren't you planning on that from the get-go anyway?" I retort. "How did you get into my apartment?"

"Oh, it was simply really," he shrugs. "I got Arron to pick it earlier."

I hated how proud he sounded. I hated how my theory was correct. Booker and Arron—they were his accomplices.

That only meant they were the ones who pushed me into the apartment. To let Edward catch me. My heart sank, dread started to fill my core.

"I'm taking you into custody," I declare. "You can't—do this anymore."

Edward raises a brow, "You're telling me what to do now?" He shakes his head, "Figures, always have to be the one to give orders, huh? Makes you feel—powerful." I watch him get into a stance, angling the knife towards me. "You give me no choice—maybe slicing you up here and there would do you some good."

I couldn't process his sudden movements. He moved with such speed that I had no choice but to duck while flinging the cloak above me like a shield. The sound of cloth ripping filled my ears and I could've sworn it was like having my heart rip in two.

I tumble across the room and quickly stand. Edward breathes heavily with a triumphant smile plastered over his lips. I glance at the floor beneath him.

There laid Levi's cloak. Cut in two with an ugly rip between the Wings of Freedom emblem. My bottom lip starts to tremble, suddenly the will to breathe became difficult.

"Oh, what a shame," Edward sighs. "But you don't need that wretched thing. Get a grip, will you?"

Something broke inside me. Like a dam everything spilled out so fast it filled my veins with such adrenaline. I clench my fists and snarl like a feral beast.

My heartbeat thudded in my ears and everything in my vision had turned red. I slowly rove my glare to Edward. He was still smiling.

"Bastard," I snarl. "How dare you—!" I couldn't finish my sentence. My rage took over, driving me towards him with such hatred.

I swung a fist and collide it with his face. With a painful grunt he stumbles to a wall. His back makes a loud thud as he grits his teeth in anger.

He blindingly swings his knife and I jump back. I swerve to the right and roundhouse kick him in the gut. I stopped caring about everything.

He ripped the one thing that comforted me. The one thing that saved me from insanity. Now it was two ripped pieces of cloth.

I kept throwing punches and kicks, too blinded by rage to even care if I killed him. Edward had somehow managed to get away from the wall and was now in a defensive stance. He kept swinging the knife before him like a madman.

I didn't care and allowed that thing to cut my face, my arms, my body. All I wanted was to pummel this man into the ends of the earth. I landed a few good hits.

His face was coated with blood, his lip bearing a cut from my left hook. A black bruise began to bloom over his right cheek. I was sure I bruised his side but who could tell?

I was about to land the final blow, aiming my right leg for a front kick to his stomach. But I was contained. My arms were pulled back and someone kicked my knees to the floor.

I screamed and snapped as I squirm around like a captured beast. I try to wriggle myself free but it only led my captors to yank my arms once more. Something snaps in my right shoulder and a muffled scream escapes me.

Burning pain blooms all over my shoulder, I couldn't feel my arm. I hear Edward breathe heavily before sniffling back the blood in his nose. He shook out of his defensive position, or so I think.

My vision started to go blurry. The pain was subsiding over my conscious. It took every last of my willpower to stay awake.

"I didn't want you to dislocate her arm, Booker," Edward groans.

"Hey, I had no choice. She's strong may I need to remind you." Booker stood behind me and I was sure Arron was at his side.

Edward sighs with a shrug before striding towards me. I moan in pain and try to keep my tears at bay. I thought my shoulder was on fire. With a hazy gaze and sweat dripping down my temple, I watch Edward crouch in front of me.

"Guess I should've broken a bone or two from the start."

I force out a scoff, letting him think how unbothered I was. "I could still beat the shit out of you."

"Oh, I'm sure you can," he replies in a condescending way. "No matter, I got you now, Em."

He places his index finger and middle finger under my chin. A devilish smile crosses his face. "Let the fun begin."

With those words I had closed my eyes. Endless darkness alluded me. I wasn't sure when I would awake but I knew one thing. Hell was waiting for me.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

AHHH THIS CAME OUT QUICKER THAN I EXPECTED!!

Anyway, the fun has just started and I can't wait to play with y'all's hearts;)

Hope this was good chapter!!

Vote and Comment!!❤️❤️