2023-03-27 12:05:13The cold rain pounded against her body, soaking through her clothes and chilling her to the bone as she lay on her back, eyes closed, facing the dark sky.
Her eyelids fluttered before snapping open, a gasp escaping her lips. Her chest heaved, rising and falling rapidly, as if she had just surfaced from a nightmare that clung to her like the damp fabric plastered to her skin. She pushed herself into a sitting position, wincing as her head throbbed. Panic surged through her as she took in the surrounding. Towering trees loomed around her, barely visible through the flashes of lightning. The scent of wet soil filled her nostrils. 'Where am I?' Her panic worsened as she struggled to piece together the fragments of her memory. She had been chased. Flashes of survival burst through her mind, turning her hands into tight fists. She had fallen down a slope, struck her head, and lost consciousness. Reaching back, her fingers brushed against the throbbing pain at the back of her skull—confirmation she’d hit it hard. But her head wasn’t the only source of pain. A sharper, deeper ache burned in her upper arm. She remembered now—the bullet had grazed her. "Ah," she grunted, clutching her head as a sharp jolt shot through her skull. She tried to gather her thoughts, but her memories remained foggy. Clenching her eyes shut, she attempted to ease the pounding sensation threatening to split her head. Nothing helped. A groan escaped her lips as the pain intensified, and just like that, she collapsed again, losing herself to unconsciousness. --- That same night, beneath the relentless downpour, three figures—soaked badly and hunted by their own troubles—hurried through the dark forest. It wasn’t quite midnight, but the trees intensified the darkness, and only the lightning allowed brief glimpses of their surroundings. They weren’t running, but their pace was too brisk to be called walking. All three wore black jumpsuits. They hadn’t planned to go this deep into the woods, but those hunting them left no choice. The girl at the back, Erica, stepped into thick mud as she struggled to keep up with the others. “Damnit!” she groaned as she fell, exhaustion pressing heavily on her. The two in front stopped and turned. “Erica,” called Natalie, a girl with long curly hair and light brown skin, as she backtracked toward her, concern filling her expression. The third girl, Isabelle, with a crew cut and brown skin, extended a hand to help her up. “This won’t kill me,” Erica muttered, pushing herself to her feet with a grimace as the mud clung to her boots. Isabelle sighed and glanced at Natalie. “Come on, we need to keep moving. If we stand still, they’ll catch up to us.” Erica surged ahead, and the others followed. But she didn’t get far. She stumbled, her foot striking something in the darkness. She gasped, heart racing as she tripped over something solid. The others stopped, barely able to see what was happening in the dark. “There’s something here,” Erica said, her voice tight as her heart pounded. She stepped back instinctively. “Thought you were tougher than that,” Isabelle teased, though her voice lacked its usual lightness. They all felt it—something was wrong, especially when the lightning briefly illuminated the ground. Natalie stepped forward, curiosity piqued. She crouched down, her gaze widening as recognition dawned—along with horror. The others rushed to her side. Isabelle knelt, breath quickening as realization hit: it was a body. There was warmth and a faint pulse—they all felt it beneath their fingers. Isabelle glanced at her companions as the air turned heavy with the weight of a decision. Should they leave her or carry on without the burden? She preferred the former. She was sure Erica agreed with her, but Natalie would be another matter. “We can’t help her,” Erica said, her voice steady. Yet inside, her heart raced. She scanned the darkened woods, filled with unseen threats. “Let’s go.” They didn’t know this girl. They were on the run. Leaving her behind made sense—but something shifted in the air around Natalie. “I felt her. She’s alive,” Natalie said calmly, prompting a frown from Erica. Isabelle cursed under her breath. In the chaos of their flight, she had almost forgotten Natalie’s medical training. “We can’t take her with us, Natalie. We don’t even know who did this to her.” “But she’s like me,” Natalie insisted, emotion breaking through her stoic mask. “When I first met you, you were like her. Struggling. Alone. No one cared whether you lived or died.” Isabelle was speechless. How could she forget the girl she had once been? If not for Natalie’s kindness, she would have been left to die, just like this girl might be. “Natalie…” Erica’s voice darkened, tinged with frustration and fear. “Do you even know why she’s here? Think. We can’t afford to let your emotions lead us into another disaster.” “Can’t we save her?” Natalie pressed. “If we don’t, aren’t we the monsters? Are we just going to leave her to die?” Erica flinched at the accusation, their shared past pressing painfully into her chest. “Damnit, Natalie!