CHAPTER 2

 

 

A Bloody Welcome

 

The bar was loud, and Lila stood in the center of it like a deer caught in headlights—or maybe more like a blood-soaked ghost from some horror movie. She could feel the eyes on her, wide and fearful, as hushed whispers swept through the crowd like wildfire.

 

“Did you see that? She just materialized out of nowhere!” someone gasped.

 

“What’s with all the blood? Is she a serial killer?” another voice chimed in, dripping with disbelief.

 

Panic rose in Lila's chest as she scanned the room, trying to make sense of her chaotic arrival. She felt like a walking crime scene, drenched in blood, with her heart racing so fast it might leap out of her chest.

 

Before she could even take a step, a massive figure approached her—the bouncer, who looked as if he’d been carved out of granite. “Hey! You need to leave, lady!” he commanded, his voice booming over the noise of the bar.

 

Lila didn’t reply; she barely even registered his words. All she could focus on was the way the bar patrons backed away, their faces a mix of fear and confusion. What was happening? She just wanted to find a way out.

 

As the bouncer took a step closer, her instincts kicked in. Suddenly, the glasses lining the bar shattered in a shower of sparkling glass, the overhead lights flickered violently, and a few bulbs exploded.

 

The crowd gasped collectively, and Lila’s eyes widened in horror. “What just happened?” she thought, feeling an electric charge course through her. It frightened her even more than the bewildered patrons who were now staring at her like she was the antagonist in a horror film.

 

“Whoa! What the hell?” The bouncer faltered, hesitating for a moment as the chaos erupted around them. But as he lunged toward her, grabbing her arm with a grip of iron, something snapped inside Lila.

 

With a burst of energy, she pushed him away, sending him crashing backward into the bar. His surprised expression was priceless, and Lila barely registered the collective gasp that followed.

 

“Did I just—?” she thought, bewildered. There was no time to process. People were screaming, and the atmosphere was charged with tension.

 

Lila bolted for the exit, her heart racing, adrenaline pumping through her veins. She grabbed a knife from the bar as she dashed past, her instincts taking over.

 

Outside, the sound of sirens blared in the distance, echoing through the night air. Lila narrowly dodged a taxi speeding down the road. “Sh*t!” she thought, panic bubbling up again.

 

Without thinking, she yanked open the door of a taxi parked nearby and practically dove into the back seat.

 

“Hey! What’s the rush?” the driver exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in her blood-soaked appearance.

 

“Just drive!” Lila gasped, still catching her breath, her head pounding as the migraine throbbed behind her eyes. He gave her a look, “Drive!” Lila yelled again showing him the knife.

 

“Okay, okay! But you better not be a serial killer!” the driver said, his voice tinged with nervous laughter as he stepped on the gas. “Seriously, you look like you just crawled out of a horror movie!”he added.

 

Lila slumped back against the seat, panting. “Just… drive,” she managed, feeling the adrenaline finally begin to fade.

 

“Right, I gotcha! But where to? I can’t take you to the cops; they might mistake me for your accomplice!” he replied, glancing nervously in the rearview mirror.

 

“Anywhere!” Lila said, closing her eyes, the migraine intensifying. “Just keep going!”

 

“Fine! But if I end up in an episode of *Law & Order,* I’m charging you double!” he cracked a small smile as Lila glanced at him disturbed. “You’re… you’re not scared?”

 

“Of a blood-soaked woman who just appeared out of thin air? Nah! I’ve seen weirder,” he said, shaking his head as if reminiscing. “Last week, I picked up a guy dressed as a chicken! Now, that was a story!”

 

“Yeah, well, I’d prefer not to be a part of anyone’s horror stories tonight,” Lila muttered, rubbing her temples as the city blurred past.

 

“Don’t worry! You’re with Jerry now! We’ll figure this out together!” the driver said, looking back at her with an exaggerated grin. “I’ll be your sidekick. Just, y’know, minus the tights!”

 

As the cab sped into the night, Lila felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. Maybe this chaotic ride would lead her somewhere safer—or at least somewhere less terrifying.

 

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