Chapter 2 Camilla’s Pov.

The gunshot rang in my ears before my mind could fully process what I was seeing.

A man slumped to the ground, blood oozing out of the gunshot wound on his forehead. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes, widened from sheer shock, darted up to the person holding the gun.

The pair of piercing orbs were the first thing that caught my eye, dark and empty without any emotions and they were now looking directly into my eyes. I felt goosebumps all over my body at the sheer intensity of his gaze.

I noticed a flicker of surprise cross his features but it was gone as quickly as it came.

“You shouldn't be here.” His voice, thickly laced with a Spanish accent, was smooth yet edged with danger.

Every instinct in my body was screaming at me to run but I just couldn't figure out how to make my legs move. Judging by the way the others in the room were watching me, I knew I wouldn't be allowed to just leave. Not after what I just saw.

The man with the gun stepped forward, his strides slow and deliberate. He stopped when his face was mere inches from mine and he whispered to me.

“You have two choices.” He said, and despite how serious my situation is, I felt some tingling in my core at the way his deep voice caressed my skin.

“You walk out of here and pretend you saw nothing….. or you don't walk out at all.”

My stomach twisted in knots as fear gripped me. I looked up to meet his gaze once more.

“Y—yo—you j–j–ju–just fucking k–killed someone!” I stammered but was determined to finish my sentence.

How dare he ask me to pretend I saw nothing?

I heard a low chuckle coming from one of the men in the room but the man in front of me didn't smile. Instead, he tilted his head, regarding me like I was an equation he wanted to solve.

“And you're still standing here. Interesting.” He said and then he quickly turned back, walking over the bloodied corpse of the man he just shot, to his chair.

I noticed the subtle sign he gave to one of the men standing beside him and they started walking towards me.

Run!

The command screamed in my head and this time, my legs listened. I spun on my heels and bolted.

“Stop her!”

Those words and the tone with which it was spoken, sent a bolt of terror through me. I heard boots scrape against the floor behind me. I ripped my shoes off and sprinted barefoot against the floor.

Why didn't I just run back to the club to get help! I screamed inwardly at myself.

I turned a sharp corner, nearly slipping as I searched for an escape. My eyes drifted towards the side exit and I lounged for the door. It gave way and I burst into the cool night air.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

My heart was racing as I ran. This wasn't how I wanted my 21st birthday to end like.

I turned towards an alley and dug my feet into the sharp rocks of the gravel. The edges of the stones sliced into my feet but my fear and terror numbed the pain I should've felt as I continued sprinting.

I heard the footsteps running closely behind me. My heart slammed through my chest.

This was all Lola's fault! If she hadn't made Nick hook me up with that disgusting drink, I wouldn't have made the bad choice of hooking up with a total stranger!

I snuck a glance behind me and saw three shadowed men running after me. Fast.

I rounded a corner and swore under my breath as I came to a dead end. Two massive stone walls and a chain fence blocked me in. I looked around frantically for a place to hide but there was none.

A quick burst of adrenaline pumped through me and I ran towards the fence and fug my feet into the wires. I held back a cry as I felt the sting of the wires on my foot. I bit my tongue and raised myself over the fence, my hands ached as I climbed.

I glanced behind me and saw them rounding the corner. They were four now. Where did one come from?

“Atrápala!” I heard him shout.

Spanish. I knew he was Spanish. Holy fucking shit!

I swallowed down my fear as I jumped off the top of the fence. I hit the ground hard and a stinging pain flooded through me as tears fell down my face. My legs arched and I could deal blood trickling down my knees.

I swallowed down my tears as I pushed off the floor. I limped, crying out as an excruciating pain coursed through my body.

I heaved for air as I ran. With each step, I felt like my whole body was breaking. My right leg was stinging painfully as I reached the end of the road.

Miraculously, I turned to see blinding lights.

A car!

Oh my God. Yes!!!

“H–help!” I screamed as I ran towards the car and saw someone stepping out of it.

It was a man. He frowned as he saw me running towards him.

“Please!” I cried hysterically. “Y–you have t-to help me. Those men–” I pointed behind me but they weren't in view yet.

I was too exhausted to continue explaining so I just broke down into fresh sobs.

The man held onto my shoulders. “Sweetie, are you okay? What's going on? Who are you talking about?”

Fresh tears flooded down my face as I saw the men emerge from the darkness. I quickly ran behind the stranger. “Don't let them take me.” I whimpered.

He nodded as he looked at the men approaching.

“Hey hey, guys. I'm sure there's a way to sort this out amicab— Shit!”

I snapped my head up to see why the man just shouted and I came face to face with a gun pointing directly in front of his face.

Oh no! God please! Don't let them kill him too.

“Why don't you mind your fucking business and get on your merry way, huh? Leave the chica to me.” The man with the gun drawled.

Just as suddenly as he appeared, the stranger frantically scrambled into his car and zoomed off, leaving me alone to fend for myself. I felt totally betrayed.

He began to approach me, sliding his gun into his suit jacket and I froze.

O God, if you let me live, I promise never to go to a club ever again!

I was trembling. My eyes blurred as I took a timid step back.

Dread burned through me as he stood in front of me.

“Shhhh. It's okay, chica.” He cooed to me.

I shook my head as he tried to touch my face and I tried to take another step back. He quickly reached out and grabbed me, his hands gripping my waist as I tried to pull away from him.

I opened my mouth to let out a scream but he expertly covered my mouth with his hand.

I'm going to die. I'm going to die. I'm going to die!

The realization slowly began to dawn on me as I struggled.

He turned me around and my back pressed firmly against his rigid chest. I felt his free arm tuck my hair behind my ear.

“Shhh….it'll be over soon.”

Before my mind could process anything, a white cloth pressed into my nose and mouth. My legs kicked and I flailed my arms but the second I inhaled, I felt myself slowing down.

I took in one last shaky breath, numbness flooded through me and everything went black.