Third Person Perspective
"Sir, we caught few suspicious people."
He was pissed as it is by his own foolishness for getting drugged that easily thinking Harris would have no intentions behind her invitation to celebrate the success of their project.
Who knew Leah got caught up in between the schemes.
Grey had caught a particular guy dressed as a janitor and trying to escape from the annex but unfortunate for the spy, he fell right into the territory of the back up securities.
He was pushed down to the ground and knocked out by hitting the back of his spine before his hands could even reach out to his taser. Rest of the crews were found out earlier beforehand and left.
For now, he had been hung upside down and showed no hint of waking up any time soon. The two others were also in the same condition as him.
Haze would calmly take his sit and signed the others to 'wake' the impudent piece of shit from his good night nap. If he were to handle that guy he would good as dead so let his boys to handle him for his sake for interogation.
By waking him up, it was not a simple slap across the cheek but a brutal fist collision with his face, bruising and splashing blood from his mouth.
The man regained his consciousness only to find the world turned around guy he desperately tried to avoid all his life knowing he was going to die if he crossed path with him.
"I'll give you two option. Speak and go home jail with one of your limbs severed." Grey pulled out the tongue puller from the hanger.
"Or.... rot in the dungeon for the rest of your life, slowly become a fodder for the wolves, then cut off each finger once every month and then your limbs until you are finally left without a trying to sever. Perhaps you prefer to eat their fleshes? They say eye balls taste the best." He grabbed handful of the chopped off pieces of human fleshes.
At first, he looked determined not to speak anything but soon after Grey started dipping his head underwater and drown him for minutes before pulling him out. He saw the glimpse of the symbols he feared the most.
"Sir don't have much time and patience. So cooperate." He was straight to his point and didn't even give a second to thing all through. He couldn't comprehend the situation before one of his fingers were pulled aside and put into of the clippers.
"AH--!" His mouth got stuffed with the remains of the previous victim's intestines. Nor could he gag, so he choked on it before the boys finally pulled it out.
"I WILL SPEAK!! I SWEAR I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS THE 'FANGS'!! I WAS ONLY ORDERED TO HANDLE A BOY! We're only hired mercenaries!" He knew 'FANGS' weren't someone to mess with when everyone knew what he was capable of. To think he was facing the leader himself was unlucky day for him. The entire trace would disappear.
The guy before leaving the military camp, 'FANGS' was widely known throughout and most cases were aided by them. In return, they would ignore or forgive their crimes.
True to his word, they were only an ex-militaries who was only following orders. There was no way to find out who the main culprit was if the transactions were in the form of crypto currency.
"I was only hired to bring that boy. The client said he was wanted alive and save."
"Why was he locked in the room?" If he was meant to be kidnapped from the place, he wasn't supposed to be there.
"I lost contact with the others right after they were caught. First I thought I needed to secure our escape route as planned and leave right after. There were more people in sight than expected. So we had to lock him up and then go check." By the time, the mercenaries could execute their back up plans both the others were taken under custody and the only one who was on the loose was this guy who managed to trap the boy into his room coincidentally.
Haze guessed two master mind behind such amateur plan. It either was meant to warn him that the boy was an easy target to get to him, or that Leah had his own enemies because of his history like before.
"I changed my mind. Work for me."
Haze thought it was time he picked up his games as well. It's been years since someone dared challenge his authority and his control. If they were going to play, why not play by his rule.
Using pest like them to his disposal was what excited him after so long although he had decided to leave his past behind for the boy he cared the most. It seems that time was yet to come but not before the case got solved.
Leah
My whole body ached so badly similar to doing an excessive exercise, especially my back. It felt it broke or something. As for my eyes, it feels it became puff from crying and bags would appear below my eyes.
I opened my eyelids and found myself sleeping on my back layed over the bed back to our room.
I checked my phone that layed on the table side of the bed and the time was passed 12 in noon, alone on the bed.
Yesterday's memories came flashing in my mind, killing me and pain panged in my chest.
