"Come on Scars, don't be such an old lady!" Sam whined, finishing the last slice of pizza from the box.

"I'm not an old lady, I just-"

"You want to sit around, moping while you wait for your boyfriend to call you?" Chris asked dramatically, pouting his lip.

"I, what? No!"

I haven't heard from Declan in days. Not since I woke up alone in a hotel room, albeit a gorgeous one, at The Atlantic. Declan had one of his goons, a young boy named Ben, drive me home and as soon as I got back I noticed one of the security cameras Declan had installed to keep an eye on me. The notion of constantly being watched was unnerving. Particularly because I know it's impossible for Declan to be the only one watching me. The idea of one of his lap dogs watching me while I shower had my skin crawling.

"Then come out with us! We never see you anymore." Joe said, nudging my arm with his elbow.

"Dudes, stop, leave her alone." Connor, the voice of reason, chimed in. They found out about my dad from Alex who was now hanging out with them on a daily basis. I knew they were trying to get me to go out in hopes that I would momentarily forget the memories of my dad at the hospital.

My dad's funeral is tomorrow. I've been going back and forth mentally all day if I should go or not. It's my dad, I should be there to say goodbye but I know who else is going to be there. Mike had texted me the morning after giving his condolences and saying I could take off as much time as I needed. A nice 'sorry for killing your dad', right? I mean, I don't know if he or the people he works with were the ones who killed my dad. Declan's explanation makes sense but he can't just expect me to not suspect him. Dad was technically working with his enemy so even if it wasn't Declan who killed my dad, maybe another one of his people did?

I sighed, sick of the mental back and forth I've been putting myself through.

"You know what, fine." I replied, exasperated. Slapping my hands on my knees I stood up from Joe's futon. "Fuck it, I'll come out with you guys tonight."

This is the first time I've left my apartment in three days. Might as well go out with a bang. They started to cheer, Chris demanding that a victory shot was in order. Sam was already pouring whatever cheap liquor Joe had into his Game of Thrones shot glasses.

Connor drew the short stick and was made to be the designated driver for the evening. We had all piled into Joes' civic and made our way to one of the local clubs. It was a shit hole compared to the club Declan had taken me to. The inside of the club was dimly lit with blue and green lights that cut through the thick cloud of cigarette smoke. The bass in the sound system was so heavy I could feel it radiating in my chest as we cut through the dance floor toward the booths at the back. Sam had made a b-line to the bar to put a drink order in for all of us.

Minutes later, he was dance-walking his way over to us with a tray filled with bottles of beer and shots of vodka. I pulled out my wallet to hand him some cash but he shoved my hand away.

"Not tonight, girly! Your drinks are on us!" He yelled over Daisy by Ashnikko.

Just as the chorus started, I grabbed a shot glass and drank as Ash sang the words "I'm crazy but you like that I bite back."

"Yea!" Sam yelled, smacking his open palm against the table making the vodka in the other glasses slosh out onto the table.

Sam and Chris had made their way to the makeshift dance floor where they had made the acquaintance of two blondes who were giggling at their normally terrible jokes. Joe, Connor and I stayed back at the table. As our conversation progressed it felt like old times, before Declan ruined my life.

Oh god, forget about him! I chided myself. I grabbed another shot and threw it back, chasing it with my beer. I told myself the more I drank the faster I would forget.

"You on a mission tonight, Scars?" Joe laughed.

"No, I just..." I trailed off. "We got into a stupid fight and then everything with my dad... I just wish he'd talk to me." I confessed, resting my head in my hands with my elbows on the table. Great, I've already consumed enough alcohol to render my brain to mouth filter useless.

"Fuck him, if he can't see what an awesome girl you are then he doesn't deserve you." Joe answered, finally putting his phone down.

"Maybe he's just busy with work or something?" Connor added, playing devil's advocate.

Ha! Busy with work. If only he knew...

"He could at least send me a text." I pouted, slumping down in the booth.

"I'm sorry baby girl, I would text but you never gave me your number." Jay said, sliding into the booth next to me.

My whole body stiffened. I glared up at Joe, he must have been texting Jay letting him know where we were. Joe mouthed a sorry and put his hands up.

