※ Eliana's POV ※

It's been a month since I last saw Lucifer.

Christmas is around the corner and a small layer of snow has fallen all over the city, covering it like a white veil. The temperature here in Thessaloniki is usually normal and tends to be warm, but this year is like the sun disappeared. The temperature has reached -12 Celcius degrees and I can officially say that I hate the cold.

Sure, I don't mind a cold breeze hitting my bare legs while I walk towards the bars and the clubs, but this unbearable cold that makes you squeeze your guts in order to get a little warm pisses me off. I mean, I am wearing two shirts, a hoodie, and a whole ass coat on top and I'm still cold! Unbelievable!

Stop whining about the cold! For fuck's sake..., Kara hissed at me.

Kara, it's not my fault that you are stuck inside my mind and you have to hear my every thought! But in my defense you have been here for the past 19 years, so you must already know that I'm a WHINY PERSON!

Yes, yes, I know...But please, let's talk about something else besides the cold and your aching muscles!

Okay, okay I'll stop...for now, I answered her while I was strolling around the busy street, looking at the windows of the shops. I balanced my phone and my hot latte on my left hand, while I adjusted my grey beanie on top of my head, covering my ears and muttering some greek curses at the snow underneath my breath.

What do you think I should buy for dad?

What are you thinking? Accessories, clothes, or something else?

Well, I think he has more than enough clothes so maybe like a watch? Or like a scarf? Oh, maybe cufflinks!

Yeah, I think he would like a new pair of cufflinks, Kara said, brushing it off.

Dad never left for Athens. He said that all of his business meetings were cleared and that Giorgos, his best mate, was looking out for the management of the hotel. However, work got pretty intense here, because dad was building a new hotel in the center of the city so he had to go every day to help the architect and "keep things in order", as he said.

Of course, I couldn't be happier that I had my dad with me during the holidays, but he was gone every day from 10 am to 10 pm, and every time he returned he was drained and tired. He only stayed home on Sundays and we usually spend the day together. I really hope he'll take a week off for the holidays because I wanna spend them with him.

I stopped in front of a shop window that had accessories for men and searched for cufflinks. Once I spotted some in the distance, I entered the shop, adjusting my handbag on my shoulder and trying not to spill my coffee.

"Kalimera sas! Xronia polla!"The cheerful assistant smiled brightly at me. (Good morning, Happy holidays!)

"Kalimera, epishs!"I replied, smiling softly at her. I'm pretty sure I looked like Rudolf with my red nose and rosy cheeks, as I smiled at the assistant, passing by her and going straight for the thing that I came for. (Good morning, you too!)

"Mporo na sas voithiso me kati?" She politely asked and came to my side, beside the table with the accessories. (Can I help you with anything?)

"Oxi, oxi, euxaristo" I answered her with a tight smile, feeling my body getting hotter and hotter underneath all that clothing. The drastic change of the temperature annoyed me incredibly and I'm sure that I would take it out on the polite assistant. (No, no thank you)

I looked over at her one last time and the shining gold chain that dove inside her burgundy button-up shirt caught my attention and made me do a double-take. I gasped and my hand shot out towards her neck before I could stop it. I pulled at the frightened assistant's necklace slightly, revealing it to my eyes.

But instead of a ring, a small heart-shaped locket stood on the end of the necklace. My wide eyes snapped up to the woman's who looked at me with a scared expression. I immediately removed my hand, placed it by my side, and looked down at my shoes, embarrassed.

"Eee, signomi... am, exeis poli omorfo kolie..." I stuttered out, highly ashamed of my irrational action. (Ummm, I'm sorry...um, you have a really beautiful necklace)

"Ee, eyxaristo... Ean xreiasteite kati peite mou"She trailed off and quietly left, walking towards the cashier who was watching the events unfold, ready to intervene. I cursed underneath my breath and turned towards the table, trying to get him out of my mind again. (Erm, thank you... If you need anything just tell me)

I looked down at the cufflinks and tried to find something that would fit him.

