NATALIE RAN LIKE HER LIFE depended on it. Which in reality it did.

She could hear the men shouting at each other to find her. Her lungs burned the more she weaved through the cars, trying to remain hidden. The air nipped at her cold, wet cheeks and her eyes stinged with more unshead tears. Her head throbbed and she wouldn't be surprised if people told her she came from an horror movie.

Natalie felt like coming from an horror movie. A red substance seemed to have been sprawled in her face and a large gash which throbbed with each movement she made. Natalie shouldn't be surprised with her luck that the criminal rate of the city would make an appearance in her life. She was just scared.

She could make their silhouettes as she stood behind a parked car. All establishments were closed at that time, her phone was inside her purse which she dropped the moment she was punched in the face and fell to the floor. She had no way of calling for help. She was terrified.

Had it not been for the light that came off from a door a few steps away, Natalie would have been dead. Quietly and with her heart feeling like about to explode, she made her way inside the antique shop that oddly was still open. She closed the door as soon as she entered and flipped close all the curtains. There. She was safe. For now.

"Hey!"

Natalie whirled around in fright, seeing a pettite young woman with her middle length hair curled at her sides and gypsy clothes staring right at her from the counter. A landline phone was at her side.

"Please help me" Natalie immediately sobbed at the woman, shooting anxious and scared glances at the door behind them.

The shop was dark and Natalie rubbed her arms as if she could feel a shiver pass down her back, getting an odd feeling from the shop.

The woman, at Natalie's tone straightened up. She wasn't really surprised at the frightened whisper. She had witnessed countless of girls being assaulted over the years she worked there but to keep herself safe, she had never involved herself.

Until now.

It was as if the atmosphere changed the moment the girl across the room locked eyes with her. Bloodshot eyes with unshed tears pleading for help. It made her want to help.

"Come here" The woman gestured at the girl to come inside, which immediately the girl did, her body visibly swaying in relief. "Under the counter. I'm going to call 911"

Natalie sat on the floor, hiding under the counter from whoever was out there to kill her, hugging her knees to her chest, resting her chin atop her knees, rocking back and forth, trying and failing to relax.

"Thank you" Natalie murmured, staring at the floor.

The woman paused mid motion, her hand hovering above the number 9 in her phone, glancing down at the scared girl, "Don't mention it" she quickly dialed 911, quietly informing the dispatcher of the situation, all the while keeping an eye on the girl. As soon as she was told the police was on their way, she hung up, turning to her, falling slowly to her knees. "Mara. My name. What's yours?"

"Natalie" The girl answered, gratitude swirling on her eyes as she rested her cheek on her knees.

Mara paused and she could sworn she saw the girl's eyes flash an odd color but as fast as it came disappeared. She eyed her momentarily, sensing something.

What if...?

Mara slowly turned her head to the shelf behind them. A crystal locket hanging around a neck maniqui. The crystal looked the most vivid she'd ever seen it before. She had to give it a try. Her shop was practically in ruins, she needed it gone.

She turned to the poor girl, sighing softly. The girl with bad luck tonight. She had to try. For both their sakes.