I was in my different clothing, and the smell of sex wasn't on me at all. On my hand, it was treated and bandaged.
"It can't be a dream," I told myself. My injured hands were the prove of it. My upper body stood upright, stinging shot of pain creaped in earning a sharp outcry from my throat.
I couldn't move my back more than right now. If I did, my back might become spineless.
"Now you awake?" I raised my head up to find Haze standing by the door with a tray of food in his hand.
He kept the tray on the table, bringing me the bowl with the spoon.
"I made it," he said handing it to me but I didn't take it, "aren't you hungry?"
I didn't reply, but my stomach growled starving.
.....
So, I took it quickly filling my tummy without delaying any second.
After I was done, he brought his hand closer to my face. I flinched and turned my face away.
"Don't touch me!" I slapped his hand away, exploding at him.
I thought he was again force to touch me, but he surprising complied and stayed away maintaining some distance.
"I understand," he said, and then suddenly his demeanour changed into a snickering wicked, "I can't believe you fell for my trap. Ha! A naive kid. I had to keep up with all those of your tantrum to get to you."
"Excuse me?" I asked infuriatedly glaring at him.
"I believe by now you must have found out the truth," he grinned leaning away on the chair that he had been sitting.
"You mean... you being the mafia... my father's death? And... about Taylor?" I can't get use to this attitude of his. So, he had hidden it from me from the beginning. I only looked at him with hatred and hassled, much with disgust.
"So you know. Saves me some trouble to explain you the back stories then," he rested on his elbow on the arm and his chin on his palm crossing his legs showing power and domination, "it's all true. I did kill your father and I also know Taylor, he's my mother's favourite toy. Actually my dead mother's weapon."
"Wait, but I saw your mo-"
"She is the step mother, father's real lover. Me and my sister, we are the loveless product of mother and father's arrange marriage."
He held hatred in his every words he talked about his mother.
I listened to him as he was admitting it that he did everything like telling me lies and that he was just using me.
"Why did you send Taylor to... do that to me?" I was scared and tensed, but I will get the truth out of him if it is the last thing I do.
"I didn't, "he calmly explained, "he is the run away man who does my work under cover illegal works for my mother, and he went into hidding. I am still insearch of him."
"But why did you use me? I am of no use to you."
"Actually you have an important role to play here. Your father requested me to take care of you before he died."
"What do you mean?" He was only confusing me.
"Leah," he was softening now, "I promise on us, I did kill your father but only to put him out of misery. I never meant to kill him out of choice, but out of empathy. He was already dying. I just relieved him out of extreme toture."
"Then what about meeting me back when I was just a kid?"
He brightened over the topic of mentioning it, and it was rare for him to do that.
"Yes. I met you that time and you came up to me, like an angel. My savior who saved me from the guilt that was eating me up," he smiled and shone too visible for him to hide it.
His lies were adding up more and more. I was irritated that he had a nerve to lie more than he had. I won't stop until this liar finally gives up.
"Then why did you force on me?!" I cried, involuntary throwing at him with whatever object I layed my hands on and said, "and why did that lady threw herself on you?! Why?! Isn't it that you were just playing with me?" At the end, I lost my cool.
"That was not it. I was drugged." Liar! I don't want to hear it anymore! I tried my best to shove him away.
"Liar! I-"
"You have to listen. I was drugged by her to talk about you and that she knew that you to become a target. So, I followed to see what she would say, but I didn't think she was cunning as a sly fox to get me drugged. I held it on and threatened her to leave... until I saw you in the room, I lost it. I was lossing my control seeing my angel, my beautiful angel that is hard to resist."
He was still restraining himself from wanting to come closer.
He just wipped my tears away and retracted it not staying long in contact.
"Then... then why... hic.. why were you acting like a mean player when you entered the room? You are again playing with me right?" I cried as well as speak hurting.