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. “You can’t save everyone!” Isabelle sighed. Arguing was pointless. Natalie’s stubborn empathy was like pounding water in a mortar—pointless and painful. She hated it—but she bent down, lifted the girl, and slung her over her back. “Are you serious?” Erica hissed in disbelief. “What are you waiting for? Let’s move!” Isabelle urged. The urgency of their situation returned, driving them forward through the forest. As the girl lay limp over Isabelle’s shoulders, a pressure built in her mind with every step. What am I doing? she wondered. It wasn’t too late to let go—something she had always done. But Natalie was right. Just as she had once been saved, this girl deserved the same chance, even if the cost was high. Their journey through the forest felt endless. They didn’t know where they were headed—only that it had to be away from those chasing them. Suddenly, Isabelle froze. A cold dread trickled down her spine as something sharp pressed against her neck. The other two paused ahead, unaware and too far to notice her change in posture. “Isabelle…” Natalie called, sensing something was wrong. “I…” Isabelle felt warm breath against her ear. The voice was hoarse, barely audible, but chillingly dark. “…can’t die… I still have to kill them…” The words were quiet, but they landed like a curse in Isabelle’s mind, sending shivers down her spine. Before she could react, the pressure vanished. A knife clattered softly to the ground. The girl’s arms went limp once again. But Isabelle couldn’t breathe. She hadn’t even realized the knife was hers—taken without her noticing. And now she knew, with absolute certainty—this girl wasn’t just trouble. She was something none of them were ready for.
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BAD HEROINES The Devil Here
The sun's rays fought against the heavy clouds, finally breaking through, to touch the pale faces of the three girls huddled together. A chill in the air made them cling tightly to each other, surrounding the stiffened one in the middle. Isabelle weakly opened her eyes before widening them. She looked at her sleeping position and frowned as a wave of discomfort washed over her. She realized she’d slept clinging to the stranger they had rescued. With a groan, she sat up slowly, her body stiff from the cold. As she looked around, they were still in the forest, but morning light filtered through the leaves. The forest no longer seemed dark—it was stunning, especially with the blossoming flowers. Turning to her side, Natalie was still asleep, wrapped around the stranger. They hadn’t done much to help her—there were no medications—but bringing her along had felt better than leaving her behind in the wilderness. But then a nagging thought gnawed at Isabelle. Erica wasn’t there. “Hey,
BAD HEROINES Fatal Accident
Her mind was restless, but no matter how hard she thought, none of the questions had an answer. Her heart almost leaped from her chest when the sound of the door opening filled the room. When she looked at the door, there was a girl with golden-brown skin and curly hair tied in a bun. She was wearing a uniform that identified her as a nurse. Lijun quietly sighed with relief. "You've woken up. How do you feel?" the nurse asked with concern and relief. She seemed like a foreigner, but her speech was fluent. Lijun nodded. "I am fine. When will I be discharged?" The nurse raised her eyes in surprise. She had just woken up after surgery, and even now, her body had multiple wounds. Yet, the first thing she asked after waking up was about her discharge. "After the doctor approves it." After checking on her, the nurse carried her tray and left the room. When she stepped outside, she gasped, startled by the unexpected presence of someone just outside the door. A teenage girl in a school
BAD HEROINES 4. The Threats
Lian opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment, he thought he might be dreaming and started to drift back into sleep when a sharp unease crept in. He sat up slowly, his hand throbbing from the IV tube connected to it. A nurse, adjusting the line beside him, looked up as he watched her in confusion. "How do you feel?" she softly asked. Lian’s voice rasped with confusion, "Why am I here?" His mind was still foggy, but flashes of memory started piecing together. The club. No, the car with Celine. Then… the ambush. He glanced around, his pulse quickening. Where was she? "Your friend brought you in after you passed out from gas poisoning," the nurse explained. "You’re lucky it wasn’t worse." He gave her a strange gaze. Friend? Who? Lian’s thoughts scrambled. He remembered fainting, but everything after that was a blur. Was Celine okay? Before he could ask more, a woman approached the bed, clearly not a doctor. She had an edge to her look—short honey-colored hair, jeans,