I chose a pair of silver cufflinks with emeralds that stood out beautifully. Without looking at the woman in the eye, I paid the cashier quietly and quickly, and run out of the store. Once I was outside and away from the shop that I would never set my foot in again, I exhaled and sipped on my latte, the warm liquid calming me down immediately.

What was that about?, I heard Kara laughing out loud inside my mind, mocking me. My cheeks flamed and I shut my eyes tightly, trying to forget it ever happened.

Nothing. Let's never talk about it again, I grunted and hissed underneath my breath. I started walking towards my house which was about 15 minutes away if I jogged a little. I was more than eager to return home.

Once my thoughts recalled the incident, a pang of loneliness hit my chest for the millionth time this past month. I shook my head, trying to ignore the fact that the pain was getting worse every single day.

I shouldn't be alone today or else I'm gonna replay that terrible moment again and again till I die from my shame.

I unlocked my phone and pressed Christine's name, calling her number. She picked up on the third ring.

"Hey El"

"Heyyy, what are you up to?"

"Just cooking some lunch for Elliot and me. How about you?"

"Awww, you guys are so cute! I was out shopping and now I'm heading home. I was wondering if you're free in the afternoon, and maybe come over and watch some movies"

"Um yes sure. I'll be over at... um, like 7? Is that okay?"

"Yes, yes. That's perfect. See you then babes"

"Okay great. Elliot says hiii"

"Give him a kiss for me. I've gotta go now. Bye Chris, love you"

"Adiooos, love you too"

I hung up the phone and sighed as I kept walking towards my house, taking a right turn into an emptier street that didn't have any shops, only buildings with apartments.

The traumatic experiences from Hell made me afraid of my own shadow, so whenever I was alone in the road I was alerted and probably scared that someone or something might attack me. My anxiety is kind of better now, but it's still very present. And with all those incidents of sexual abuse that have been happening in Greece lately, my heart skips a few beats when I'm outside.

I opened my handbag and grabbed my keys, putting them in between my fingers as I walked along the street. I finished my latte and threw it in a dumpster beside the road, before hearing a shuffling sound from behind me.

My fist clenched and my fingers tightened around the metallic keys as I whipped my head around quickly, scanning the street. I felt chills going down my spine as I noticed how quiet the street was, considering it was 1:00 pm. I continued walking, a little faster this time, as I continuously scanned the street and the small valleys here in there.

5 more minutes, Eli, you got this! And it's morning, nothing is gonna happen!

I took a left turn and entered my street, walking as fast as I could with my heeled boots, clutching my keys in my right hand and my phone in the other.

I was about 10 steps away from my door when I felt a hand cover my mouth and another trapping my right hand on the side of my body as it grabbed me, pulling me backward. My eyes widened and I felt my body going numb as I got pulled inside the dark alley close to my house. I think my mind went into shock as I tried to inhale air through my nose, and let the stranger drag me, without moving a muscle.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING! DO SOMETHING ELIANA!, I heard Kara's voice in the distance and I felt as if my mind was shutting down.

When I felt something cold and hard against my cheek, along with a painful blow on my head, I sensed my mind waking up abruptly and I realized what was happening.

I started shaking like crazy against the cold wall and trying to open my mouth and scream out for help. I shook and kicked backward, hitting his knees multiple times but he didn't budge. All I could see was his dirty shoes behind my own, as he had collided my head on the wall, holding my head with an angle towards the floor. I opened my mouth a little and managed to bite the inside of his palm as hard as I could, and his reaction was simply to grunt out a curse.

"Stupid bitch" The English and the American accent threw me off guard for a second, but I immediately continued shaking right and left, desperate to free my body that he had pinned against the wall. "Are you going to watch or are you going to join?" His rough voice sounded.

I saw a pair of dirty, ripped sneakers step beside me and I started moving more frantically, realizing that there are two people and I was outnumbered and clearly weaker. I felt my eyes sting as a hand touched my hair and caressed it. My vision blurred and panic spread in my mind, my heartbeat going berserk and my breathing seizing.