"What are you doing here?" I snapped, trying to position myself in a different angle so he couldn't see down my low cut tank top.

Jay tutted at me. "You really need to learn how to speak to me."

I scoffed, scrunching my face in disgust.

"Loey wanted to go out tonight. I had other plans but I figured this would shut her up for a while." He said before grabbing one of the beers on the table.

"Loey's here?" I looked past him and out into the crowd, searching for her.

"Yea, somewhere." He waved his hand out towards the crowd dismissively. "She better hurry the fuck up with my drink."

I slid out of the other end of the booth and walked in the direction he waved his hand so I could find her. A perfect excuse not to have to stay with him.

I found her standing at the bar in a short red halter dress and four inch heals. I already knew Jay was responsible for her choice of clothes. Her curly, chocolate locks were pulled back out of her face while the rest cascaded down her back. The bartender handed her two drinks and by the time she turned I was right at her side.

"Hey Lo!" I yelled over the music causing her to flinch, almost spilling the drinks.

"Hey Scarlett. Uh, I have to go take this to Jay." She said, not making eye contact and lifting her hand with Jay's drink in it. Her voice was barely loud enough for me to hear over the music.

"I'll do it, I know where they're at. You stay here, okay? We'll go dance when I get back!" I grabbed the drink from her before she could protest and made my way through the crowd. When I got to the table, Jay looked up from his conversation and smiled.

"Is this your apology for being so mean to me earlier?" He asked, cocking his eyebrow at me. He raked his eyes over me, licking his cracked and dry lips.

I sneered at him, spitting in his drink. For good measure, I slammed it onto the table making the liquor that filled the glass splash up on him. I was gone before he could even come up with an insult as he wiped his face.

I made my way back to Loey. When I found her, she was standing stiff and awkward at the end of the bar with her arm across her body, clutching her elbow. There was a group of quintessential biker guys who were around the billiards tables eyeing her up.

"Hey lady!" I yelled, giving her a tight hug. Her body relaxed into mine for a split second before going back into her rigid self. She was never like this. When she first started coming around before her and Jay were official, she was so outgoing and the most relaxed person I had ever met. Now she barely made eye contact with anyone except for Jay and she was constantly in a state of fight or flight and flinching when anyone moved towards her.

"Let me grab a drink. Fuck those guys, it's girls night!" I laughed, locking my arm around hers so we could walk to the bar together.

Despite the fact that I hate dancing, I was having a lot of fun. Loey was on her third drink and her shoulders had finally dropped from being held up at her ears from anxiety. The memories from the hospital finally subsided, leaving my mind quiet.

For a dive bar, the DJ was playing great music. Loey and I danced until we were winded and then made our way to one of the high tables at the opposite end of the dance floor from where the guys were. It was my mission tonight to keep her away from her abuser.

"Oh my god," she panted, sliding onto one of the stools. "I haven't dance like that in ages!"

"Me too!" I laughed, downing my beer as if it would hydrate me.

Loey raised her hand to get one of the waitresses attention. "Where have you been? I feel like I never see you around anymore."

The waitress came over and we both asked for bottles of water.

"I've been... out?" With how tipsy I was I tried my best to filter my words so I wouldn't spill the truth to her.

"Out." She repeated. "You mean been going out with Mr. tall, dark and mysterious?"

I nearly spit my drink out. "Oh my god," I laughed.

"Well he is!" She giggled. "Where did you find him?" She fawned.

"Do you want him? He's all yours." I replied, drawing out the A with a wink.

Her face dropped. "I... no."

Shit. I didn't want to make her feel bad. I could see her posture slowly start to drop while she rubbed her thumb up and down the moisture that had formed on the outside of her glass.

"We've been going out on dates, 'ya know? But we're kind of taking a break. I guess?"

Her hand moved to her mouth, her finger tracing her bottom lip as she bit it nervously. "I'm sorry."

I waved my hand. "Don't be. I've got a lot going on right now, I need the space."

