The Devil Here
Author: CHRISTYN4
last update2023-03-27 13:30:49

The sun's rays fought against the heavy clouds, finally breaking through, to touch the pale faces of the three girls huddled together. A chill in the air made them cling tightly to each other, surrounding the stiffened one in the middle.

Isabelle weakly opened her eyes before widening them. She looked at her sleeping position and frowned as a wave of discomfort washed over her. She realized she’d slept clinging to the stranger they had rescued.

With a groan, she sat up slowly, her body stiff from the cold. As she looked around, they were still in the forest, but morning light filtered through the leaves. The forest no longer seemed dark—it was stunning, especially with the blossoming flowers.

Turning to her side, Natalie was still asleep, wrapped around the stranger.

They hadn’t done much to help her—there were no medications—but bringing her along had felt better than leaving her behind in the wilderness.

But then a nagging thought gnawed at Isabelle.

Erica wasn’t there.

“Hey, Natalie...” she whispered, shaking her gently, panic creeping into her voice.

Startled awake, Natalie blinked, taking in Isabelle’s tense expression. Her eyes darted around before she noticed something was off. “Where’s Erica

“Looking for me?” a voice emerged from the trees, followed by a female figure with short, tousled hair, her ocean eyes brighter than before.

Natalie let out a breath of relief. But when she turned back to Isabelle, her worry intensified. Isabelle was still focused intently on the girl they had saved.

Something was wrong. Natalie immediately placed her fingers on the girl’s neck and sighed in relief when she felt a pulse. The girl was fine.

Then what made Isabelle’s eyes furrow?

“What is it?” Natalie asked, trying to mask her concern with curiosity.

Erica moved closer. “Guess what I found out?” she said eagerly.

She had woken up early before anyone else and gone ahead to check their surroundings. “We aren’t far from town. Oh, and I also saw a cabin. It looked abandoned—we could...” She stopped when she noticed the thick atmosphere.

Erica moved further forward. “This is what I’ve been telling you. You’ll regret it. And now...”

“Shut it, Erica!” Natalie snapped, then turned to Isabelle. “Why?”

Isabelle looked at Natalie with a serious expression. “Don’t you recognize her? She was all over the news. Agatha Lee. A fugitive. A murderer.”

Natalie was confused because Agatha Lee was a famous wanted criminal. And why Isabelle mentioned the devil here?

Erica expression hardened even her lingered smile faded. She stared at the woman who Isabelle called Agatha Lee and laughed. "Aren’t no way she will be here..."

Her laugh cut as both they paid close attention to the girl’s features.

Even with her eyes closed, her face was unmistakable. Long lashes over her delicate high cheekbones. Her eyebrows were sharp and defined, arching over a smooth nose bridge that led to slightly pouted, pale lips.

The shape of her face—an elegant oval with a faintly angular jawline—stirred an eerie recognition. It was like staring at a photograph come to life.

Natalie’s eyes widened.

“What the fuck! She’s Agatha—the bloodthirsty killer! Why did it turn out to be her?” Erica blurted in disbelief.

Natalie, who had insisted on helping her, was speechless. The decision to help Agatha now felt like naivety; they had saved a monster.

Erica’s hand moved instinctively to the knife at her waist. “She might wake up at any moment, right?” Her voice was low and dangerous. “Should we end this now?”

Isabelle threw her a piercing gaze, a mix of disbelief and anger. “Have you ever killed a person, Erica?”

The question hit hard. Erica froze. Her words now felt empty. She hadn’t—not even a chicken. A quiet truth she didn’t want to face. She looked away from Isabelle and returned her knife back into its sheath.

Isabelle’s expression hardened. Without a word, she knelt and gently took Agatha’s limp hands. Her weight felt heavier than it should’ve.

Natalie’s heart raced. To her, Agatha was like a ticking bomb, no matter how much she tried to deny it.

Erica stood in front of her. “Isabelle... I know you can be decisive, but your decisions have never helped us—only yourself. So please, kindly put that monster down.”

Isabelle looked at Natalie. “Natalie Stewart" Evenly she called then added "A brilliant doctor, respected by everyone. Who would’ve thought they’d label you a monster—accuse you of trafficking organs? You were found guilty, sentenced for life... and you only escaped because they tried to kill you on the way there.”

