"Fuck!" I cursed as I dashed to my car. Sweat started coating my forehead. I uttered prayers as I drove fast on the highway. My heart pounded in angst and fear.
"Helena...," I whispered. "Why are you doing this?"
"Focus, Brad! Focus," I told myself when my brain began flashing heartbreaking situations.
"Sheryl, where's Helena?" I asked as soon as my sister answered my call.
"She already went home. What's going on?" she asked worriedly. She probably got a hint from the urgency of my voice.
"What time did she go home?" I asked, ignoring her question.
Sheryl sighed then answered, "Around 2 pm. Ate Arabella asked her to stay but she said she was unwell. She did look pale."
"Alright, thanks," I ended.
The message kept popping into my mind no matter how I tried to uplift my optimism.
"I am sorry, Brad. But I can't live with this anymore. I love you. I do. But I can't fool you nor myself nor anyone. I just can't imagine myself being stuck in a relationship. I am sorry." ~ Helena~
"Helena!" I yelled as soon as I arrived home. No answer. I sprinted to our bedroom but she wasn't there. Her things were still there--- her clothes, shoes, bags, and other stuff she owned. I felt relieved.
"What if she left only with her passport? She can go to her father in Amsterdam, or to New York," my pessimism attacked. My heart was pounding as my shaky hands struggled to open her personal drawer where she kept her passport and other valuable things. When I successfully opened it, my heart sank. It was--- empty!
I tried calling her but she was out of reach. "BULLSHIT! Helena, why are you doing this to me?!" I cried as I searched the room for more clues.
Just as I hopped into my car, there was a call from an unregistered number. I ignored it. I was too distraught to know who the caller was but my phone kept ringing.
Then I thought, maybe it's Helena or maybe someone who knew where she was, so I answered.
"Who's this?"
"Brad... it's Amanda. I am sorry for calling you now, but I think I need to tell you something about Helena," she said. I didn't believe her but any information linked with Helena was precious.
"I'm listening," I said.
"It's not something I can tell you, something I can show you," she replied. I was torn. Should I believe her?
In the end, I found myself standing in front of a two-story motel on the south coast of the city. It's near a pier where some fishing boats were docked. It's already half past four and people began flocking the restaurant next to the motel.
There was a jovial atmosphere as customers happily dined on tables set on the antediluvian cobblestone ground outside the restaurant facing the sea.
I turned towards the sea and a beautiful array of colors painted the horizon. The view was spectacular that I suddenly remembered Helena.
"Shit!" I cursed, reminding myself why I was there. I am still waiting for Amanda and she hadn't called yet.
"You'd better not mess with me Amanda," my mind grunted as my eyes searched the area. No sight of Amanda or Helena. I was about to call her when my phone rang--- it's Amanda!
"Where are you?!" I asked impatiently.
"Impatient as always," she replied. Then I heard her giggle. "Don't you even dare to call the police or your brothers if you still want to see your beloved Helena." My blood rushed in fury upon realizing the scenario.
"What did you do to her?!" I yelled, getting some attention from the people around, customers and bystanders alike. Some even glanced as if I was mad but I didn't care. "If you harm her, you'll regret it!" I groaned.
Her cackle was deafening that I pulled my phone away from my ears. "Oh, Brad! I didn't know you're such a funny guy. You can be a comedian, along with your idiot friends!" she mocked. "So, how do you want me to torture Helena? I have here some poison, some nail clippers, and... oh! I have a hammer too!"
Every time she spoke, I lost my self-control so as to my logical thinking. But I had to stay sane if I wanted to see Helena. I paid attention to the sounds. I closed my eyes and listened carefully.
"Where is she?" I asked, now with a softer tone. "Please, Amanda. Tell me where I can find her. I'll do everything you want, just don't harm her. Please!"
She laughed maniacally. I heard echoes of her laughter. I could hear the rush of the sea. Every time strong waves kissed the shore, I heard metals clang. Could it be the--- pier!
"Turn to your left," Amanda commanded. I did and I was right. She was standing on the boardwalk some half kilometers away from me. It was easy to spot her as she was wearing the same red jumpsuit.
I started to walk towards her but she suddenly snarled, "No. No. Don't take another step! One more step and I will blow her up!"
She laughed as she raised her hand. My head throbbed when the memories came flashing in my mind. And the familiar anxiety crept into my heart. I froze. "That's right!" she whispered. "Now, follow everything I say. Go to the third room in that motel and get the red box I hid under the bed. I'll give you 30 minutes to get it and bring it here."
After talking to the receptionist, she gave me a spare key to room three and I immediately went to the room only to be shocked by the appalling sight. My eyes wandered through the room in disbelief.
There was a picture of me in every corner of the room. Photos that were taken in different places and time. Chill ran through my spine when right up the ceiling above her bed were photos of Helena. Some were solo shots, some were with Arabella and Sheryl in Luke's mansion.
But the most chilling of all was a photo of me and Helena after the engagement. Helena's face was severed and a big red 'X' mark was drawn over her with a note: "Death comes to those who dare loves him!"
My stomach churned in extreme fear and worry. Apparently, she's been plotting this for a long time. Then, I was startled when my phone rang.
"Do you like my present?" she hissed.
"What the hell is this?!" I muttered.
She chuckled. "Oh well... seems like you haven't found it yet! Get it and tell me what you think about it," she exclaimed excitedly.
I took the red box which was bigger than a shoebox. I slowly removed the cover then my body shuddered when I saw a bloody human finger with Helena's engagement ring!