By

Emiliya Ahmadova

A PSYCHOLOGICAL thriller

This is a work of fiction with graphic content that depicts the horrors of human trafficking. All names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Library of Congress Control Number:2019919971

Copyright © 2019 by Emiliya Ahmadova.

All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 9781733698283

Illustrations inside of the book by IMarts

Illustrations copyright@ Emiliya Ahmadova

Publisher: Women's Voice Publishing House

17th December, 7 p.m.

The strong wind swirled the dust from the ground and swayed the tree branches. Rain showers quickly followed, making the roads muddy and dangerous. The accompanying thunder roared like a hungry lion in search of prey.

Father Piero sat in his living room, his gaze fixed on the television screen in front of him. What was on the news was far more important than the raging weather outside.

The reporter was saying, "With only a few days until New Year's, the murder rate continues to rise, promising to make this year one of the worst this island has ever seen. Another life was lost yesterday. A farmer discovered the partially burned body of a man of African descent near the Poreto forest. This most recent victim was bound to a tree. He was dressed casually in jeans and a blue t-shirt. He had no identification on him. The 491st murder victim of the year has yet to be identified by the police. WCB police station is requesting information from anyone who might know his identity.

"There is yet another case of domestic violence. An inebriated husband slashed his wife's hands with a cutlass, and she was rushed to the hospital. The woman is in stable condition but might never be able to use her hands again due to deep tissue damage."

A gust of wind blew into Father Piero's humble home, and rain slashed through his living room without warning. Lightning flashed across the firmament, lighting up his surroundings for a moment, particularly the section of the wall where a massive cross hung. Father concentrated on it and made the sign of the cross.

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Have mercy on our nation."

He then dashed to the window, slamming it shut. He looked out the window at the deserted street and across the street at his friend Miguel's two-story white house. Miguel had to leave his family alone while working night shifts, so Father Piero always kept an eye on his house, like a loyal watchdog ensuring his owners' safety.

Hmm. Miguel hasn't returned home yet. I told him to switch from night shifts to day shifts. But then he'd have to put an end to his nighttime adventures! Which he flatly refuses to do.

A lightning strike illuminated the sky once more. Father Piero's keen eyes noticed dark shadows moving through the sky. His brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to figure out what those dark masses were. Shivers swept over his body.

Why am I feeling as if something weird is going to happen? I do not like this peculiar sensation at all!

He flinched nervously, crossed himself again, and closed the curtains. Then he sank back into his armchair.

Sheila, Miguel's wife, sat on the bed while her two children snuggled under the sheet in her spacious cream-colored bedroom. She was reading "The Brave Mouse" to them.

"And the brave mouse lived happily ever after," Sheila said as she placed the book on the bedside table.

Thunder clapped and echoed in her bedroom, sending shudders into six-year-old Nadia's body. She seized her brother's hand.

"Mummy, I'm afraid. Come lie next to me," Nadia said, flinching her body.

"What have you got to fear, Princess?" Sheila inquired, her face lit up with a smile.

"Thunder. It makes a frightening and eerie sound."

Her mother brushed her daughter's hair.

"There's nothing frightening about it. It's nothing more than a hollow sound."

"Why is Daddy taking so long to get home, Mummy?" Ronnel, a ten-year-old boy, inquired. With his short stature and slim figure, he could pass for a seven-year-old.

Sheila looked at her watch. "His night shift hasn't finished yet."

She took her phone from the bedside table and tried to call him, but his phone just rang and rang.

Why isn't he answering? He sure has been behaving oddly lately.

Ronnel's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"He had never worked so late before. Now he comes home after we've gone to bed."

She leaned in close and ruffled his short black hair.

"Nosy parker. He used to work in the mornings, but now he works in the evenings."

She switched off the ceiling light but left the wall light above the bed on. Then she lay down on the bed between her children.

"It's getting late. So just close your eyes and try to sleep."

Nadia wrapped her arms around Sheila and rested her head on her chest. She then lifted it and turned to face her mother.

