"Die! Die!" I screeched, using the broom to manuoever the flying cockroach to the ground. "Die you foolish insect!" I hit harder, and continued at it, till the shell of the insect cracked under the wooden broom, the creamy liquid came oozing out it's abdomen. It looked utterly disgusting.

I thought my troubles were over, but it seemed the little guy had called for help before he passed away, because two other gigantic cockroaches began flying around the room. I jumped up screeching and ran straight for the bathroom to grab the bug spray.

I opened the shelf, shaking the cans, only to find them empty. I scuttled around searching for any other thing that could be of use help, but I found none.

Sighing, I crashed to the ground.

How did my life come to this?

Being holed up in a run down apartment for a whole month. Not risking my life by stepping a foot outside. Having no good food, water stopped running the day before, moreover I had a fever crippling in. And now, there were flying cockroaches in the room.

Thinking back to what and who caused such a situation, I gritted my teeth. I wished I'd broken some of his body parts too. He deserved it, and more.

Realizing that even in such a predicament, I didn't regret an ounce of my actions, I pondered wether to facepalm myself or give myself a pat on the back. But since I'd be rescued in the next 48 hours, I chose to pat myself instead, as I had also found a way out.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

The thought of being discovered crossed my mind and alarmed I sprang up and grabbed a knife. Tip-toeing to the door, I jumped to the side, in a stance to attack. "Who's there?" I inquired.

"It's me. Open up," the voice of the landlord echoed in.

Relieved, I threw the knife aside. I opened the door slightly, but made sure the gap was big enough to poke my head out. "What brings you here, my fine sir?" I faked an accent, a British one to be exact.

The landlord, a robust man with a protruding stomach, stomped his foot heavily at my question. "Don't give me that crap. It's been a month and you haven't paid your rent yet. I have a family to feed you know."

"Rent?" I raised a brow. "I paid already."

"I doubled the price," he said with a disinterested shrug.

"That was not the arrangement." I stated, sternly.

He brushed me off with a wave. "It doesn't matter. I need money right now."

"It does matter, because I have no money to give you," Although, I didn't plan on giving him any, sadly, I wasn't lying.

"Liar!" He hissed instantly, and took a step closer to me.

With his face only a few centimetres from mine— how disgusting —he smirked,  "You think I don't know who you are? You're loaded." He whispered the last part and tilted his head sideways expecting a reaction.

I gave nothing away, creating a bigger gap between us, by moving my head back. "You seem to have the wrong person sir. Have a good day." And I slammed the door, or planned to, but he caught it with his foot, stopping it from shutting all the way.

"Don't mess with me, little girl." He bared his teeth and grabbed the door, threatening me.

Little girl? I scoffed.

"I know who you are. I know why you're here, and I also know who's after you."

"If you know who I am," I squinted. "Shouldn't you be scared?"

"Scared? You can't do a thing to me. I could hand you over. There are a lot of people looking for you. You staying here is a risk - not just to me, but to my entire family, so consider the cash you'll be giving me money for my silence."

I rolled my eyes, surprised I was still standing listening to his nonsense.

"You're rolling your eyes at me?" he yelled causing some spit to land on my face.

How irritating. "Sorry sir, but I have no money." I curled my lips, politely taunting, even adding a little bow, before crushing his fatty fingers with the door.

He screeched and leapt back, enabling me to close the door properly.

"You bitch! I'll make you pay for this. I swear! You're dead meat." He howled from outside as he retreated.

What a pain. I rolled my eyes again. His loud voice was already causing me a splitting headache.

My stomach grumbled and I took a deep breath, recalling it was noon already, and I hadn't eaten a thing. I dragged my feet back to the kitchen, caressing my aching head, jamming the door literally took whatever strength I had left. 

I shuffled through the kitchen cabinets, searching for edible substances. There were only a box of sugar and a half-filled cornflakes pack. I nipped over to the fridge to check for milk, when I heard a bang and my head received a hit.

I staggered to the ground, but was adamant to fall, my hand clutching the handle of the fridge. I even tried to stand, my eyes twirling here and there, but the assailant was ruthless, and I got another hit, this time, straight to the face.

My hand dropped.

* * * * * * * * * * *

I regained my consciousness after awhile - not sure how long I was out — but the sun was setting and I laid, spread out on the pavement outside my apartment, my luggages next to me.

Sitting up abruptly, I cussed, as a sharp pain ran down my neck, my already hurting head was hurting even more. Bastard. I eyed the landlord, on a call, few steps away from me with his back turned.

"She's here. Rina Parker." The mention of my name caused me to stiffen. He hadn't been bluffing back then. "I'm telling you, she's right here. Rina Parker." He repeated. "A picture?" My pupils widened. "You think I'm lying? Okay, I'll send you a picture."

I flung myself back to the hard ground, maintaining my former position, and with few footsteps later and a shutter sound, my picture was taken. And touching my hair, I could smell his breath. "What a cute face." He exasperated. "Nice body too." His gaze scrutinizing every inch of me. As if that wasn't enough, his overweight body hovered over mine, and his cold hands crept under my shirt settling on my stomach.

I clenched my fists and stiffened under his touch. His cigarette breath drew closer to my ear, and he whispered stifling a chuckle. "Too bad you're probably going to be roasted alive. I told you I'll make you pay, didn't I?" He licked my ear and grazed it with his teeth. I will kill this man, I definitely will.

He chuckled to himself, giving my chest a squeeze as he rose to his feet. "Bye bye Rina." He swung his hand, almost skipping away, happily.

I gritted my teeth, opening my eyes.  Bastard. The next bye bye you'd be hearing would be from me. And it'll be your last.

🌼Edited: ✔️🌼
🌼Vicky🌼