He embraced me, shocking me with his sudden change, "I was supposed to make you hate me. But I can't. I am too selfish to let you cry of broken heart and leave. If you stay with me, only trouble comes. I know I am a jerk. Or worse. You have seen it with your own eyes. I cause you grief and pain, nothing more. If I make you hate me, you can just walk away and find yourself a better life. Maybe find someone new, better guy."
I would have pushed him away, but I didn't asking him, "are you..... crying?"
"No I am not."
"Liar," I laughed and cried since I can feel drop of tear on my shoulder.
I can't see him, but I know he cried a bit, shedded few tears if not like me. It was enough to tell me that his action was worth more than his words.
"A grown man-ouch! Don't don't crush me!" He had that strength to break in hugging the hell out of me. I already had a broken back and here he was, trying to pop my bones out too.
"Who are you? Really, I can't understand you when you change like a changing chameleon and comes up with different forms," I looked distressed and puzzled.
"Didn't I already say that I was a normal human? An ordinary guy you preferred."
He finally lets go, but I can't say I can trust him like I will before and nor could I call him a liar.
"I won't say I forgive you. And I also can't say I am mad at you. For me, I think we still need space and it's better me keep the distance. I will leav-"
"No. You won't. I will not be home most time, so you could stay here."
I- he left eh?? Can somebody explain what's going on? Leaving silently, taking my unanswered questions along with his exiting. I don't get him.
I want to just leave.
I packed my bags, put my clothes in my luggage and got ready to leave... but...
Day one of absence
"I guess he wouldn't come."
I went out shopping for some groceries, planned to write the book, take a stroll or a small walk. The laze around the house and sleep.
Day five of absence.
It became my daily routine to sleep around as I feel my hand heal and the rooms got extra clean and tidy.
I was glad that I didn't had to see him.
Inside, it felt different and alone. But not lonely! Ok! Get the difference between alone and lonely!
It means I don't feel lonely when I am alone! I am trying to adjust in. That's all! You get that right!?
What am I doing with myself? I hit my head scolding myself that this isolation was driving me crazy.
Forget it, I told myself.
Before that I could listen and tug in with a soothing instrumental music. My mind need distraction and silence was scaring me.
Don't we say our mind becomes the devil's workshop when left to it's own device. There is no denying that fact.
I listened away to podcast and meditated at night, if I have sleeping problem.
Anxiety. It gets me everytime I am disturbed from within. It keep on getting worse. But with hysterical outburst I calm myself after a while.
Then off to bed. But my body, it feels weirdly sensitive to the touch. I closed and open my hands in front of my drooping eyes just to realise I was missing his presence and comfort. I wonder why.
Day ten of absence.
"Where ya all been?" Casper layed on bed video calling.
"Nothin much. Grandma loved it. I helped grandpa plan a surprise!" Pal showed the back camera to the happy couple talking non stop.
"Lucky..." Nita said annoyed.
"Aren we to...haa?" we all heard Alfron's yawning voice from Nita's side.
"Did we just hear Alfron? Why didn't he pick up his call?" Casper asked.
"See for yourselves," Nita showed Alfron with her and he was checking out Nita's room, mostly laying on the bed.
"What are you doing there? Shouldn't you be home?" He rolled over still not getting up.
"Didn~ wan~ to," he waved sluggishly, "moms pissed. I ran awa~ from hom~."
Nita turned the camera back to herself sighing profusely, "he came here taking refuge in my home and my parents think I invited my boyfriend home.
That's why they welcomed him whole heartly and happily that I found a partner." She mimicked and made fun of how her parents accepted him with open arms like as if Jesus came knocking at the door.
"Haha! Wish we could have seen that!"
"Yeah." I couldn't say much since I was not in mood.
Alfron pointed out, "how did the fucking proposal go? You didn't tell us."
"Rejected," Casper laughed, though I remained silent. They knew it was me and it was kind of like getting cornered.
"Finally we found one person who finally rejected you, I love Jesus now!"
"Shut up man! If I was there, I would have kicked your butt!" Casper and Alfron lightened the atmosphere when it was getting awkward.