"Can you please read another story, Mummy?"

"No, no, no! Put your head down and sleep."

Nadia closed her eyes. Sheila cuddled her and they lay silently together till they all fell asleep.

Miguel left the police station at 4 a.m., feeling ill, and slowly drove his Mercedes-Benz home. He had intended to visit his usual hangout after work, but the stomach bug stopped his plans. He rubbed his stomach with one hand as he drove.

No, boy, I can't go there like this.

His eyes kept closing, and he fought to stay awake, trying to focus on the road ahead of him.

I shouldn't have eaten peppery doubles.

When he looked in his rearview mirror, he noticed a speeding jet-black cargo van approaching from behind him. Its windows were heavily tinted, concealing both the driver and the passengers.

Miguel pressed the door's lock button. Then he reached into the storage compartment and touched his pistol.

I should stop that car and issue a speeding ticket.

On the left side of the road, a cargo van attempted to pass him. Miguel stepped on the gas and swerved into the left lane, landing directly in front of the van. The driver of the van slowed and changed lanes. Both cars came to a complete stop in front of the traffic light.

"Hey, boy! Are you rushing for a date with a hot chick?" Miguel exclaimed, trying to catch a glimpse of the driver.

When the light turned green, Miguel turned left, drove between some houses, and parked in front of his gate. His cell phone fell on the wet asphalt and rolled under the car as he got out of the driver's seat.

"Shit!"

He knelt beneath the Benz and picked up the cell.

The van came to a halt five houses away from Miguel's. The two passengers got out of the van and looked around cautiously. They were wearing masks and black gloves.

One of them was Candice, also known as Candy, and the other was Leroy. He was better known as Cyclops since he had lost an eye and now wore an artificial one. They had Beretta 9mm pistols and 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition with them.

The Cyclops, who was tall and slender, pointed to Miguel.

"Let's go get him before anyone notices us," he added.

Errol, who was known as Kingpin, stayed inside the van. He rubbed his beard before rolling down the window.

"Remember, we need her alive and unhurt!" he said.

"What about Miguel and his scumbags?" Cyclops was perplexed.

"You gonna kill dem all. It's payback time."

"No! You promised me you wouldn't touch Miguel," Candy said as she adjusted the mask on her face.

"Because of him, my brother was imprisoned, and we lost millions. The police should understand that they cannot pry their noses into our affairs."

Kingpin hit the steering wheel, and when he did, a white plated-gold, skull ring encrusted with diamonds caught Candy's attention.

"No bossman , buh yuh..," protested Candy.

Kingpin grabbed her hand and squeezed it hard.

"Whey yuh say?"

"Aye-yah-yie dat huttin! " said Candy.

"I will not put up with your slackness. You had better use your brain. It got rusty!"

"It won't happen again!" she exclaimed.

He freed her hand. Kingpin paused for a second, his hand on his chin.

"Leave him alive but slaughter his children and burn down his house in front of him. Let him stand outside and see his house being destroyed. His life will be meaningless after that."

I will exterminate him like a cockroach later.

"Hey, don't forget this!"

Cyclops was handed a plastic bag containing a soaking-wet rag by Kingpin.

Miguel pushed his gate open and dashed towards the door, soaked to the skin. He searched his pockets for his keys, but they were nowhere to be found.

I could have left them in the office.

He rang the doorbell incessantly.

"He's now standing by the door. Get him!" said Kingpin.

Cyclops dashed toward Miguel's house and entered his yard.

Kingpin took a black bag from the passenger seat and handed it to Candy through the window.

"Take it and run! Don't make any stupid decisions."

Candy grabbed bag and dashed away. Kingpin leaned back in his seat as he rolled up the window.

These two chupidy have no brains at all. When all of this done, I will get rid of them as well, especially her. She's getting too soft.

In the midst of his sprint, Cyclops yanked the rag from its plastic bag. He slipped into the yard and snuck up on Miguel in the shadows. He wrapped his right hand around Miguel's throat and tried to put the rag on his nose.