A jolt of anger ran through Natalie at Isabelle’s words. "What are you trying to say?"

To her, it was obvious Isabelle was comparing her to Agatha. A murderer.

Natalie’s fists clenched as she stood up, her throat tightening. All the frustration of her unjust trial came rushing back, threatening to drown her in despair. “That I’m like her?”

“You know I was framed,” she said, quieter now. Her chest ached. “You...” Natalie’s eyes blurred with tears. “You said you trusted me...”

Then why did you escape?” Isabelle shot back. “You could’ve asked for a pardon.”

“You were there, Isabelle. When they came for me—when I almost died. You were the one who said we’d run, not rot in a cell. Now you’re comparing me to her?”

Isabelle turned to Erica who stood with her arms crossed. Erica raised a brow.

“Erica Clark...”

Erica rolled her eyes. “Enough! This isn’t the time for speeches!”

But Isabelle continued. “Erica Clark. The proud thief who robbed a bank and—according to the news—killed her own crew to keep everything for herself. But you told us they’re still alive... that they framed you just to close the case.”

Erica frowned, Isabelle’s words reminding her what she was fighting for. Just a flicker of her memories made her veins bulge.

“What about you?" Erica pushed back "At least we were framed. You? A drug trafficker. Funny how you get to preach now.”

“You’re right" Isabelle admitted "But I wouldn’t have been arrested if they hadn’t sold me out. Same goes for Agatha Lee. They said she killed people. But they said the same about us. What if… they’re wrong again?”

When she said that, all of them sank into silence. All of them were on the run, believing the world had wronged them. But what right did they have to judge someone else? They were just like Agatha—condemned by evidence, their voices ignored by the world.

“Erica, you said you found a cabin,” Natalie said after a moment. “Let’s go there and find a way to help her. You also said there’s a town down there... we’ll need a couple of things.”

Isabelle turned to Erica, who was still clearly unsatisfied with the decision, and sternly ordered, “Lead the way.”

Just as they stepped into the trees, Agatha’s fingers twitched. And then—

She opened her eyes.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan the code to download the app

Related Chapters

  • BAD HEROINES   Fatal Accident

    Her mind was restless, but no matter how hard she thought, none of the questions had an answer. Her heart almost leaped from her chest when the sound of the door opening filled the room. When she looked at the door, there was a girl with golden-brown skin and curly hair tied in a bun. She was wearing a uniform that identified her as a nurse. Lijun quietly sighed with relief. "You've woken up. How do you feel?" the nurse asked with concern and relief. She seemed like a foreigner, but her speech was fluent. Lijun nodded. "I am fine. When will I be discharged?" The nurse raised her eyes in surprise. She had just woken up after surgery, and even now, her body had multiple wounds. Yet, the first thing she asked after waking up was about her discharge. "After the doctor approves it." After checking on her, the nurse carried her tray and left the room. When she stepped outside, she gasped, startled by the unexpected presence of someone just outside the door. A teenage girl in a school

  • BAD HEROINES   4. The Threats

    Lian opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment, he thought he might be dreaming and started to drift back into sleep when a sharp unease crept in. He sat up slowly, his hand throbbing from the IV tube connected to it. A nurse, adjusting the line beside him, looked up as he watched her in confusion. "How do you feel?" she softly asked. Lian’s voice rasped with confusion, "Why am I here?" His mind was still foggy, but flashes of memory started piecing together. The club. No, the car with Celine. Then… the ambush. He glanced around, his pulse quickening. Where was she? "Your friend brought you in after you passed out from gas poisoning," the nurse explained. "You’re lucky it wasn’t worse." He gave her a strange gaze. Friend? Who? Lian’s thoughts scrambled. He remembered fainting, but everything after that was a blur. Was Celine okay? Before he could ask more, a woman approached the bed, clearly not a doctor. She had an edge to her look—short honey-colored hair, jeans,