"Are you alright?" Pal asked me since I didn't take part in the conversation and stayed aloof.
"Yes?"
"You look pale and weak, have you been eating?" Nita inquired me, "where is your Mr. Perfect? I am surprise I don't see him around. By now, he should have snatched you from here."
"It's about him, isn't it?" Casper hits the bull's eyes, "whenever he is involved you would either glump if it goes wrong or glow optimistically if something good happened."
"Woah.. you know our Leah so well!" Nita made a face, teasing.
"Don't underestimate the guy in lo- I mean the guy," Casper stopped midway changing it.
"Haze.. hasn't return home for days," I admitted, "but I am not troubled at all!"
"Says the lonely kid with the panda eyes who is deeply troubled without his papa."
"Do I really look that bad in shape?" I saw my image in the mirror and I can't decribe how much I resembled the baby panda but only with skinny body.
"Absolutely! Now tell this mama what happened? You two fought?" Nita kept her phone on the phone stand giving us the full view of her upper body as she moved aback and waited for me to speak.
"..I.. we.. yes.. Actually I can't say what exactly happened, but he lied. He hid the truth from me and played with me. I never thought he would do that."
"Did you confront it?"
"I heard it with my own ears. And... besides I did confront it and he said he.. was helpless and that a circumstances was too tight that he lost it."
Casper seriously asked, "you mean he slept with others?"
"No! He didn't! He slept with-" oh my god! I curled up my lips in almost regretting the next word I was about to say.
"?? Is something wrong?"
"I.. haha.. I think I ate sour lemon by mistake," I quickly covered up with my lie and stuttered, "we- we can m-move on! I am thinking of leaving soon for home."
"You mean back?when will you return?" Pal asked and so did others listened anticipating a good answer.
"I won't," I replied.
"What!!" Casper jumped out of his bed falling over to his floor as his phone toppled on the ground slipping from his hand with camera still on. Then grabbing it back.
"Why?" Nita stole the words from Alfron who was about to ask the same question.
Casper, too apologetically looked at me saying, "is it my fault? Did something bad happen?" So much that I feel so empty.
"No," I denied, "none of you have done anything wrong, but I think I am not cut out to be here. I have personal reasons too. It- has nothin to do with Haze... I don't care about him now. I just want to get back home. I think it must be a homesick. Never been away from home. So... must be it."
"Then why are you crying?" Eh? Am I? I put my hand down my eye. It was wet.
"Oh! I am cutting so-some onions! I will call later! Bye!" I hung it up on them.
Whew.. that was a close call. What's with my fluctuation with my emotion! Even this weather changes lesser compared to my mood!
Maybe I should go out for a walk again. Talking about weather and climate, the sky was clear but the dusk was setting in.
So, I had to hurry if I needed to spend some time alone in the park.
From my daily exploration, I found the children park which says "Sunshine Park". It is usually empty and desserted when the sun begins to set in.
This time it was not the same. I walked up on the sand with my shoes on, thinking nothing would go wrong.
"How strange." I thought as I walked the park hands on my back and taking in the fresh breeze. Something is amissed.
It was getting late, so I prepared to go back until I came across a child crying by himself by the slide. No adults were around to get him, moreover I found a creepy masked guy approaching him.
"Sweetie!" I acted fast and pulled the child to my side, "are you alright? I have been looking for you all around.... Adi?"
He looked at me, and embraced my legs, "botha!" He remembered me!
I suspiciously stared at the guy, so he fled away kicking the dust with his hands in his hoodie pocket.
"Adi? Where is your parents?" I searched around but no one was in the sight.
"Los..." he phrased like he would do.
"Lost? How long have you been here?"
He couldn't say clearly but tried to show me with the gap between his two hands.
"I see. It isn't that long," I thought for a while, and then I turned my back at him, "hop on, let's find your parents. They must be really worried sick. I will help get to the local police station." Good thing I came across one when I was roaming around the neighborhood for a walk.