BAD HEROINES 5. Escaped Death
The vast field was packed with more than twenty motorbikes lined up in perfect rows, their engines purring in anticipation. Lian stood among the crowd, blending in yet separate. The thrill of the race had always been his escape from the chaos of life. After everything that had happened, this was the only place he could think of to distract himself. These street races were always illegal, which made the nightfall the perfect time to gather. Lian had been a regular for years, always borrowing a bike from his friend Rogan. As one of the best racers, his reputation preceded him, and while most of the others had partners clinging to them, Lian always preferred to ride solo. The solitude helped him focus. Besides, Celine’s brother had originally brought him into the gang because of his skills with bikes. As he checked the bike’s gears, a soft yet confident voice caught him off guard. "Mind if I ride with you?" He turned, ready to brush her off like he did with most girls who tried t
BAD HEROINES 6. Just In Time
He was walking down a dimlight alley as he made his way towards his apartment. Most nights, he had taken this same route, hopping to catch a glimpe of a mysterious woman he had dropped off here. Thoughts of the mysterious woman he had encountered before lingered in his mind. But for two days, she had not shown up. That should have brought relief but only served to deepen his unease. The card she had given him, just a hotel address, was a distant memory now and wondered if she toyed with him. As he turned a corner, a powerful hand shot out of the shadows, grabbing his collar and throwing him violently to the ground. He tried to make sense of what happened, and he blinked up at the figure looming over him. His forehead wrinkled as his eyes focused on the heavyset man, a menacing beast tattoo marking his bald head like a brand. Recognition hit Lian's eyes. "Jake." He cursed his luck under his breath."Why is it so hard to leave the past behind?" He groaned, pushing himself up. The
BAD HEROINES 7. She Was Dangerous
The rider, clad in a sleek black jumpsuit and reflective helmet, moved with the assured grace of someone who knew she was in control. Even without seeing her face, Lian could sense it—it was a woman. One look at the customized bike and the way she dressed, he had a good guess who it might be. He smiled faintly, though wariness lingered behind his eyes. The woman reached out, handing him a spare helmet without a word. A flicker of recognition sparked within him, and without hesitation, he grabbed it, slipping it on before hopping behind her. She revved the engine, and the bike shot forward, leaving Jake and his men scrambling to their car, cursing as they tried in vain to catch up. Within seconds, the city blurred around them as she wove through traffic effortlessly, the wind whipping past them. By the time they reached the outskirts, Jake and his crew were nothing more than a memory. The bike skidded to a stop outside a quiet restaurant, and Lian dismounted, still reeling from
BAD HEROINES 8. She Won't Hide
She moved cautiously down the narrow corridor, her footsteps nearly silent under the dim, flickering lights. She passed door after door, the numbers blurring until she reached the one she sought—304. Sliding the key card before entering. The door closed behind her with a quiet click, sealing her in the stillness of the room. The moment she pocketed the card, her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down at the screen. An unknown number. Without a second thought, she tossed the phone onto the table, hoping to ignore whatever it was. Ever since she survived the poison, she had lived on the edge, wary of every step she took. The how and why of it gnawed at her constantly. She hadn't found the culprit, didn't know how they slipped the poison into her life, or what twisted motive lay behind the attack. But then the phone buzzed again. This time, a message. 'You won’t hide forever, Lin Lijun. They will know about you' Lijun’s heart stuttered. Her fingers tightened around the phone
BAD HEROINES 9. The Betrayer