  • BAD HEROINES   5. Escaped Death

    The vast field was packed with more than twenty motorbikes lined up in perfect rows, their engines purring in anticipation. Lian stood among the crowd, blending in yet separate. The thrill of the race had always been his escape from the chaos of life. After everything that had happened, this was the only place he could think of to distract himself. These street races were always illegal, which made the nightfall the perfect time to gather. Lian had been a regular for years, always borrowing a bike from his friend Rogan. As one of the best racers, his reputation preceded him, and while most of the others had partners clinging to them, Lian always preferred to ride solo. The solitude helped him focus. Besides, Celine’s brother had originally brought him into the gang because of his skills with bikes. As he checked the bike’s gears, a soft yet confident voice caught him off guard. "Mind if I ride with you?" He turned, ready to brush her off like he did with most girls who tried t

  • BAD HEROINES   6. Just In Time

    He was walking down a dimlight alley as he made his way towards his apartment. Most nights, he had taken this same route, hopping to catch a glimpe of a mysterious woman he had dropped off here. Thoughts of the mysterious woman he had encountered before lingered in his mind. But for two days, she had not shown up. That should have brought relief but only served to deepen his unease. The card she had given him, just a hotel address, was a distant memory now and wondered if she toyed with him. As he turned a corner, a powerful hand shot out of the shadows, grabbing his collar and throwing him violently to the ground. He tried to make sense of what happened, and he blinked up at the figure looming over him. His forehead wrinkled as his eyes focused on the heavyset man, a menacing beast tattoo marking his bald head like a brand. Recognition hit Lian's eyes. "Jake." He cursed his luck under his breath."Why is it so hard to leave the past behind?" He groaned, pushing himself up. The

  • BAD HEROINES   7. She Was Dangerous

    The rider, clad in a sleek black jumpsuit and reflective helmet, moved with the assured grace of someone who knew she was in control. Even without seeing her face, Lian could sense it—it was a woman. One look at the customized bike and the way she dressed, he had a good guess who it might be. He smiled faintly, though wariness lingered behind his eyes. The woman reached out, handing him a spare helmet without a word. A flicker of recognition sparked within him, and without hesitation, he grabbed it, slipping it on before hopping behind her. She revved the engine, and the bike shot forward, leaving Jake and his men scrambling to their car, cursing as they tried in vain to catch up. Within seconds, the city blurred around them as she wove through traffic effortlessly, the wind whipping past them. By the time they reached the outskirts, Jake and his crew were nothing more than a memory. The bike skidded to a stop outside a quiet restaurant, and Lian dismounted, still reeling from

  • BAD HEROINES   8. She Won't Hide

    She moved cautiously down the narrow corridor, her footsteps nearly silent under the dim, flickering lights. She passed door after door, the numbers blurring until she reached the one she sought—304. Sliding the key card before entering. The door closed behind her with a quiet click, sealing her in the stillness of the room. The moment she pocketed the card, her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down at the screen. An unknown number. Without a second thought, she tossed the phone onto the table, hoping to ignore whatever it was. Ever since she survived the poison, she had lived on the edge, wary of every step she took. The how and why of it gnawed at her constantly. She hadn't found the culprit, didn't know how they slipped the poison into her life, or what twisted motive lay behind the attack. But then the phone buzzed again. This time, a message. 'You won’t hide forever, Lin Lijun. They will know about you' Lijun’s heart stuttered. Her fingers tightened around the phone

  • BAD HEROINES   9. The Betrayer

    Her eyes fluttered briefly before snapping open, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She scanned the unfamiliar room, her gaze locking onto the IV tube attached to her hand. She was in a hospital gown. The last thing she remembered was being in that hotel room—a trap, she realized now, expertly set. Her brow furrowed. Whoever was behind it hadn’t wanted to kill her right away. They wanted her alive for something worse. But who was it? The thought gnawed at her, an uneasy feeling tightening in her chest. She wasn’t afraid of him but the uncertainty unsettled her. She had to leave. Now. She tried to move but a sharp pain shot through her stomach, forcing a grimace. Pulling the gown aside, she saw the bandage. Of course, she thought. But if she fell into that man’s hands, this wound would be the least of her concerns. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself out of bed. She pulled the IV as she sat up, blood dripping to the floor. She ignored it, staggering toward the window, one hand