Miguel hit Cyclops with his elbow as he tried to turn around. However, as Cyclops' grip tightened around his throat, Miguel began choking. With both hands, Miguel clutched at the hand that was taking the life out of him, which allowed Cyclops to put the chloroform-soaked rag over Miguel's nose. With all his might, Miguel kept trying to pull Cyclops' hand away from his throat.

Miguel blacked out. The thug dropped him on the ground by the door. Candy ran up to them, out of breath.

"Is he okay?"

"Stop worrying about dat, gyal, and focus on finishing de work or dey guh kill we."

Cyclops rang the doorbell as his accomplice's eyes darted over at the neighbors' windows.

"Damn it, I'm soaking!" she said loudly.

"Yuh dotish, awa? Someone might hear you," whispered Cyclops. Candy noticed that his hands were shaking.

The doorbell chimed impatiently, filling the whole house with its disturbing noise. Ronnel opened his eyes and lay staring at the ceiling for a moment. Nadia sat up and looked over at the bedroom's door, her eyebrows raised. Then her attention shifted to her mother.

"Mummy, Mummy, get up! Daddy came!" Nadia said as she shook her mother's hand.

Ronnel got out of bed, and Sheila opened her eyes.

"What happened?"

"The doorbell is ringing," Ronnel said.

Sheila jumped up and dashed out of the room. She noticed her children following her as she approached the stairs.

"Go back to your rooms!" she exclaimed.

She hurried to open the door for her husband and left them on the top of the staircase.

Why can't he open the door himself? Is he drunk again?

Ronnel glanced at his sister.

"Go to your room!" he told her.

"I don't want to be by myself. Lightning could enter my room and burn me," Nadia said.

"You're a fool. Lightning cannot burn you."

Nadia took Ronnel's hand in hers. "Let's go," she suggested.

The kids went back to their parents' room instead of their own. They snuck under the sheet on the bed, hoping that their parents would not force them to leave.

Sheila opened the front door without checking through the peephole. Cyclops dashed inside before she could react. Sheila yelled and dashed for the stairs.

"Help!"

He grabbed her hair as she grasped the stairwell railings and was about to take the first step.

"Help me, help!" she screamed. The lightning struck once more.

"Ah chut!"

Her pleas for help rang out in the children's ears. They jumped off the bed quickly but were frozen in fear. It was as if they were glued to the floor. Their gaze swept the room, looking for a hiding place. Then, both ran to hide behind the curtain.

Cyclops yanked back on Sheila's hair, forcing her to take a few steps back.

"If you say another word, I'll bust your brain to pieces," he said, pointing the Beretta at her head. He cast a quick glance toward the kitchen's entrance.

His accomplice walked into the corridor, carrying a black duffel bag. She threw it on the floor.

"Why did you leave him outside?" she asked in a shaky voice. "Someone might notice him."

"Drag him inside and tie he hands," said Cyclops.

"Move yuh ass to de kitchen!" he ordered his captive, pushing her roughly. She dragged her legs to the kitchen, shaking like a leaf and ready to collapse at any moment.

"Sit on dat stool!" he ordered.

She turned to face him and, with pleading eyes, touched his hand.

"Please take whatever you wish and go," she said.

He pushed her hand away, avoiding eye contact. She could smell the odor of alcohol emanating from him. The scent was so strong that she felt dizzy.

"Listen, you woman. Doh make dis ting hard fuh yuhself. Glue yuhself to dat stool and hush yuh mouth!"

Quivering, Sheila quietly dropped down on the stool.

Upstairs behind the curtain, Nadia wet herself. Her knees quivered uncontrollably. She embraced her brother tightly.

"Why is Mummy shouting?" whispered Nadia. Her teeth chattered.

"Lip-seal your mouth. They're going to hear you," he replied in hushed tones.

The boy grabbed his sister's wrist and drew her into the closet. He shoved her deep within, behind the clothes. He tiptoed to the door, trembling.