Her eyes fluttered briefly before snapping open, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She scanned the unfamiliar room, her gaze locking onto the IV tube attached to her hand. She was in a hospital gown. The last thing she remembered was being in that hotel room—a trap, she realized now, expertly set. Her brow furrowed. Whoever was behind it hadn’t wanted to kill her right away. They wanted her alive for something worse. But who was it? The thought gnawed at her, an uneasy feeling tightening in her chest. She wasn’t afraid of him but the uncertainty unsettled her. She had to leave. Now. She tried to move but a sharp pain shot through her stomach, forcing a grimace. Pulling the gown aside, she saw the bandage. Of course, she thought. But if she fell into that man’s hands, this wound would be the least of her concerns. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself out of bed. She pulled the IV as she sat up, blood dripping to the floor. She ignored it, staggering toward the window, one hand
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30. The Only Way
Lijun took a step back, still clutching a shard of glass, her eyes sharp and deadly. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” she said, voice chilling. “Threatening me was your first mistake. Thinking you could manipulate me was your second.”When she smashed the bottle over his head, she acted on pure instinct, her anger flared that it drowned out all thought. The fury of being manipulated, his threats, ignited something deep within her.But as the glass shattered, realization set in, and her heart hammered in her chest. She knew she screwed herself. There would be no easy escape now. If she was going to get out of this alive, she’d have to fight—and that meant taking on the entire camp?“Now it’s your turn to pay. For every drop of blood of my comrades, and this …" He showed his three fingers. Her grip tightened. Those words confirmed her thoughts, no way without a fight. Since was the case, she should do everything she could. Her eyes glinted as she stared at Andrew, who made
29. Time For Payment
The room fell silent as Andrew uttered the name. Every pair of eyes turned to her, widening in shock. He descended the stairs quickly, his gaze locked on her. When he stopped, just a few steps away, he looked her over with a strange, almost intensity gaze.What the hell is going on…Andrew spread his arms with a crooked grin. “Well, well, well. Are you all seeing this? The infamous ‘Scupper’ herself! Terrorist, fugitive... my idol!” He pointed at her with a hand missing two fingers. “Please, have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.”Lijun stiffened. If she had to choose between getting beheaded or dealing with this, both would be a nightmare. She stole a glance at Lian; he was pale, his jaw clenched. He wasn’t just frightened; he hated this situation as much as she did.They were led to a room where they sat across from Andrew, who lounged with a smug, while a woman brought food and liquor to the table. He studied her as if he had the upper hand, savouring every moment of her discomf
28. I'm Not Her
They remained outside, catching their breath after the fight. Lijun leaned against a tree, watching Lian as he tried to pick up his knife, his hands trembling. She noticed something strange—despite his injuries, he showed no sign of pain, as if his body was numb.She moved toward him, wanting to inspect the damage she’d caused to his hand. She needed him alive; whatever their current situation, he was still useful. She knew the same men from earlier might return, so she had to patch him up quickly before they left. But as she drew closer, Lian’s sharp gaze stopped her.Ignoring his silent warning, she stepped closer and crouched beside him. "Don’t trouble yourself. Honestly, I’m not looking forward to playing nurse here."His dark eyes deepened, studying her in silence.Despite their hostility, Lijun realized that Lian wasn’t a bad person, not really—not the way he wanted her to see him. Even though he clearly wanted something from her, he could have abandoned her. She was nothing
27. Hatred And Mistrust
The tension between them simmered, thick as she narrowed her eyes at him."What? Go to the village?" she spat, her voice cutting through the silence. "Are you out of your mind?"Lian arched a brow, clearly unimpressed by her tone. "You want to stay hidden here forever? I thought you were smarter than that."For three days, they'd been holed up in that abandoned shack, each day stretching longer as they tried to ignore the trouble looming just beyond those thin walls. She barely knew him—this man who seemed to know far too much about her, who claimed he wanted to help her regain her memories and find someone.His proposal seemed absurd. The village was no place for her, not with her face practically branded as a target. He might have a chance there, but she wouldn’t. He still didn’t understand that, and his stubbornness grated at her."The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll reach before sunset," he arguedShe scoffed. "And I suppose you'll carry me all the way there?" She folded her ar
26. A Good Person