  • BAD HEROINES   10. Scared Of Her

    The next day, the nurse came in to check on Lijun. After checking on her, she nodded to herself and stepped out. As she closed the door behind her, she stopped, startled by the sight of a girl standing there, staring blankly at the door. The girl looked young, maybe sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a school uniform, with short bobbed hair and blunt bangs. There was something unnerving about her—an unsettling stillness that made the nurse unease. If Lijun had seemed strange, this girl felt like something entirely different. “How is she?” the girl asked, her voice flat, devoid of any warmth. The nurse hesitated, unsure how much she should say, but the girl turned her head slightly, her eyes cutting into her. “She’s my sister.” “Oh—uh, yes, you can see her,” the nurse stammered. “She’s doing well.” Without another word, the girl turned toward the door and opened it, stepping inside without even a glance back at the nurse. The girl, Evelyn Lin, stood just inside the room, her pale

Latest Chapter

  • 30. The Only Way

    Lijun took a step back, still clutching a shard of glass, her eyes sharp and deadly. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” she said, voice chilling. “Threatening me was your first mistake. Thinking you could manipulate me was your second.”When she smashed the bottle over his head, she acted on pure instinct, her anger flared that it drowned out all thought. The fury of being manipulated, his threats, ignited something deep within her.But as the glass shattered, realization set in, and her heart hammered in her chest. She knew she screwed herself. There would be no easy escape now. If she was going to get out of this alive, she’d have to fight—and that meant taking on the entire camp?“Now it’s your turn to pay. For every drop of blood of my comrades, and this …" He showed his three fingers. Her grip tightened. Those words confirmed her thoughts, no way without a fight. Since was the case, she should do everything she could. Her eyes glinted as she stared at Andrew, who made

  • 29. Time For Payment

    The room fell silent as Andrew uttered the name. Every pair of eyes turned to her, widening in shock. He descended the stairs quickly, his gaze locked on her. When he stopped, just a few steps away, he looked her over with a strange, almost intensity gaze.What the hell is going on…Andrew spread his arms with a crooked grin. “Well, well, well. Are you all seeing this? The infamous ‘Scupper’ herself! Terrorist, fugitive... my idol!” He pointed at her with a hand missing two fingers. “Please, have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.”Lijun stiffened. If she had to choose between getting beheaded or dealing with this, both would be a nightmare. She stole a glance at Lian; he was pale, his jaw clenched. He wasn’t just frightened; he hated this situation as much as she did.They were led to a room where they sat across from Andrew, who lounged with a smug, while a woman brought food and liquor to the table. He studied her as if he had the upper hand, savouring every moment of her discomf

  • 28. I'm Not Her

    They remained outside, catching their breath after the fight. Lijun leaned against a tree, watching Lian as he tried to pick up his knife, his hands trembling. She noticed something strange—despite his injuries, he showed no sign of pain, as if his body was numb.She moved toward him, wanting to inspect the damage she’d caused to his hand. She needed him alive; whatever their current situation, he was still useful. She knew the same men from earlier might return, so she had to patch him up quickly before they left. But as she drew closer, Lian’s sharp gaze stopped her.Ignoring his silent warning, she stepped closer and crouched beside him. "Don’t trouble yourself. Honestly, I’m not looking forward to playing nurse here."His dark eyes deepened, studying her in silence.Despite their hostility, Lijun realized that Lian wasn’t a bad person, not really—not the way he wanted her to see him. Even though he clearly wanted something from her, he could have abandoned her. She was nothing

  • 27. Hatred And Mistrust

    The tension between them simmered, thick as she narrowed her eyes at him."What? Go to the village?" she spat, her voice cutting through the silence. "Are you out of your mind?"Lian arched a brow, clearly unimpressed by her tone. "You want to stay hidden here forever? I thought you were smarter than that."For three days, they'd been holed up in that abandoned shack, each day stretching longer as they tried to ignore the trouble looming just beyond those thin walls. She barely knew him—this man who seemed to know far too much about her, who claimed he wanted to help her regain her memories and find someone.His proposal seemed absurd. The village was no place for her, not with her face practically branded as a target. He might have a chance there, but she wouldn’t. He still didn’t understand that, and his stubbornness grated at her."The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll reach before sunset," he arguedShe scoffed. "And I suppose you'll carry me all the way there?" She folded her ar

