The tattoo artist glanced at her curiously. “Did something happen recently, young lady? Did you get into a fight with your boyfriend?”

Rachel bit her lip before forcing out a few strained words. “I never thought this tattoo would end up hurting me this much.”

If she hadn’t gotten that tattoo back then, maybe things would’ve turned out differently.

That butterfly had once offered her hope. Now, it was a curse to her.

The artist could tell just from her expression that this tattoo had caused her a lot of pain. He tried to comfort her.

“It’s alright. Once it’s gone, your life gets a clean slate, too.”

Rachel’s body was tense. The veins on the back of her hands stood out, and sweat dripped down her forehead. She barely managed to speak.

“Yeah, my life’s about to restart.”

Almost three hours later, she felt completely drained. The artist helped her into a chair and noticed how pale she was. Her lips were drained of color.

He poured her a glass of water.

“Kid, I have to say. I admire your courage.”

Rachel’s hands trembled as she took the glass and forced a weak smile. It felt like she’d just survived something brutal.

“Thank you.”

“No problem. Just get some rest tonight, and try not to get that area wet for a couple of days.”

After paying, Rachel walked out of the tattoo studio. It was already midnight.

She walked a short distance down the road. She was planning to call a cab when she heard a group of men talking and laughing nearby.

“I told you that chick wasn’t into it, and you didn’t believe me. You had to go and push it.”

“Yeah, she nearly called the cops.”

“It’s late, and she was just standing there on the street. Who knew what she was doing? Of course I thought she was a prostitute.”

“Check it out. There’s a real beauty over there. Damn, she’s hot.”

The moment Rachel heard that, she knew she was in trouble. She quickened her pace. Behind her, the laughter grew louder.

“She’s leaving!”

“Get her!”

No matter how fast she walked, she couldn’t outrun them. In just a few strides, they had her surrounded. Panic surged in her chest, and in a split-second, she called William.

She didn’t wait to see if the call went through; she started pleading immediately.

“William, I’m on Warren Street. Can you come get me?”

The call went through as William picked up. He sounded annoyed. “Rachel, I’ve got something going on right now. Weren’t you supposed to be meeting up with Cecilia?” Then he added almost like an afterthought, “Oh right, I forgot you can’t hear me.”

“I can hear-” Rachel started, but she couldn’t waste time explaining. She had to protect herself.

After what had happened with Howard, she feared the worst.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The line went dead. A cold, mechanical sound echoed in her ear.

Her heart sank.

Moments later, her phone buzzed. She glanced at it.

[Rachel, just grab a cab and head back. I’ve got some things to handle right now. Can’t come over.]

A chill went down her spine. She felt like she’d fallen into an icy pit.

The thugs must’ve noticed the change in her expression because they burst out laughing.

“Aww, she tried calling her boyfriend, and he ditched her.”

“Sweetheart, listen to me. Guys are all the same. That one’s useless. Why not come have some fun with us instead?”

“Come on, we’ll show you a good time.”

As they spoke, they began closing in around her.