Before Chaos

After slapping Joshua on the cheek, which caused a great commotion among the incredulous onlookers, Emanuele ran away.

Not back to Johnny's apartment, nor to Johnny himself, but to a place far away, unknown and empty, if she could find anything of the kind in such a populated and hectic city.

Yes, she knew she was angry. She knew she had gotten the dose wrong when she told Joshua that he remained in the role of victim by choice, probably sounding like Alexandra.

Although part of her brain pointed out that Joshua's reaction to calling her a coward and worthless was not in itself what he really thought, but rather a response to Emanuele's own verbal attack, the girl felt the cruel truth hitting her like a sharp arrow through the heart.

Seeing Thabata there, talking so calmly to Joshua, had disrupted any chance the girl had of not losing control. And how had he fallen for that nonsensical talk about change? Could it be that if she didn't come around and take her own course, the two of th