Yea, keep telling yourself that I thought bitterly. I wasn't ready to talk to him yet but goddamn it, why did it hurt so bad that he wasn't even trying to contact me? I'd picked up my phone so many times to call him but could never make myself hit that green button. What would I even say if he did call me? Sorry for accusing you of killing my dad? I mean, even if he personally didn't plan the death of my father, the people he works for could have ordered the hit.

"I'm sorry about your dad." Loey said, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze.

I gave her a tight lipped smile back. It still felt like a knife in my chest knowing I am completely alone in this world. Yea, I have my friends but I have no family and the family that I thought I had are all monsters who would have no problem killing me or worse.

"Thanks, Lo."

The waitress came back with our bottles of water and I quickly handed her money before Loey could. She sipped her water while she took her phone from her bag. She choked on her drink as soon as she unlocked her screen.

"You okay?" I asked.

She started to type away at the screen, her glossed lip going between her teeth as she chewed nervously. I could see her chin starting to tremble as if she was about to burst out in to tears. The moment she was done typing she turned her phone and pushed the screen in my face.

Jay had sent her a picture of some girl who was straddling his lap while she sucked on his neck. The image was repulsive, not just because I hate that prick but because he sent that to Loey followed by a text saying "your loss."

"Loey, dump his ass!" I yelled over Miss You by Oliver Tree.

Loey blinked rapidly, trying to stop herself from crying. "I-"

"No, babe. He's an abusive, disgusting animal. No, he's not even an animal because animals are cute! You are an absolute bombshell with a killer personality. You deserve so much better!"

Before She could respond the waitress appeared again, this time with two shot glasses. Before I could ask who they were from she pointed across the bar. My eyes followed the invisible line until they landed on him. Even with his hood up so the shadows covered his face, I knew it was him. He sat on one of the stools with his back to the bar. The sleeves of his black hoodie were pushed up to his elbows which were resting behind him on the edge of the bar, his black and grey tattoos on full display

My eyes went wide. Loey noticed my change and followed my line of sight.

"Speak of the devil." She said, nudging my arm.

I felt my phone vibrate in the back pocket of my jeans. Pulling it out, I saw that I had a number of unread texts from the last two hours.

Declan: It's not smart to go out with them.
Declan: This club isn't safe. Go home.
Declan: I'm coming to get you.
Declan: Jay is on his way. You need to leave, wait for me in front of the building.
Declan: Do I have your attention now, little one?

I gulped, my cheeks turning red like a teenager who's parents found out they snuck out to a party behind their backs. Another text came thru.

Declan: Come here, we're leaving.

No. He wasn't going to control me. I'm a grown adult, a drunk one, but still.

"Fuck these guys, let's dance!" This was apparently my mantra tonight. Standing on slightly swaying legs, I grabbed Loey's arm and started to drag her towards the dance floor.

"Hey wait, our free drinks!" She giggled, grabbing for the shot glasses that were left on the table. Walking into the dancing crowd, I glanced back at where Declan was at the bar but instead there was a group of girls waiting for the bartender to give them his attention.

Not long after escaping Declan's stare, we had bumped into Chris and Sam who were still dancing with the girls from earlier. Joe had joined us, leaving the sober Connor to sit awkwardly while Jay and the slut practically had sex in the booth.

The alcohol streaming through Loey seemed to giver her a sense of self worth. She had attracted her own tall glass of water. He was a stereotypical looking gym rat, wearing a shirt that was far too small, tight jeans and had his hair slicked back with tons of product. A huge step up from Jay's tall, lanky and unkempt self. They were both dancing, if that's what you wanted to call it. She was grinding against him like her life depended on it.

But you know, I thought drunkenly, after the stuff she's been through she deserves this, to having fun!

My arms rose into the air as I danced, twirling around to the slowed version of End Of The World by forgottenage. Hands gripped my hips that were exposed from my low rise jeans making me jump. My nostrils filled with the scent of his heady aftershave and cigarettes. I didn't need to look behind me, I knew it was him.

I was really drunk now and the feeling of his hands on me and his scent had heat sparking at my core before it washed over me like heavy a wave. I hated that he could do this to me. Closing the already small space between us, I arched my back against his chest and moved my arms so that my hands were behind me, tangling into the shaggy hair at the back of his neck.