El...rel...ax... ELI!, I heard a faint voice inside my mind but I couldn't focus on it.

As panic took over my brain and body, I started shaking even more, desperate to breathe and be released. My muffled screams were coming out as small grunts and I was sure nobody could hear them, in this deserted alley.

"Oh, stop it! We're gonna have some fun, alright? So you might as well relax and enjoy it, huh?" The first man, whispered harshly in my ear, hissing. I could feel his wicked smile as he spoke and terror passed through me like electricity.

He pushed me harder into the wall, my head colliding with the concrete once again. The other man grabbed my head tightly and rounded it up, smashing it against the wall hard. My eyes snapped shut as intense and loud ringing sounded inside my mind, cutting out any thoughts I had.

Eliana! Can you hear me?, I heard Kara's anxious voice.

Yes?, I thought, confused at everything that was happening.

You have to slow down your thinking! Your brain was burning up and blocking me from you! Call for help! Call him! N-, She said as quickly as possible before I felt the agonizing pain as my head collided with the wall one more time.

My body hung against the wall and shagged against the man's arms as my head fell on the wall. The men laughed as everything around me disappeared and I was slipping into and out of consciousness.

Fight, El-... St- awake.., I heard her again. Ca-... -cifer

I sensed my mouth being freed as my body was moved around like a ragdoll. I tried to get my thoughts in place, to speak or to scream, or even to get control of my body. The only thing I could do was hear what was happening around me, and I was forcing myself to focus on that so I could stay awake.

I focused on their voices and their horrible laughter, keeping my mind awake as it tried to shut down and keep away from harmful events.

"Give me the knife," The first man said and after a few seconds, I felt the cold air hit my chest. The cold chills that passed through my warm body felt like electricity, and it was as if they boosted my body and woke it up. As I slightly opened my eyes, I looked in front of me, but everything was blurry and my right eye stung as something entered it. I shut it tightly as I heard the second man speak.

"Had a nice nap princess?"He said and I focused on him, my vision becoming clearer as the seconds passed. He was skinny and poorly dressed, with sharp cheekbones and a dirty face, full of scratches and dirt. I looked over to the first one, who was holding my body up with his own, as he looked down at my exposed chest and chuckled to himself. He had big round cheeks, a dirty beard, and green eyes, that pierced through my soul, scarring it. I could feel his rotten personality as he looked at me.

-LIANA! Focus on me! Please! Call Lucifer!, I heard Kara's voice resurface after a lot of muffled, jumbled thoughts.

I tried to focus on what she said even though I knew he wouldn't answer. He didn't answer the last 80 times that I called him, so why would he answer now?

Lucifer, I tried to contact our link.

I sensed something rough touch my exposed skin and my focus snapped to the second man who was groping my breasts. My eyes watered as I tried desperately to move my body or even my lips to scream, but it was impossible.

"Voi...Voithia"I managed to whisper out, mumbling underneath my breath. The men laughed out loud and continued to touch me everywhere. The first man brought his hand to my face and squeezed my cheeks, aww'ing at me. (He...Help)

The second man pulled out something from his back pocket, like a plastic packet, and opened it. He emptied it on his palm and brought it towards my face as the first one held my head in place.

I raised my hand to try and push him away but he was too strong. My hand fell flat on my side and my eye closed, tears escaping it and falling down my face. When I opened my eyes again, the second man blew and dust entered my eyes, stinging like hell. I whimpered out in pain and whined as my eyes hurt, feeling something hot burning them up. My head hung as he released it and I cried out in pain.

Kara, help me..., I cried, defeated.

Lucifer! Help me, Lucifer. Please help me! Voithia, pou eisai?, I called out to him again as I sobbed against the wall and I felt the despair and the dread settle in my heart. (Help, where are you?)

The second man grabbed the back of my head and moved my hair to the side, attacking my neck with his horrible mouth. I felt disgusted and terrified. More terrified than when I was in Hell.