"Please don't leave me alone here," she begged.

Ronnel returned his gaze to the closet and placed his finger on his lips. Sweat beads rolled down his brow.

"Stop talking! Dey guh find we."

Candy dragged Miguel through the door and dumped him in the corridor. Her hands shook as she locked her gaze on him, and her heart skipped a few beats. She shook her head and walked over to close the door.

She took some ropes from her bag and tied Miguel's hands behind his back before tying his legs together. After that, she stood and silently observed his chest rising and falling. She blinked away her tears.

"I know you don't deserve this. But I have to follow orders, or they'll kill me," she said.

Cyclops walked up to the window and peered out. Then his attention was drawn to Sheila. He approached her with his weapon aiming at her head.

"No! No, please! Let us go!" Sheila begged him, staring into his fiery eyes.

"Allyuh women doh understand de simple instructions."

"My husband will pay you handsomely."

"Shut yuh mouth gyal !"

"Why is this happening to us?" she asked, her eyes welling up with tears. Her glance darted around the room.

What should I do? The kids are still upstairs. Think, girl! They're going to kill us all if I don't intervene!

Her attention was drawn to the knife on the counter. The rain continued to pound on the window, making it difficult to hear what was going on inside the kitchen.

Get up, gyal, and get dat knife. Either dem or yuh family.

The dogs next door began barking loudly. Cyclops rushed up to the window. As he gazed into the darkness, his curious eyes darted from side to side.

"What de ass? These dogs are going to wake up the people."

Sheila stood up, feeling every beat of her rushing heart. Everything seemed to revolve around her. She moved slowly to the counter, biting her lower lip. She grabbed the knife and dashed toward the intruder. She slashed the weapon down with all her might.

Cyclops spun around as he felt a sharp pain in his upper arm. Sheila let go of the knife and backed up, her gaze fixed on him. He yanked the knife from his arm with a painful grimace. He glanced at his blood-splattered t-shirt. Some of it splashed on the tiled floor.

Sheila's eyes widened as cold sweat beaded on her skin. She was backed up against a cupboard with nowhere to go.

"I... I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."

Cyclops swooped across the room like a tornado, brandishing the bloody knife at her. She closed her eyes and prepared to scream.

"Damn you. You gonna pay for this!"

He snatched her hair and yanked her away from the cupboard.

"I doh like harden women."

"Please, no, no, no!" she begged.

He held the knife to her neck and cut off a fistful of her hair. It landed on the floor. Sheila's limbs began to shake, and her legs became so weak that she slid down.

He pulled her up, causing her to scream in agony.

"Please do not do this! Please don't leave my children motherless," she pleaded.

"Allyuh women are only causing bacchanal with allyuh ole talk. Keep your mouth shut."

A pistol butt hit Sheila on the head, causing a blinding flash of pain. She collapsed on the floor, yellow lights flashing before her eyes.

Candy knelt and pointed a handgun at Sheila's head.

"Boy, you cyah even handle one woman. I guh shoot she," she said.

"Buh wait nah gyal! Bossman wants she alive," said Cyclops.

"Fuh real? Me'en know."

Candy spat on Sheila and exited the room. Then she retrieved another rope from her bag and returned.

Sheila blinked her eyes open. "Oh, oh! Please, God, help us!" she prayed aloud.

"Tie she up and force she to stop talking. Otherwise, I will put an end to she life, " Candy stated, her gaze fixed on the lovely face of Sheila.

"You want she dead. So yuh cah have she…. "

Candy gazed coldly at his face.

"Hey, Cyclops, mind your own dang business before you lose your other eye!" she interjected.

"Who are you? What do you need from us?" groaned Sheila.

Cyclops tied Sheila's hands behind her back. He retrieved a roll of masking tape from his pocket and taped her mouth shut while she continued to whisper, "No. no, no..."

Miguel opened his eyes slightly and raised his head. He gazed around, his body stiff.

"What's happening?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his wife, in the kitchen surrounded by intruders. Her husband's face reddened.