  • 26. A Good Person

    When Lijun jumped, she wasn’t sure she would survive—and truthfully, she didn’t want to. Since the day she’d awakened with no memory and the world’s hateful eyes on her, thoughts of death had become a haunting comfort. But dying was about escaping; she wanted them to think she was gone while she hid, somewhere, still breathing, beyond their reach.When she opened her eyes to find herself not submerged in water, her thoughts returned immediately to Celine’s brother, and she jolted upright from the bed. For reasons she couldn’t explain, that man haunted her. The room around her was worn, built from rough wood and clearly neglected.Nearby, a figure lay on the floor, back turned to her. Her eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring. It couldn’t be him—could it? Whoever he was, he had to be the one who dragged her from the lake.“Why don’t you leave me alone!” she burst out, her voice with frustration.The man stirred, and his voice replied coldly, “You don’t deserve to die… nor live.” As he sat

  • 25. Deep Grave

    That evening, Rochelle drove up to Evelyn’s mansion. Though Evelyn had never given her the address, Rochelle had her ways. After all, if she could track down the most elusive criminals, finding one young woman’s home wasn’t exactly a challenge.She wasn’t expecting Lijun to be here, and Rochelle had come for a different reason. However, she had many reasons to believe Evelyn was hiding something valuable.Dialing the house number, Rochelle listened as the phone rang unanswered. She narrowed her eyes, gaze fixed on the mansion. Though the curtains were drawn, the lights on inside suggested Evelyn was home.Rochelle tried again, bracing herself. If Evelyn didn’t answer, she'd take it as a sign of trouble—and barge right in.Finally, Evelyn picked up. Rochelle kept her tone light, though her gaze was steely. “I’ve been outside your place forever. Care to let me in? It's freezing out here.”Silence followed, and Rochelle waited, expecting Evelyn to rush to open the gate. Instead, the dela

  • 24. Unexpected Visitor

    Evelyn arrived in front of her opulent two-story house in her stunning sports car, the engine purring as she parked in the driveway. Just as she made her way towards the entrance, the house came alive with light, causing her to freeze mid-step. Aside from the occasional maids who came and went during the day, she was the sole occupant of the residence. Her home was equipped with a high-tech security system with its unique codes, which was supposed to be known by only her. Noticing a strange situation, a sudden jolt of unease crept in her, Furrowing her brow, she retrieved her iPad and quickly accessed the security footage of her home. After scanning through several clips, she paused, her attention narrowing on one particular frame. There was something unsettling in the footage that demanded her full concentration. On the screen, a woman with brown skin lounged in a cozy living room, casually waving at the camera. She tightened her grip on her phone, suddenly feeling a wave of un

  • 23. Finding Her

    Down the hall, Evelyn moved confidently through a line of officers who glanced at her with frowns, clearly puzzled by her presence. She was young, barely an adult, and to them, looked out of place at a crime scene. They exchanged skeptical glances, but she ignored their stares, focused on her mission. Her eyes locked on the empty bed, and her heart dropped—Lijun was gone. Beside the bed stood a doctor and a middle-aged woman with short, ear-length hair, dark strands falling over half of her face. Her beauty was striking, but what caught Evelyns attention was her aura: cold, detached, and intimidating. She recognized her instantly as a detective from China, sent here to retrieve Lijun. This woman was the type who wouldn’t hesitate to act if necessary, and she knew better than to provoke her. Their eyes met, and Evelyn emotionless asked “Where’s Rochelle?” One of the officers tilted his head, seemingly trying to size her up. When it became clear they weren’t going to answer, She le

  • 22. The Conditions

    She took a slow, steady breath, her gaze drifting out over the dark water that stretched endlessly around the boat. Was this not proof enough for her situation? He intended to kill her, and no one would know. If she didn't find a way out, no one would. Five mascular men stood on the deck, arms crossed, watching indifferently as she was brought by Lian. Then he put her on the chair. She sat up, lifting her gaze to stare across the deck where Japser stood, silhouetted against the moonlight. A cold resolve settled over her. 'Fine,' She thought clenched her fists. 'If I'm the one with what you want, then you will be talking business with me. Unless you're ready to kill me and lose her in the process,' Leaning back in her chair, she fixed her eyes on him. Her voice was smooth and mocking. "You care about her, don’t you? Let’s see just how far you're willing to go. " Her words made everyone froze. They almost forgot who were dealing with due to her weakling body. But for Japser was

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on MegaNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
Scan code to read on App