My body started burning up from the inside and I felt like my stomach was a kettle with scorching water bubbling inside.

Lucifer, please... Where are you... Why aren't you here?

I opened my eyes slightly, seeing everything in red from the blood and blurry from what I guessed to be pepper. I felt my body growing hotter and hotter with every passing second as anger fueled me with power.

Where are you, mate? You asked me not to leave and then you disappear? Where did you go? Why did you leave me?

Both of the men were holding me with one hand, and I found the strength inside me to raise my hands and grip their forearms. I tried pushing them away with as much force that I could gather but it clearly wasn't enough to push them away. They just laughed and the skinny one grabbed my hair harshly, tugging my head towards his, bringing his lips on my own.

I cringed and tried to move away but I had used all the strength I had. The disgust, the anger, and the devastation that I felt made me bring out all the hatred I had towards Lucifer, as I continued talking to him over our link.

Why did you abandon me? Lucifer, come back, please. Come to me. Help me, Lucifer... I'm scared.

Anger and hatred made me see red as they continued touching my body in every filthy and sick way. I gripped their arms tightly and I felt my hands burning up, as my body trembled and shook from anger and fear. I dug my nails inside their flesh and I heard them hiss in pain as they backed away a little. But my hatred was directed elsewhere.

"Lucifer! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?" I screamed out as I felt the hatred and the anger running through my veins and powering my whole body, lighting me up like a matchstick. As soon as my screaming left my mouth, I saw a very bright yellow glow appear in front of me and my eyes widened, burning from the powder.

I first sensed the hotness, then saw the light and after that, I actually realized that the two men in front of me had caught fire, and were tugging at my hands to let them go, screaming in agonizing pain.

I looked down at my hands and I saw my veins bulging out of my arms, glowing with a bright orange color. My wide eyes traveled towards my fingers which were tightly grasping their arms, completely unharmed from the fire, as the flames burned their skin and their clothes.

They shook and pulled at their hands, screaming and shouting for help as they burnt like the end of a cigarette in front of my eyes. My mind had shut down from the clear shock that I was experiencing. After what felt like minutes of being unable to move, I retreated my hands as if burned by what I was holding and brought them in front of my face, observing my veins as the orange glow faded.

The two men fell on the ground, still screaming in pain as the flames slowly went out, leaving them to grunt and choke in their burned flesh. The sight was terrifying but the smell was even worse. It smelled of death and fire, burnt skin and smoke.

I couldn't even calm my running mind down to think what just happened and my brain tried to shut down again, as I felt the tiredness and fear settle on me. I fell down, sliding against the wall, and brought my hands on my body, covering my exposed breasts as the men kept grunting while their bodies twitched. I brought my knees close to my body, morphing into a human ball on the floor.

I sat there and cried silently, watching the two abusers laying on the ground, their limbs twitching as smoke was still coming out of their melted clothes and skin. I am not sure for how long I sat there and why nobody saw or heard what was happening inside the small, dark alley. But I was too shocked to move, as I replayed the moment again and again in my mind, watching the flames emerge out of nowhere and my veins turning orange.

The powder that had entered my eyes as I cried, along with the blood that had trickled down my forehead, turned my vision blurry to the point where everything was almost grey and fogged. I might have been going blind, but I didn't find the strength to do anything about it.

The abandoned alley was consumed by dead silence and I realized that I couldn't hear the struggling breathing anymore. All I could hear were my own stable breaths and my loud heartbeat as I sat there, curled up and too afraid and weak to move.

After what felt like hours but could be only minutes, when I was almost unconscious, I heard a slight swoosh around me and I opened my eyes. Wings.

I heard his wings but I couldn't feel him. Maybe it was because I was so tired, and couldn't sense our bond. Footsteps sounded from my right and I looked in the direction of the sound. I saw a tall silhouette of a man with two huge wings spreading behind him. My vision was almost gone but I could make out the shape of him.