Declan's face dropped into the crook of my neck, his grip tightening on my hips as he pulled them back into him. As soon as my ass was pressed against him I started to sway, rubbing myself against him.

I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my lips when his teeth grazed the sensitive skin of my neck before he bit down making me tense under him, gripping his hair. His tongue darted out and licked circles over the tender spot he created. My arousal was already starting to pool between my legs, imagining his tongue to do just that somewhere else.

Again the song playing through the speakers changed, this time to Ecstasy by Suicidal Idol. I loved this song and god, how appropriate.

I spun around, keeping my hands placed at the back of his neck. I looked up at him through my lashes, smiling with my lip between my teeth.

As soon as the lyrics started I couldn't help but sing along.

"I just wanna be your sweetheart, fucking come here, give me your heart!"

Declan moved so his lips were against my ear. The feeling of his hot breath fanning across my neck drove me insane. "You're drunk. Let me take you home."

Pulling back, I shook my head no and continued singing, swaying my hips. "Kiss me on the lips, choke me on the floor, drag me around, push me right against the door."

Declans' eyes slowly rolled back, his lids fluttering shut. Despite the loud music I could hear the growl at the back of his throat from the suggestive lyrics and the images they were creating in his mind. I moved closer so I could push my hips into his again. He moved his leg in between mine, putting the slightest pressure against my needy center. I rose up to my tip toes and bit his earlobe.

"I'm your little doll come and play with me," this time I wasn't singing. I was begging, wanting more friction between my legs as I slowly rolled my hips against his thigh.

Grabbing my face he crashed his lips against mine, taking my breath away. I gripped the hair at the nape of his neck while he deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue between my lips. I could taste the cigarettes and mint on his tongue.

His tattooed hands moved from my jaw to my hips, squeezing before they traveled to cup my ass and pulled me up his leg so I could feel his erection against my stomach as it twitched under his jeans. I moaned into the kiss, letting out a shaky breath through my nose.

But as fast as this all happened, he pulled away, putting some distance between us. It felt like a bucket of cold water was poured over me and I was left standing in front of him feeling exposed on the dance floor. It felt like all eyes were on me and my rejection.

"Your drunk, Scarlett. I'm taking you home." He demanded, running a hand through his hair trying to compose himself.

"Why, so you can ghost me for another three days?" My words were slurring.

Declan grabbed my elbow and started to lead me out from the crowd.

"No!" I yelled, hitting his chest. Not wanting to make a scene he let go of me. "You don't own me! You can't just tell me what to do. Go away, you're being a buzzkill!"

I pushed past him, making sure that my shoulder knocked into him. It didn't have the desired effect, though. Instead of him being knocked back, he stayed motionless while I staggered backwards.

"Scars, please. I'm trying-"

I waved my hand up in the air dismissively as I continued to make my way to the hall where the bathrooms were. "Buh-bye!"

Drunk me was a mess. I was so upset he hadn't followed me into the bathroom, locking the door behind him so we could finally fuck it out but at the same time I hoped he got the message and left the bar.

Coming out of the bathroom into the very dark hallway, I was pushed up against the wall. My face was pressed against the dirty wall covered in stickers. Through the locks of my hair that were now curtaining my face I saw a hand spread out on the wall alongside me, a tall body caging me, keeping me still. I could feel something hard being pressed against my ass.

"Look what you spitting in my drink did to me." Jay's breath fanned over my cheek before he ran his tongue up my cheek. I felt bile rise in the back of my throat, I thrashed against him, trying to get away. The hand by my face moved to cup my mouth as he pressed himself against me harder.

"Is that what you like, baby? Do you want me to spit in your mouth?"

I fisted my hand and tried to punch him in his groin but I was too slow. He grabbed my arms and spun me around, slamming my back into the wall. My head hit against the hard surface making the world go black for a moment. When my vision finally cleared, the room was spinning. I sunk into Jay's hold, drunk and dizzy, no longer able to fight.

Jay ran his hands up and down my arms and then my face making me whimper, willing the room to stop moving. "Shh, baby. I have something to make it all better."

