I successfully made it through another night.

    I was able to maintain a small yet sharp dagger from a dead body laying helplessly in the corner of an alley. I felt a sense of guilt—taking the dagger—but I need some way to protect myself.

   As soon as night fell, I searched for a suitable place to stay. I didn't dare ask anyone for shelter... I really cannot trust anyone here; except Sumi. She has definitely earned my trust.

     I assume I'll get used to the conditions here... but it's still so awful.
The entire place smells like ashes, decay, blood, and mold. It's damp, muddy, wet, smokey and dry all at once. The sun hasn't come out once yet. It's like this awful cloud is always hanging over the sky.

     There are hungry children running around everywhere, pleading and begging for food. It's a really heartbreaking sight, honestly. I can feel my stomach churn in disgust as I walk towards the city center.

   The awful sights and the population of people is increase as I walk further. I clutch the dagger in my jacket, refusing to let it go.

"HELP ME!!!" a woman in a skimpy nightgown with tattered lace screams, brushing past me. I jump in alarm, startled by the sudden cry. The people around only glance at her is dismay, and continue walking. Suddenly, a buff and husky man runs towards the woman, screaming inaudible things at her. I hide around the corner, shaking head to toe. My stomach lurches at the sight of the event... I want so desperately to help her.

The man suddenly yanks the woman by the wrist, harshly throwing her to the ground. The woman shrieks in pain, kicking and shouting for help.

I can't watch this!! I think, this same thing was happening to me... how could I just walk away like this?!

I slowly step out from behind the corner, clutching the dagger in my hands. The woman's eyes light up when I approach.

"Stop!" I shout shakily, trying to conceal my fear.

The man whips around, his hard glare staring straight into my soul.

"Excuse you?" he hisses, his voice sounding awfully close to a snake.

"Leave her... alone..." I reply, yanking out my dagger.

A smile spreads across his lips, "Who are you? She's my wife. Get lost."

"Why are you hurting her?!" I cry suddenly, making him flinch, "If she's you're wife you should love her properly and treat her with respect!"

The man steps towards me, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Say it again."

I gulp.
"Say what?" I demand.
"Tell me to leave her alone—."

Before I can respond, and icy voice fills the air, followed by screams of terror.

"What's going here, Bongda?" a calm and cool voice asks... it sends shivers down my spine. The males voice reminds me of cold running water; soothing yet dangerous.

I slowly turn my head around, and find myself only a few meters away from the owner of the voice...

"What're you doing here-e?" Bongda asks fearfully, clearly loosing a boost of confidence as the stranger approaches.

"I was just walking by," the stranger says, his eyes slowly fixing upon my figure.

I feel so small and helpless... his gaze is so deep and... and... whimsical.

I find myself slightly breathless at the sight of him...

He has short raven black hair, that hangs loosely over his forehead, parting down the middle. His eyes are small yet large all at the same time. His milky skin glows like honey, contemplating his brown jacket. A long scar trails from his forehead down his eye, ending at his cheek. He's alluring yet terrifying all at once.

"What are you doing with... her?" he asks, his eyes meeting mine once again.

"Why do you care?" Bongda spits, pushing me behind him.

"I don't, really. I'm just curious. You don't have such a good reputation with woman, after all."

This clearly makes Bongda angry... his muscles tense and his hand clenches into a fist.

The stranger doesn't seem one bit fazed. He just looks at Bongda with a small smirk.

"Maybe you should just leave," Bongda hisses under his breath.

The strangers lips part into a small fake pout, "But... what if I don't want too?"

Bongda suddenly charges at the stranger, reaching for his long knife and aiming for the man's heart.

However, the stranger is quick to react. He glides to the side, carefully pulling out a silver gun from his pocket. After kicking Bongda to the ground, he points the gun right at his head.

"Stab me, and I'll blow you're brains out."

He says this so "matter-of-factly," as though it's perfectly normal to blow someone's brain's out...

"Please!! Have mercy!!" Bongda shrieks.

The man's lips curve into another small smirk, "But why? Weren't you going to kill me? If I didn't have a gun right now, would you still be begging at my feet?"

Bongda guiltily looks up, meeting the man's eyes.

"That's what I thought," the stranger says with a sigh.

BAM!!!!!

The very few amount of people left on the streets scream in horror, running away. Bongda falls to the ground, thick and crimson blood pooling from his head.

I can feel my heartbeat quicken in shock... what just happened?

The stranger turns towards me and the woman, eyeing us before slipping the gun back in his pocket and leaving.

I turn to face the woman beside me... who is quivering with fear...

"Who is that?!" I demand, kneeling beside her.

"It's-it's—A-August D!" she yelps, causing me to raise my eyes back towards the man, who is now out of sight.

What...?