EVE

I arrived at Saints Bar earlier than usual, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows. The familiar scent of stale beer and worn leather enveloped me as I made my way to the arena, our nickname for the stripper hall.

A figure sat in the shadows, face obscured. “Hey Joe, you're here early. Same thoughts, huh?” I said, dropping my bag onto the couch.

Silence.

“Joe?” I stepped closer, my voice laced with concern.

I tapped his shoulder, and his head lolled off, blood pooling on the floor. My scream echoed through the empty hall.

I grabbed my bag and sprinted out, fear propelling me. My phone shook in my trembling hands as I dialed Clara.

“Clara...can you hear me?” I stammered.

“Hey, what's wrong? You sound like you're about to die!” Clara's voice was calm, reassuring.

“I'm about to die. Come pick me up. Dark wolves killed Joe!” I blurted.

Clara's voice dropped to a whisper. “What? Oh my goodness, I'm coming right away. I'm close by.”

“Please hurry!”

“Meet me at Pluemi Workshop in 15.” Clara instructed.

I rushed to the workshop, Clara's car screeching to a halt beside me. We sped away, leaving Saints Town behind.

As we drove, the landscape shifted from urban to rural.

“Clara, where are we headed?” I asked, confusion etched on my face.

Clara smirked. “Isn't it obvious? We're leaving Saints Town for another city...or country.”

"My family's here. Dark wolves will hurt them!" Fear and anger wrestled within me.

Clara's expression hardened. “Eve, your family wants you dead. They sold you to Dark wolves. Are you crazy?”

I took a deep breath, acknowledging the painful truth.

“Look, if you want to stay with sinners and die, feel free. I won't stop you.” Clara said, her gaze piercing.

I squared my shoulders. “You're heartless, Clara. Let's enjoy life in a new place.”

Clara grinned. “That's the spirit! Let's go.”

As we approached Dams, Clara's cousin Didi greeted us at the hotel with food and tickets.

“Wait, what about international passports?” I asked.

Didi chuckled. “Gosh, you ask too many questions. My boyfriend works at the embassy. He took care of it.”

Clara's eyes narrowed. “You didn't tell me that. Who helped Eve?”

I shrugged. “I don't know.”

Clara's anger flared. “You better remember! I'll kill that guy.”

Didi intervened, opening a bottle of alcohol. “Chill, Clara.”

Later, as night descended, Didi emerged from the bathroom, towel wrapped around her body.

“Your phone's been ringing nonstop” I teased.

Didi answered, her expression tense.

“Your boyfriend's coming here?” Clara asked.

“Yeah, with Danjosh.” Didi replied.

Clara's face darkened. "That butt head."

Didi's eyes widened. “You know him?”

Clara's voice dropped to a whisper. “Danjosh leads Dark wolves. Who do you think we've been running from him?. ”

I placed a calming hand on Clara's arm. “Let's not jump to conclusions.”

Clara shot up, car keys in hand. “We're leaving.”

Didi protested, “But Clara, it's late. Besides it might not be him, just chill”

“Easy for you to say, you’re not the one being chased, huh”

“Clara, I might not be affected but indirectly I am. You’re my cousin.”

Clara's glare cut through the air as she spat like a venom. “Fuck that, Didi. You screwed us. You sold us to the devil.”

Didi's face reddened. “I won't take that, Clara. I'm older than you.”

The argument escalated until Didi peered out the window, fear etched on her face.

“What do we do? They're here.”

Clara's response was instant. “RUN!!!