Dazed, I looked up at him. "You do?"

I closed my eyes, anything to stop the movement. The longer my eyes stayed closed the more tired I became. Jay's hands left my face, traveling down my neck to my chest. He found my nipples through the thin fabric of my shirt and pinched making me hiss in pain.

I was too disoriented to fight his touch. He pressed his hard self against my hip making me whimper again. Where was everyone? Why was no one seeing this? He pinched again and I moaned from the pain, trying to yell for someone but my words came out slurred and mumbled.

"Here, take this." His hands finally left my chest. Taking my hand he opened my clenched fingers and placed something in my open palm.

Opening my eyes, the room had finally stopped spinning. I looked down at my hand and took one of the three tiny pills that was placed there between my thumb and index finger.

"It's Advil. It'll help with the pain."

I examined the pill the best I could in what little light was shining down the hall from the main area. This wasn't Advil. This was Z.

"N-no." I stammered. Panic was rising in my stomach.

Jay's smile dropped.

"D-dec... Declan!" I yelled, turning to move down the hall with my weight against the wall.

"He left." Jay moved in front of me, taking the pills that were still in my hand.

Before he could try anything I screamed his name. "DECLAN!"

Jay's hand clamped down on my mouth, shoving the pills inside. He kept his hand over my lips and his other hand moved to the back of my head to keep me still. Panic set in, I couldn't swallow them and I had to get them out before they started to dissolve on my tongue.

I screamed against his hand, tears spilling over and running down my cheeks. I've seen what this does to people, I can't let this take hold of me. Baring my teeth, I bit the inside of his palm.

He hurled expletives at me but refused to let go. His fingers dug into my cheeks until they managed to get between my teeth to pry my jaw open. A deranged, monstrous smile was looking back at me as I started to gag from the foul taste of the pills that were dissolving on my tongue.

His hand let go of my face abruptly and I dropped to the floor, spitting out what was left of them onto the ground. Looking up, I searched for Jay through my tears, not wanting to let him out of my sight. In the back of the dead end hallway, I saw a shadowed figure over Jay, punching him repeatedly.

Jay gasped out and cried the more he was assaulted. He was curled up in a ball with his hands clutching his face to try and protect himself. The assailant stood, straightening his back before he slammed his boot clad foot onto Jay's ankle. The loud, unmistakable snap of a bone echoed through the hall. Jay screamed out, clutching his now broken ankle.

A rush of warmth cascaded over me, my skin started to flush as I sat with my back against the wall. My arms went limp at my sides while my legs that were curled up to my chest started to drop. My head lulled back against the wall while I stared out at the flashing lights around the dance floor.

"Scars!" The dark figure stood in front of me but I could care less. I licked my dry lips and continued to watch the dancing lights. Tiny little flutters started to move between the dancing beams of lights and the more I strained my eyes to focus I noticed they were butterflies. A smile crept on my face, they were so beautiful.

"Scarlett!" The figure knelt down in front of me and ripped his hood from his head.

"Declan?" I asked in a breathy voice.

"What happened, what did he do to you?" When he grabbed my face I was expecting the pain Jay had cause earlier to intensify but it didn't. In fact, I didn't feel it at all. I didn't feel any pain, I felt like I was floating.

"The lights are so pretty," I slurred with a stupid smile.

"Fuck," he muttered. "Did he give you anything? Did he force something on you?"

I hummed, smiling. "A teeny tiny little pill." I said in a sing song voice. "A few teeny tiny pills... they tasted bad."

Declan's hazel eyes fixed on mine while he used his thumb and index finger to open my left eyelid wide, then doing the same to the other one.

My mouth became impossibly dry. I opened and closed my mouth repeatedly making a clicking sound with my dry tongue. "I'm thirsty."

"Come on, we have to leave." He said in a panicked tone. He tugged his hood over his head and then scooped me up into his arms.

The abrupt feeling of being picked up had my head spinning like a top. Declan pushed his way through the crowd of people who had no idea what just happened. To try and curb the dizziness that was starting to make me nauseous, I rested my head against his chest. Looking out into the crowd, the faces of the people started to blur. Squinting to try to see better, their facial features started to morph, melting into inhuman faces.