When Lijun jumped, she wasn’t sure she would survive—and truthfully, she didn’t want to. Since the day she’d awakened with no memory and the world’s hateful eyes on her, thoughts of death had become a haunting comfort. But dying was about escaping; she wanted them to think she was gone while she hid, somewhere, still breathing, beyond their reach.When she opened her eyes to find herself not submerged in water, her thoughts returned immediately to Celine’s brother, and she jolted upright from the bed. For reasons she couldn’t explain, that man haunted her. The room around her was worn, built from rough wood and clearly neglected.Nearby, a figure lay on the floor, back turned to her. Her eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring. It couldn’t be him—could it? Whoever he was, he had to be the one who dragged her from the lake.“Why don’t you leave me alone!” she burst out, her voice with frustration.The man stirred, and his voice replied coldly, “You don’t deserve to die… nor live.” As he sat
25. Deep Grave
That evening, Rochelle drove up to Evelyn’s mansion. Though Evelyn had never given her the address, Rochelle had her ways. After all, if she could track down the most elusive criminals, finding one young woman’s home wasn’t exactly a challenge.She wasn’t expecting Lijun to be here, and Rochelle had come for a different reason. However, she had many reasons to believe Evelyn was hiding something valuable.Dialing the house number, Rochelle listened as the phone rang unanswered. She narrowed her eyes, gaze fixed on the mansion. Though the curtains were drawn, the lights on inside suggested Evelyn was home.Rochelle tried again, bracing herself. If Evelyn didn’t answer, she'd take it as a sign of trouble—and barge right in.Finally, Evelyn picked up. Rochelle kept her tone light, though her gaze was steely. “I’ve been outside your place forever. Care to let me in? It's freezing out here.”Silence followed, and Rochelle waited, expecting Evelyn to rush to open the gate. Instead, the dela
24. Unexpected Visitor
Evelyn arrived in front of her opulent two-story house in her stunning sports car, the engine purring as she parked in the driveway. Just as she made her way towards the entrance, the house came alive with light, causing her to freeze mid-step. Aside from the occasional maids who came and went during the day, she was the sole occupant of the residence. Her home was equipped with a high-tech security system with its unique codes, which was supposed to be known by only her. Noticing a strange situation, a sudden jolt of unease crept in her, Furrowing her brow, she retrieved her iPad and quickly accessed the security footage of her home. After scanning through several clips, she paused, her attention narrowing on one particular frame. There was something unsettling in the footage that demanded her full concentration. On the screen, a woman with brown skin lounged in a cozy living room, casually waving at the camera. She tightened her grip on her phone, suddenly feeling a wave of un
23. Finding Her
Down the hall, Evelyn moved confidently through a line of officers who glanced at her with frowns, clearly puzzled by her presence. She was young, barely an adult, and to them, looked out of place at a crime scene. They exchanged skeptical glances, but she ignored their stares, focused on her mission. Her eyes locked on the empty bed, and her heart dropped—Lijun was gone. Beside the bed stood a doctor and a middle-aged woman with short, ear-length hair, dark strands falling over half of her face. Her beauty was striking, but what caught Evelyns attention was her aura: cold, detached, and intimidating. She recognized her instantly as a detective from China, sent here to retrieve Lijun. This woman was the type who wouldn’t hesitate to act if necessary, and she knew better than to provoke her. Their eyes met, and Evelyn emotionless asked “Where’s Rochelle?” One of the officers tilted his head, seemingly trying to size her up. When it became clear they weren’t going to answer, She le
22. The Conditions
She took a slow, steady breath, her gaze drifting out over the dark water that stretched endlessly around the boat. Was this not proof enough for her situation? He intended to kill her, and no one would know. If she didn't find a way out, no one would. Five mascular men stood on the deck, arms crossed, watching indifferently as she was brought by Lian. Then he put her on the chair. She sat up, lifting her gaze to stare across the deck where Japser stood, silhouetted against the moonlight. A cold resolve settled over her. 'Fine,' She thought clenched her fists. 'If I'm the one with what you want, then you will be talking business with me. Unless you're ready to kill me and lose her in the process,' Leaning back in her chair, she fixed her eyes on him. Her voice was smooth and mocking. "You care about her, don’t you? Let’s see just how far you're willing to go. " Her words made everyone froze. They almost forgot who were dealing with due to her weakling body. But for Japser was