Touched by an Angel

Chapter 6- A Matter of Trust

Shan Cai walked along the street with her mind replaying the conversation she had with Hua Ze Lei. She didn't get him. From what she heard about him, he wasn't the type to go around mocking people. So why was he so interested in her? She knew that she had been rude, but she didn't need someone to be poking in her life, not now, not ever.

Rich people were always thinking that they were the center of everything. The whole world revolved around them just because they had money. She hated the way that everyone at Ying De thought themselves of being above her just because she was poorer than them. With her marks, she could've gotten into universities far better than the prestigious Ying De. But it had been a childhood dream of her mother to get into Ying De, and Shan Cai wanted to be a good daughter. This was something she was doing for her mother, otherwise, she would've quit long ago.

Shan Cai kept on wandering around aimlessly. She didn't want to go home. Not yet anyway. The events of the past few days had made her feel uncomfortable. And the lonely silence of the house unnerved her.

She walked past a souvenirs shop and turned right into a small dark street. She had never been here before. Taking no notice of the odd squeak of rats, she kept walking ahead, determined not the let the dark frighten her. If she was afraid of something as flimsy as the night, then what could she achieve in life? So she recklessly ignored the little voice in her head telling her to be cautious.

But the more she walked, the more she felt as if she was making a horrible mistake. Maybe she should turn back now, before something happened. Rather be safe than sorry, she told herself. But her determined stubborn other half told her to keep going and despite all protests from her subconscious, she kept walking.

Suddenly she heard a footstep behind her.

She swirled around. There was no one there.

Your imagination is playing games with you, she logically thought. It's nothing. Just keep walking. You'll be in the light soon. It was probably just a rat or some other scavenger. Shan Cai walked on, her stomach tight with unease. Her strides grew and her pace quickened, even though her previous suspicions were unconfirmed. If only she didn't let her pride get in the way so often, she thought sullenly. But another small 'creak' interrupted her thoughts and sent shivers up her spine.

She froze. Turning around slowly, she once again discovered that there was no one there.

Or was there?

Shan Cai squinted her eyes tightly and in the dark shadows of compost bins, she swore she could just make out the dim outline of a person. Her hands trembled and goose bumps grew on her skin. She took a tentative step forward.

A rat scampered out of the dark edges and Shan Cai almost cried with relief. See? Her other half cried mockingly, see what a fool you are? Being scared to death by a stupid rat!

Shan Cai turned around and began walking again, this time far more relaxed than before. Her mind was just playing stupid tricks on her because of the dark. It was nothing-

Thump.

An unmistakable sound of a heavy human footstep resonated behind her. The noise was so real that even the proud stubborn part of Shan Cai couldn't pass it off as a rat. Cautiously, she turned and examined her surroundings. Was it just her imagination, or did it just get darker? Shan Cai shivered, but she wasn't sure whether it was from fear or the cold. Bending down, she picked up a stick to fight with incase-

A strong arm grabbed her from behind and a hand stifled her screams. Her attacker stunk with alcohol as he gripped her tighter. Shan Cai struggled and attempted to hit him with her stick but he banished it with ease. She tried to scream again but only a muted muffle came out.

No, thought Shan Cai definitely. NO!

She opened her mouth and bit hard into the chubby dirt-stained fingers. Her attacker howled with pain and swung her into a pile of rusty industrial bins. The world around her spun as Shan Cai's head made contact with the hard metal. She coughed and struggled up, only to be forced down roughly by a pair of hands.

With a hazy gaze, Shan Cai punched and kicked blindly, hoping against hope that she might be able to fend the attacker off so that she can escape. But her attacker was too strong. He slapped her across the face so hard that Shan Cai could taste the salty savor of blood in her mouth. Groaning, Shan Cai struggled to stay conscious, using every part of her determination to fight against the overpowering force of unconsciousness.

With a brutal tear, Shan Cai felt the buttons of her top fall off. Tears swelled in her eyes as she realized what was happening. She punched more, struggled, and sobbed.

"Please, don't," she cried. "Don't do this to me."

The only reply she received was silence.

No, Shan Cai's mind screamed. Why is this happening to me? Why me? She stopped struggling. It was useless, she knew. It wouldn't do anything. She was doomed. The last tears rolled down her cheeks and she just stayed paralyzed, knowing what was to come.

Only it never did.

Her attacker had gotten off her, she noticed suddenly. Blinking back tears, she saw that he was fighting someone. And was losing. With a yelp her attacker ran away.

Shan Cai could have sobbed in relief. She collapsed onto the ground, sliding down onto the cold concrete floor. Her rescuer hurried over and only when he was right next to her did her barely conscious minds realize how it was.

Hua Ze Lei.

"Did he…" he trailed off.

Shan Cai shook her head tiredly. She had started to recover, and could tell that he had seemed suddenly very relieved.

Hua Ze Lei suddenly realized the state her top. He took off his jacket and made her wear it. Shan Cai was too tired to protest, and let Lei help her get into his jacket. Walking slowly with Lei's support, Shan Cai made it out of the alley. Away from the terrorizing darkness and into the light, Shan Cai suddenly felt much better.

"I'd better take you home," said Lei. "You need to get changed first though."

Shan Cai shook her head determinedly. "I'm alright. Thank you. I think I can go back home by myself." She stumbled across the road, but Lei followed her.

"But wouldn't your parents get suspicious if they see your clothes?" Lei couldn't miss the pained look in Shan Cai after he asked the question. But she simply shrugged. "You still don't trust me," Lei commented, his voice sounding unhappy even to his own ears.

Shan Cai shook her head. "No. I do."


A/N: Sorry for the slow updates. Lif'es hectic. Please bear with me.

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Amyranty.

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