I will kill them all if a hair falls from her head.

He turned his hands from side to side, loosening the rope enough to pull out his left hand, thus freeing himself. Then he kicked the rope from his legs. The vein in his temple throbbed.

He shot his gaze up the stairs. His son stood by the slightly open door, staring at him and shaking uncontrollably.

"Go and hide," Miguel said in a low voice.

A tear streamed down Ronnel's cheeks. Stepping away from the doorway, he glanced back at his dad.

As he made his way to the closet, his vision went fuzzy due to the tears he was shedding, and his foot accidentally kicked a toy fire engine. It started moving, and its siren could be heard ringing out across the entire house. Ronnel stood motionless for a few seconds as he watched his toy move across the room. His heart pounded, like if it were trying to exit his body.

They're going to find us!

He pulled himself together and dashed into the closet. His sister clutched him tightly.

"I heard Mummy. Why is she crying?"

"Be quiet, bad people in our house! They're going to come here now."

Ronnel's knees shook as he looked out at his toy car.

"Please stop making noise," he pleaded, unable to take his eyes from it.

"I want to go to Mummy," whispered his sister.

"No, you can't go. They'll hurt you."

Nadia hugged her brother tightly and closed her eyes as her teeth chattered.

Hearing the siren, Miguel began running upstairs. Candy ran out of the kitchen and shot at him, hitting his leg. Miguel lost his balance and fell on his knee. Candy grabbed onto Miguel's shirt and pulled him back to the door, leaving a trail of blood on the steps. Then she kicked his injured leg.

"Go upstairs and get dem!" shouted Cyclops from the kitchen.

As she started toward the stairs, Miguel struggled onto his feet and threw himself on her. She in turn lost her balance and fell on the steps. Miguel shot past her and up a few steps, as fast as his aching knee would let him.

Candy caught his leg and pulled it. Miguel collapsed on the step, hitting his face.

She stood up, rubbing her aching chin. "Yuh look fuh dat, " she whispered, afraid that he might recognize her voice.

Her companion in crime joined them. He directed a pistol to Miguel's head.

"Don't move!" he ordered.

Tremors shook Ronnel's hands when he heard Cyclops's voice.

"They're going to shoot Daddy, and then come for us," he said.

He pushed his sister under a shelf full of shoes and covered her with clothes. Then he left the closet and crawled under the bed.

Miguel's face and eyes reddened as Candy climbed the steps, a gun in her hand.

"You're not going to get away with this. The police will hunt you down if anything happens to us."

Father Piero slept off in front of the TV. His sleep was disrupted when his phone started ringing nonstop. He looked at his watch and made his way to the phone stand, irritated.

"Hmm. It's 4.40. a.m. Oh Lord, sometimes I do feel overwhelmed with all these late-night or early-morning calls. Don't they know that I need to sleep too?"

He picked up the phone. "Father Piero's residence."

At first, Father could only hear heavy breathing.

"Are you there?"

"Father Piero, I need your help."

As he spoke to the priest, Anil walked from one side of his room to the other. A video on the TV screen had been paused, and his gaze was drawn to it. A man and two naked women were the only people in the scene that had been frozen in time.

"Who's there?" When he heard Father Piero's tired voice, he refocused on the conversation.

"Even though I tried, it wouldn't let up!" Anil confessed.

His gaze was drawn to a photo of his wife and stepdaughter on the bedside table as he looked around the room.

Looking out of the window, Father Piero observed the outside world. He noticed a van parked in the driveway of his next-door neighbor's residence.

What…? I don't recognize that car.

"She's pregnant now," whispered Anil.

"Pardon me. What are you talking about?"

Anil tried to light his cigarette with a match but dropped it on the floor. He put the cigarette in an ashtray and sat on the bed, rubbing his neck.

"The feelings towards my 16-year-old stepdaughter grew day by day. She blossomed into a beautiful young gyal. I couldn't control my desire for she. I drugged she and then had sex with she."

