Blood, Fear, and an Unknown Past

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway, breaking the silence like ripples caused by a thrown stone. The occupants of the building turned their heads with various expressions: some showed fear, others were wary, trying to guess the source of the sound. Nico turned toward the front door. A young woman ran inside, panting heavily, her face pale as a ghost. Fresh blood dripped from her right hand, leaving a red trail on the floor.

"Cheng Tang! Who is this? How did this woman end up with you?" Nico asked suspiciously, though his eyes were full of caution.

Malik—also known as Cheng Tang—just shook his head slightly without answering. Nico raised his hand, signaling for the woman to be brought inside.

"Hey! What happened?" Nico hurried to the woman, his voice firm yet reassuring. He knelt beside her, trying to calm her trembling body. "You're safe here. We'll help you."

The woman slowly lifted her face, her eyes filled with indescribable fear. "They..." her voice was barely a whisper. "They're after me!" Her breath hitched as she tried to explain. "I just want to find my brother. I don't want to go back to them."

Before Nico could ask more, heavy footsteps sounded outside. A group of men in dark uniforms stood in front of the building, their eyes scanning every corner sharply.

"She's here!" one of them shouted, his eyes sharp like an eagle locking onto its prey. Their hardened faces and determined expressions were intimidating, while their body language exuded an aggression that was hard to suppress.

The woman collapsed to the floor, trembling, barely able to contain her panic. Nico looked at Cheng Tang sharply. "This building is safe," Cheng Tang murmured softly, as if convincing himself. "They won't know she's here."

"Who are they?" Nico asked while helping the woman to her feet.

"They want to take me back," the woman answered, tears starting to stream down her cheeks. "I just want to find my sister."

Nico felt anger rising within him, but he remained calm. "Min Tang, get some warm water and bandages. Quick!" he ordered while examining the wound on the woman's hand. It was deep, bleeding profusely. Nico knew he had to act fast.

Malik returned with medical supplies in hand. Carefully, he began cleaning the woman's wounds. "I'm sorry if this hurts," he said softly. His hands were steady and attentive, as he applied the medicinal ointment to her injuries. The woman bit her lip, trying to endure the sharp sting.

While Malik focused on treating the wounds, Nico went upstairs. He pulled back the thin curtains at the window, keeping an eye on the street below. The men in dark uniforms were still pacing back and forth, like wolves scenting prey. After several minutes, they finally left, disappearing around the corner.

Nico came back downstairs. "They're gone," he said, his voice low but commanding. He glanced at Malik, then at the woman. "Now, I want to know what really happened."

Malik finished with the medical supplies, then handed the woman a glass of water. The tension in the room began to ease slightly. A faint sense of relief hung in the air, though the big questions still lingered in their minds.

"Start from the beginning," Nico urged, his tone firm but not harsh. "Ming Tang, how did you end up saving this woman? What exactly happened?"

Malik took a deep breath before answering. "When I went out to get the things you asked for, I saw her running out of a small alley. She looked terrified and fell near me. At first, I didn't want to get involved, but when I saw those men in uniforms chasing her, I knew she was in danger. So, I brought her here."

Nico listened intently, though his mind was filled with questions. He turned to the woman, his gaze serious. "Who are you? And why are they after you?"

The woman clutched the glass of water in her hands, her eyes downcast. "Thank you for saving me," she said quietly, her voice full of gratitude. "I don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't come."

Nico gave a small nod, a faint smile on his lips. "No need to thank me," he replied. "I just did what anyone should do." But deep inside, he felt it was more than just a duty to help; a strange sense of responsibility had started to grow.

"What exactly happened to you?" he asked again, this time with a softer tone but still filled with curiosity.

The woman took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Her face was pale, and her hands trembled slightly. "They want to take me back," she said, her voice almost breaking. "I just wanted to find my older sister. She ran away from home because she couldn't stand our father anymore. He…" She paused, holding back the emotions threatening to spill over. "He's cruel. I tried to stand up for her, but he was furious. When I decided to run away, I…" She showed her injured hand. "The knife…"

Nico's brow furrowed, anger simmering quietly within him. "You're lucky you ran into Malik," he said calmly. "What's your name?"

The woman lifted her face slightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "My name… it's better if you don't know who I am. I'm sorry, but I can't reveal my identity to you."

She slowly stood up, her body still frail. "I have to return to where I came from. If I stay here, you might be in danger because of me. Thank you for helping me." Her smile was faint, but there was sincerity in her gaze.

Malik stood up immediately, concern written all over his face. "Are you sure you'll be okay? Weren't those men still looking for you earlier?"

The woman nodded slowly, though her body seemed hesitant. "I'll be fine. They won't hurt me if I go back. I have to leave now." She bowed deeply. "Thank you, Mr. Tang. Young Master Tang."

As she turned toward the door, Malik suddenly called out to her. "Hey, listen to me." His voice was firm, but not intimidating. "Remember this—if you're ever in trouble, come here. If you need help, find me."

The woman turned back, a small smile forming on her face. "Thank you," she said softly before stepping into the cold night.