He didn't hesitate and got on my back but I stumbled forward. He wasn't heavy, it must be that I lost my strength.
He must have freaked out all by himself in an unknown place. I let him hold onto me and get him to feel comfortable.
"So," to keep him from worrying, I kept talking with him as I searched for any sign of the parents, "did you meet your family?"
He held onto to me and nodded. We passed few blocks without any sign of his parents.
"How were they? Did they took you in and forgive your parents?" I excited asked. The reunion are so heart touching. In movies and books, that part moves even the cold hearts to become warm.
"Gandpapa hates me. No lok. Thew ot. They al mean!" (Grandpa hated to even see to see my face. Threw us out. They were all mean!)
"He what?!" How could he do that to his own grandson! I yelled which made him shut his eyes and sad.
"I am sorry, sweetie," I softly asked for forgivenes.
"Mm but both nice." He didn't speak anymore and kept quite. He only spoke up when he wanted to guide me the direction from which he would come from.
Every step I took, I could hear footsteps from behind. Someone was following me.
When I turned my head, I saw a light shadow casted from the corner of the store. Can it be that man again?
I pretended like I didn't even see him. He was not the only one. Few more was following me.
I took the wrong turn on purpose and he followed right in after me. My heart beat raised, and I thought of a plan and I got a better map to where I could hide since I have already been here.
"Can you stay brave and silent for me?" I whispered to Adi and he signalled me with his hand as yes.
I first walked in my normal phase, but then I directly ran and two turned right and hid behind the two large garbage bins. Adi and I tried our best not to utter a single words when those men followed right after us.
"Where did he go?!"
"He's not there either?"
"We better find him. If not boss is gonna have our head for sure."
"Let's go and hurry!"
They went ahead and I rushed back further away from them. I didn't let go of Adi, and made our escape.
"We're save." I told Adi, who seemed to be the most scared one. I cooed him and cradling him in my arms. I continued my search for his parents, but careful and calculating every steps to avoid those guys.
It was getting late. And also dark. Not a single soul passed by to ask them if they had seen his parents. He even fell asleep on my back. I didn't stop looking though I was dead tired. I needed to find them soon. Or else Adi will be sad.
Why do I seem to care so much about getting separated parents? I can't shake the feeling of emptiness.
"Adi!"
" Baby Adi!"
I heard two voices coming from ahead of us. I walked faster to that direction without waking Adi and I found them.
"Mrs. Aria?" I called to make sure it was really them. I was not mistaken,
She turned to my direction and she was sobbing but still got hold of herself to scoop him into her tight hug inspecting him from head to toe.
"Adi! My child!" She took the child in her arms kissing his faces glad and thankful. Adi was still not fully awake from his sleep, but he smiled in his mother's embrace.
".... Leah?" The father asked full of doubt, as he stepped in closer to his wife's side.
"It's been long, Mrs. and Mr," I smiled at them, and giving them a formal bow.
"Leah?" Mam took a glance at me and stooped down bowing back, "thank you so much! I can't say how much I feel indebt to you." Both Mam and the Mr. did the same, and I pleaded.
"I did it because I had to. Please, I don't deserve this gratitude. I am good as long as Adi is safe and sound."
"We have nothing to give as a thanks, but we promise to repay your kindness! We live around this neighbourhood.
"Please do visit us." She sincerely wanted me to come over for a little visit but right now was not a good time. So I had to refuse her invitation but kind enough not to offend or upset her as I smiled softly.
"I will," I promised and left. I was late, much later than my sleeping time.
I will now think when I should leave.
For home. Forever. Nothing is left here that was going to stop me from going. To think I deserved to to selfish just for once was so wrong of me.
I was ready to walk away until.
ping ping..
Messages and the notification popped up anonymously.
"I found you."
Who? I checked my phone.
That's when my heart dropped a beat-- entirely blacking out from my thoughts.
Hello. Thanks for reading my work.
Word count: 4447