"What?"

"Yesterday, I overheard she on the phone with another person. The baby she carries is mine. If dem find out its mine, she muddah guh report to de police. Me eh know what to do."

Father Piero squinted as he stared at the car. He noticed a silhouette of someone in the front seat.

Who would that be?

"Excuse me, what did you say?"

Anil scratched the back of his neck.

"I slept with my adolescent stepdaughter!"

"You should contact the police."

"No, jail is not fuh meh."

Lightning lit Anil's bedroom.

"She's a sexy ting with big tot tots . Oh boy, I tried to stay away from she. God is my witness. But whenever I try to conquer my desire, my thirst for she grows stronger."

Father Piero stared at Miguel's house. His gaze was drawn to the view outside the kitchen window. He saw two silhouettes through the curtains.

He isn't at home. Who is there?

"Faddah are yuh there? I am little bit tipsy . I am not thinking clearly."

Anil took a sip of rum from the glass. When he stretched his leg, it kicked the rum bottle that had been left on the floor. It rolled up against the wall.

Father Piero observed a shadow in Miguel's bedroom window. He squinted his eyes, trying to get a better view.

A silhouette of someone holding a pistol flashed across the window. When Father Piero saw the gun, he quickly moved away from his own window. He hung up the phone and began dialing Miguel's number.

Candy looked at the king-sized bed in Sheila's bedroom, which had maroon-colored silky bedding. She sat on it, resting her forearm on the bed's edge and running her hand over the smooth sheet. Candy then stretched out on the bed and crossed her legs.

In his hiding place under the bed, Ronnel breathed slowly, careful not to move a muscle.

Nadia peered through the small gap between the closet door's louvers at Candy. Her muscles tensed, and she could barely keep a scream of help from coming out.

"Hurry up, gyal!" shouted Cyclops.

Candy sat up and retrieved her pistol. When she got off the bed, her foot hit the truck and the siren came on again. She picked the toy up from the tiled floor and turned off the sound. Then she tossed it onto the bed.

"I doh know why dey doz make these cheap toys fuh children!"

"Did you find anyone?" shouted Cyclops.

"Nah, just a stupid truck that makes noise."

She walked towards the dressing table and touched Sheila's perfume. She sprayed herself with it, then dabbed some shiny lipstick on the part of her lips that weren't covered by the mask. Satisfied with her look, she then pulled out the drawers and searched inside of them. There were gold rings, bracelets, chains, and earrings. She put them all in her pocket except for the earrings, which she decided to wear.

These earrings will look better on me than she.

As she tried to put one on, it fell to the floor.

She bent and picked it up, and Ronnel noticed a tattoo of a snake on her hand.

The phone on the bedside table began to ring. She whirled and stared at it, motionless, eyes wide.

Cyclops heard the phone, but he was too busy wrapping a rope around Miguel's legs to stop its ringing. He rose and glared toward the upstairs.

"Do something about the phone!" he shouted.

Even though Miguel's lips were sealed with a strip of tape, he kept trying to shout.

Sheila's gaze jumped from Cyclops to the phone that was on the kitchen's counter. She got up and dashed toward it.

Leaving Miguel on the floor, Cyclops ran after her.

"Hey, go back to your seat! Yuh harden thing, but dey guh tame yuh," he said.

The phone stopped ringing and the answering machine came on.

"This is Miguel and Sheila Seegobin's residence. We are currently unavailable. Please leave a message and we will call you back."

"Miguel, this is Father Piero. I saw some movements in your house. Since you aren't answering, I'm going to call the police."

"Oh gosh, " Cyclops murmured. "Hey! Come downstairs right now!" shouted Cyclops.

Candy quickly ran down the stairs and into the kitchen. Cyclops stood by the window gazing outside.

"The police will be here soon. We have to leave," said Cyclops, turning towards Candy.

He dialed his cell phone with shaky hands.

"Someone has seen us. Drive up to the doorway. We're coming," he spoke.

He wrapped his hand around the back of Sheila's neck.

