„Air,"

She gasped and leaned against a wall nearby, her other hand clutching her knees, trying not to faint.

No, she couldn't pass out now. She had to keep going, she had to get away. In an alley nearby she finally got to rest for a couple of minutes and focus her mind on her plan. It was more of a survival plan. Nothing seemed more important right now. Nathalie looked as her bruised arms and blood stained shirt and trousers. She had to get changed.

As no one was nearby she quickly emptied the backpack she was carrying and pulled out freshly folded clothes, a towel, and a water bottle. She drenched the towel and quickly rubbed off the blood on her skin. Then she changed into the clothes she had prepared. Relieved she put the blood and water soaked clothes into her backpack and moved on.

From time to time, her head was spinning and she had to stop to regain consciousness or else she would have fainted. Her legs were aching, so was her stomach. She was still sore. Actually, she needed some medical attention, but she didn't have time for that or else she would have needed to answer a lot of questions she couldn't reply to. She wouldn't be safe. She wouldn't be safe.

Her thoughts were racing through her head. Sometimes she wasn't paying attention where she was going and a few people had to jump out of her way, cursing as they passed up her. She wasn't paying attention, all she could think of was her plan. Even though, it was very hard for her to see. Nathalie actually lost her glasses during her escape and now she could only see anything less than 3 and a half meters away from her. Nothing more.

As her thoughts drifted, she thought of her past life she had to abandon, because of her own safety. Now, all she had left was her backpack and her phone.

She quickly focussed on her plan once again and as she reached Huangpu River, she put down her backpack. She closed her eyes and let a tear escape. There is no turning back, she thought and tightened her grip around the handle of the backpack. Soon she gathered some rocks from the shore and put them inside of the backpack. As it was near midnight, barely anyone was in the streets, so she wouldn't cause any attention.

With all her strength and courage she tossed the bag over the railing into the Huangpu River. As the bag dropped into the water she closed her eyes. A small tear rolled down her left cheek. She didn't wipe it away, she just let it roll down her cheek. It was important to her, she wanted to feel the pain, all the pain she had just felt, once again. She wanted to feel alive again. All she felt was numb.

Her now slightly trembling hand pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialled a number. A number she has memorised, because for now, nobody could know he would know her.

The phone kept connecting forever until a deep voice on the other end of the line picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Mr Agreste. This is Nathalie."

"What can I do for you, Nathalie?"

"Y-you told me to call you when I needed help," she said, trembling more out of fear than actual excitement of having finally reached him,"I need your help. You offered me a job."

"I did, indeed. Are you up for it?"

"I am. As long as you get me away from him, I will search for the special jewels for you."

Gabriel smiled on the other line and chuckled slightly.

"So be it. We have got a deal. If you find those I am looking for, I am offering you a stable job in Paris as my assistant, Nathalie."

"I won't disappoint you."

"A partner will pick you up tomorrow. I will send you the details. I am also checking you into a hotel where you will be safe. I will send you the details and everything will be arranged when you get there."

Before Nathalie could say anything Gabriel had ended the call.

Slightly relieved, but still very exhausted she headed her way. A few minutes later she got a message with all the details she needed. So she headed to the hotel where she would stay.

She was safe.

For now.