Silence fell... I didn't bother opening my eyes. I was still breathing somehow. There was another jerk, followed by a boisterous cry. I shot open my eyes and quickly covered them as the blinding lights of a car engulfed my vision. Jay bawled again, I heard footsteps rushing over. A cold tip touched my nape. "You surely have no shortage on helpers," Eden whispered furiously.
I opened my eyes with great force, and saw Jay under the tyres. Eden looked mad and nervous too. He gripped me tighter, digging the end of his gun into my neck. "Leave me," I threatened.
He didn't budge, so I kicked his navel, making his torso shudder in pain. The gun flew out of his hand. I somehow grabbed it and aimed at him instead; a few of his guards turned back to me from the main fight between them and my saver. Bullets were pitched at them one after another before they could harm me. I looked back at Eden, with a triumphant look. He seemed to look at the shooter, with a betrayed expression, breathing fire. "You- Ahhh," The person shot him in the leg, then at the chest and another at the same spot. I felt overwhelmed so I looked away.
The person then grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the car. "Wait, who-" When I could see, I gasped. "J-Jacob!," I was so grateful that tears brimmed in my eyes. "Quick, get in the car," He said, unconcerned. Flustered, I sat in quietly. But why was I secretly expecting Leo? There was someone else driving the car, I didn't need to look twice to recognize him. "Jake?"
Hearing me the man sighed and turned back, "I didn't leave you. I never could- Lia, I am sorry." His eyes were beady mentioning my name. I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "It's okay. Focus on driving for now. We'll talk later."
Fifteen minutes into driving, I asked, "Where are we going?"
"To Jays and your previous working house. Your mom is there and we need some information. Today we destroy the mighty mafia power!" Jake cheered.
I pictured mom in a dark cell, with bruises and looking feeble. I felt culpable for leaving her here like this, with that Hellen, I wondered what they did to her. Hellen had lied to me all along, was it possible she lied about Leo's death too? A teeny bit hope spread in my chest, just to be punctured again. If this was the case, he must have contacted me. I looked down, trying not to light any hope inside of me. When we arrived at the work house, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. I used to work here and now I'm here to free to my mom after killing Jay. As Jake slowly walked in, I said, "I don't think I'll be able to trust people for a long time now."
Jacob mocked, "I bet. Someone as foolish as you never learns." He also plodded into the house. I followed him, "You're so rude for what?"
Giving me a cold shoulder he proceeded with threatening the men out. Most of his men allegedly died during that night with Leo and Jay's relation with the southern mobs had further weakened his party. The ones who were left probably fled in fear. The place was mostly empty and we got in without any hindrance. "The dungeons might still have a tight security, be careful," Jacob remarked.
"Can you tell me why you're acting so cold to me?"
"Do you have a thing for not paying attention to situations where you should? Go save your mom."
I gave him a look, "Your tongue will drag you to hell."
"And your foolishness will drag you to death."
"Why are you so butt-hurt about it? I didn't do some sin, I'm not dying."
"One mistake will never kill you, the same mistake over and over will. Do you even read? If it wasn't for Jake..."
I didn't say much after that. I really was a stupid cow, who got ran over countless times but still repeated the same blunder.
"They- they know how to use my weaknesses."
"Because you show them."
There was a long pause before Jacob finally gestured me to go down to the basement. I nodded, touched; perhaps he was right after all. I stepped down the creaky staircase, jumping at the slightest sound made.
The vault was dingy with evil green lights. The silence was too loud. I could count my pulse, the walls here were sound proof so the screams didn't reach outside. "M-mom, are you there?" I whimpered, unable to reign my emotions.
"Lia?" I heard mom say, utterly shocked. I ran towards the end of the hallway, trying to open the door using my gun. Just then a guard handed me his keys. "There... Am I safe now? I promise I won't tell anyone."
"Thirty seconds... Run," Before I even finished my sentence, the man ran for dear life. Upon finding the keys, I opened the metal door. I instantly hugged mom, weeping in her chest, "I'm so sorry for running away. I didn't realize how much I missed you." "I love you..." she whispered, after a long time hearing these words from her caused me to burst into tears again.
"Hellen, I am going to murder that ruthless chick. She betrayed us! How dare she," Mom shook with anger.
"Don't worry mom, I'll make sure she gets her deserved punishment."
"They locked me here a month ago. I was staying at an inn, trying to stay hidden but they found me. I even tried calling you, but that gold digger did something to my phone I swear!"
"What? She told me you were with dad's brother. I can't believe this." I shook my head.
My mom was fuming like a galled dragon. I tried to calm her down, telling her I will discipline all those who went astray, betraying us. We stayed like that for a couple of minutes before heading upstairs. My heart was at ease. Finally I was able to save someone I loved. "The rest of the lockers seem empty," I said looking around.
"You should still check to make sure."
"Hmm," I put an arm around mom, resting my head on her shoulder while taking clumsy steps. "I'm so glad you're here. I thought I'd never see you again." In that instant, I screamed as a cold hand touched my feet. "Aurelia?"
"..."