"Walk outside!"

They marched towards the hallway. As they passed Miguel, prone on the floor, Cyclops suddenly stopped, turned, and pointed his pistol toward Miguel's head.

Candy moved his hand away.

"What the hell are you doing? Leave he alone!"

Cyclops punched Miguel in the mouth and nose. His nose bled profusely. Candy swore at Cyclops, and then ran to the kitchen to get a rag.

The sight of her husband's injuries brought tears to Sheila's eyes. Her knees shook as she walked, and she was overcome with exhaustion. A cargo van was parked by her gate. Sheila stopped and tried to look back, but Cyclops pushed her forward.

"Shif' yuh ass, woman!

As they got closer to the van, Kingpin got out and opened the side door.

"What have you been doing for so long, sleeping?" he asked.

Cyclops let go of Sheila's hand and glanced at his boss.

"Woman was a pain in the neck."

Sheila punched Cyclops, hitting his artificial eye. It popped out of its socket and fell to the ground. She looked at his empty socket and then at the eye that had fallen at her feet.

Cyclops froze for a split second, which Sheila took advantage of.

"Help me!" she yelled as she dashed towards the neighbor's house.

Cyclops quickly recovered his eye and pursued her. He grabbed her blouse, and she drew herself forward to escape. Unfortunately, she tripped and fell face down. Cyclops quickly placed his foot on her back.

Kingpin stood silently by the car, watching Cyclops' every move.

Dotish!

"Where do you think you're going?" Cyclops asked.

He yanked her up and slapped her. He then dragged her into the van and forced her to lie down on the floor.

"How could you have let her get away from you?" enquired Kingpin.

Cyclops did not dare to look him in the eyes.

"She knocked out my eye, and I was perplexed."

Kingpin shook his head before opening the driver's side door. He sat down and took a syringe from a storage compartment.

Cyclops lowered the car seat and sat next to Sheila, pointing his gun at her. Sheila lay silently, her knees bent towards her belly, afraid to make a sound. Kingpin stared at her over the back of his seat. "Inject she with this."

Cyclops took the syringe from Kingpin. He knelt and took her hand in his. She kicked him, and he dropped the syringe. Before she could make another move, Cyclops grabbed the syringe and pressed it harder on her hand. He injected Sheila and freed her hand.

Almost immediately, Sheila began to feel drowsy and nauseous. Then she blacked out.

Kingpin's attention shifted to Cyclops' wound.

"What happened to your arm?" he asked.

"She stabbed me," said Cyclops.

"Why are you always running into chupidness? Is chupidness your middle name? Stay with she and don't mess my van with your blood."

Candy came up to the van.

"Where's the bag?" Kingpin asked.

"I forgot it in the house," she said.

"Yuh chupid or awa? You want to put police on our trail? Go and get it!" said Kingpin.

She ran back to the house.

Once inside, she found Miguel standing on the stairs and trying to walk up. She pushed him and he fell on the staircase. She picked the bag up and left the house.

Father Piero's hands trembled as he stood by the window seeing Sheila being kidnapped. He kept trying to call the police but was getting a busy tone. He watched as Candy got into the van and shut the door. It sped off.

Finally, a woman answered. "Lestra police station."

"I saw three people kidnapping my neighbor!" shouted the priest, his forehead sweating. "There are children in the house, and possibly a man!"

"Where are you calling from?"

"Lestra, 23 Pentecost Street. Please, hurry up!"

"Right now, we have no cars. As soon as we get one, we will send someone."

"Are you kidding? By the time the police show up, they'll be far away!"

Father Piero hung up the phone and ran out of his house.

Nadia, who was still hiding beneath the shelf, burst into tears.

"Where are you, Daddy? Please help me! It's hot in here."

Hearing her cries, Miguel removed the masking tape from his mouth and clutched the stair railings.

"Shit, that hurts!"

He drew himself up to a standing position, grimacing. He attempted to make a step but stumbled and landed on his knee. He pulled himself up again, leaving a blood trail on the stairwell.

