Cold air escapes my nostrils as I crawl towards the wide open door.

In just a few more minutes I'll be a free woman, but only if I can make it out of this building. 

Outside stands my only chance of escape, as men surround the building, gnashing their teeth, eagerly waiting for me to make it out, as it stands they have no right to act on another mafia's territory.

Bang! Bang!! Bang!!!

~Ah~

At the sound of the gunfire, I bury my face in between my arms and kiss the floor. Despite the winter cold, cold sweat still drips from my face as I struggle.

Another man is down it seems, my vision becomes blurry as hot tears stream down my face.

To hell with that monster. How can he kill so many people for nothing?

I mean doesn't he have a heart, all they are guilty of is saving me, they didn't deserve to die, and certainly not in such a horrible manner. 

Still, I don't want to go back there, not to the home of that monster, where I am not even allowed to cross the door, nor look outside the window.

If I return to him, all that awaits me is hell coupled with days of loneliness and longing for escape. 

Please someone save me from this monster. 

I can hear the sound of his footsteps grow nearer as he approaches me, if I don't leave here by the time he reaches I'm done for.

Shaken, I bottle up the little strength I have left and try to stand up. The first step ends up successful, but the moment I take a step forward my legs start to wobble like spaghetti and I fall to the ground once again.

No, not now, please don't fail me now. 

The exit isn't far away, we have to get up. 

 "Where are you going?" I hear the devilish voice say from behind me.

My body shakes as if I've been electrocuted, stricken with paralysis I froze, and my crying only intensifies as I realize that my body has begun to fail me. 

"Why are you running away from me, I am not at the door, am I?" He asks.

What do I do now? 

I don't want to go back to him, I want to leave this country, and him behind. 

My family, my husband and children, I want to be with them, so please work.

Again I summon strength, but this time I give up on walking and crawl my way out, however, the closer I crawl to the door the closer the footsteps grow. 

His pace increases, and before I know it, he's right before me, with a face that I should be making. How dare he look so sad and wronged instead of me?

 "Helio, let me go please, the debt has been settled," I beg him.

He squats down before me, with a blood-stained face, his hand stretches towards me and once he reaches me, he grabs and hugs me tightly. 

 "But, I didn't accept it, because that's not what I want, what I want is you, so please, don't leave me.'' No, this isn't what I want, it isn't supposed to be like this. 

 "Helio, I have a family," I beg him. 

Suddenly I feel his arms around me squeeze tightly. "But that's not fair, I was first in line, I asked for your hand first but you tricked me. Do you despise me so much that you rather fake your death?"

Just like I could not give him an answer, I find no opening in his embrace, but then I feel cold teardrops sink into my shoulder. 

Was he crying? 

Why would he be crying? 

"Please don't leave me, you're the only one I have, Becca." His plea follows with tears, his tears leave me frustrated that I join him and cry my eyes out. 

I'm at a loss for words, my fourth attempt to escape has also failed me. I'm tired of this cat and dog chase.

While I cry out, I hear footsteps marching inside. 

Leading the reinforcement is a new friend who happens to be hiding my family and me for nearly four months and Helio's enemy. 

"Let her go?" He orders sharply.

However, things are always easier said than done. 

Even at this moment with Helio cornered, he refuses to let go. 

Woah!

I feel my arm being pulled towards the enemy as he shields me from Helio who looks at his empty arms with great detest. 

In that small minute of freedom, I stick my head on cloud nine when another group rushes in, one look and I could tell that they belong to Helio. If this goes on everyone will die like before. 

Nervous, I pull his shirt and shake my head in disapproval, and then I heard Helio's devious laughter. 

 "Alright then. Since that's how it is." Helio says as he slowly stands up with a smirk, staggering as he steps backwards.

"How about we let her choose." His troops raise their gun and point towards the opposing team, and the rescue team also raises their guns. 

Damnit, he isn't letting me choose, he's letting my conscience be the judge. 

I chomp on my fingers nervously as I catch a side glance of Helio's wicked smirk.

Oh, Helio you devil. You know me too well.