Red glowing eyes started to appear on their faces as they turned to watch Declan rushing me out. The skin of their lips melted away, revealing demonic smiles with long sharp fangs that were black and glossy. The butterflies that were flittering around the dancing crowd stopped, their vibrant wings melted down to the ground, turning into large shadowy creatures that looked like they were made of smoke and loomed over the patrons. Three pairs of similar glowing eyes appeared on each figure and were searching the crowd.

I whimpered. What the hell were they looking for?

"Declan?"

As soon as I spoke the larger creatures' heads snapped in my direction. What were once the patrons of the bar all pointed their claws in my direction. The tall shadows dove into the crowd and started to float around the people making their way towards us.

"Declan hurry, they're after us!" I yelled, clutching his hoodie.

"Who's after us?" Even though I was in his arms, Declan's voice sounded muffled and far away.

Frightening screams filled the room making me panic. The shadows, are they hurting people? Oh god, they have to be, there could be no other reason for those horrifying screams. Wait, Loey is still here. What if she's being hurt?

I looked up at Declan to tell him to stop, that we have to go back for Loey but I couldn't speak.

It wasn't Declan. It was one of the shadows except it had hallowed out black pits for eyes that was oozing a red tar. Centipedes and spiders crawled all over its face, coming from its mouth and its eyes. I tried my best to kick, to thrash against this creature but my arms and legs felt like they were made of lead. I could do nothing but scream for help.

I dropped to the floor, landing on my hand in such an unnatural way I could swear I heard bones breaking but I couldn't feel anything. Despite how heavy my body felt I pushed myself to roll over onto my stomach, to crawl away. I had to, I couldn't let these things kill me.

My breaths were short and ragged as I crawled on my belly towards a distant light. That had to be the door. My heart was hammering inside my chest at such an uncomfortable rate I thought it was going to explode. I could hear my pulse rushing in my ears even over the deafening screams.

Why so many screams?

A hand grabbed my ankle and pulled be backwards.

"No!" I tried to scream but I couldn't manage to take a full breath. I was gasping for air now and it felt like my eardrums were going to rupture from the loud whooshing sound of my pulse.

One of the creatures was clutching my leg, holding me in place while it moved up to my face. It's massive claws slowly started to reach for me. Oh god, no. I had to do something. I summoned everything I had left in me and started to claw at it's face the best I could. My arms felt so heavy and my fingertips felt like they were on fire but I kept pushing myself to fight.

It didn't last long though. Two hands grabbed my wrists and pulled my arms back down beside me. Thick tears were burning their way down my cheeks as I choked out sobs, unable to catch my breath.

Something cold and hard was shoved up one of my nostrils followed by a burning spray that seemed to shoot directly into my brain. I choked on the burning feeling as some of the liquid traveled down the back of my throat. That was enough for my stomach, though. I felt the contents of my stomach rise up into the back of my throat before it escaped, spewing onto the floor.

Hands grabbed the sides of my head and turned me so I could empty onto the floor without choking. I could barely breathe before, now it was worse with the constant retching.

When I couldn't get anything else up I heard muffled voices yelling to get me on my back. I was so out of breath from breathing so slowly and only taking shallow breaths. I managed to open my eyes and saw Declan, panicked and hovering over me.

His lips were moving but I couldn't make out what he was saying. My eyes moved down to his arms and at all of the bleeding cuts.

"Stay with me, Scars." He begged.

"C-can't b-breathe," I choked out.

He moved his phone up into his hood and started barking orders into it. I was gasping for air as the terrifying visions from before started to melt away, the world becoming normal again. Despite all of the screaming I heard before, no one was even watching what was going on, it's like it never happened.

A shooting pain exploded inside my chest. I grabbed my chest in hopes I could reach inside and stop the pain. My mouth gaped open as I was trying desperately to fill my lungs but was failing. The corners of my vision started to go fuzzy before turning black leaving me in darkness.

"Goddamn it!" Declan yelled, picking me up again. "Come on Scars, stay with me!"

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Thoughts?

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