"Nadia! Ronnel! Are you okay?" he shouted.

Nadia's sobs became more strident. Ronnel emerged from beneath the bed and dashed to the closet to retrieve his sister. He pushed the clothes aside.

"Come on out. They've gone."

"No! Those naughty people are going to take me away!"

Ronnel pulled her out. He embraced her and patted her on the back.

"They're no longer here."

Her tears kept falling like a waterfall. Her teeth chattered as she shivered.

"Where's Mummy?"

"I don't know."

"Son, pick up the phone and call Granny!" shouted Miguel.

Ronnel glanced at the door.

"Okay, okay. Don't cry." He hugged Nadia again. "We'll call Granny, okay?"

Ronnel walked towards the phone, his sister behind him. He dialed Granny's phone number.

"Daddy, come upstairs!" Nadia cried.

Father Piero hurried into Miguel's house. As he dashed in, he found Miguel standing on the steps. Father ran towards him, then stooped down and began untying him.

"Oh, my God! You've been wounded! You must go to the hospital," he said.

He freed Miguel's legs and hands.

"Who did this to you?"

"I have no idea."

Miguel hurried upstairs. He dashed into the bedroom and opened the door. Both children ran towards Miguel. Nadia buried her face in her father's embrace.

"Where is Mummy?" Nadia enquired through her sobs.

"She's..."

"Did they harm the children?" the priest inquired as he entered the bedroom.

Miguel exhaled a sigh of relief as he looked at his children. They didn't have a single scratch on them.

"They're shaken by this, but they're unhurt."

"I've called the police. They should arrive soon," said Father Piero.

Ronnel grabbed his father's hand.

"Daddy, did they take her away?"

Miguel caressed his son's head.

"We'll talk about it later," he said.

Nadia spotted the blood on her father's leg.

"You have a cut, Daddy."

Miguel squeaked out a grin. He placed her on the bed.

"You sit here. I need to tend to my wound."

Miguel hurried into the restroom. He removed a first-aid kit from the corner stand and examined his wound. The bullet was still in place. He took out a pair of tweezers and soaked them in medical alcohol. He pulled out the bullet.

They will regret it!

He then poured alcohol on his wound and dressed it while grimacing in agony.

Once the pain had receded a bit, he came out of the bathroom.

"I'm finished."

"You should deal with it as soon as possible."

"I will, Father Piero. As soon as I drop the kids off at my mother's house."

The priest patted Nadia's head.

"Keep them out of here until you figure out who did it," he said.

"Could you please stay and wait for the cops, Father Piero? I'll be back as soon as I take care of my wound," Miguel said.

"Of course, I'll stay and wait."

Miguel lifted Nadia. He grasped Ronnel's hand.

"All right, son, let's go."

He limped away, carrying his daughter and followed by his son. As they headed to the car, Ronnel spoke up.

"Daddy, she came upstairs and stole Mummy's jewelries."

Miguel opened the Benz's door, and the children clambered inside. He got in behind the steering wheel, then turned around to face them.

"Did you see her face, son?"

"No, Daddy. However, I noticed a snake drawing on her hand."

"Other than that, is there anything else I should know about?"

Ronnel raised his head, trying to recall what he had seen.

"She was wearing a mask. I was afraid she'd see me underneath the bed as she lay on your bed."

Tears streamed down his cheeks. He shook his head.

"I heard Mummy pleading for help, but I was too afraid to help her."

Nadia sat silently, looking at her brother. Then she burst out crying.

"I want to see my mother! Why did they take her?"

Miguel climbed into the back seat and hugged his children.

"Come on, calm down. You'll be seeing Mummy soon. I swear to you."

As the night faded away, the day became lighter, and the rain stopped. The three of them sat silently as Miguel drove to his mother's house, feeling the pain and recalling the events of the night. He then rushed to the hospital's emergency room. The wound was cleaned and stitched up.

Now came the hard part—returning to the scene of the crime.