Two weeks ago,
One dark night
The night Maria stepped out of her comfort zone, lured by a mysterious call from a stranger, she had no clue that the next hour would shatter all her dreams and hopes for the future. She didn't know that in an hour, she would loathe the only man she ever loved. The man she was about to marry.
An hour ago,
Maria had received a mysterious call from an unknown number, urging her to come to a secluded warehouse near the outskirts of the city. The voice on the phone claimed to have some important information about her fiancé, Antonio, and said it was a matter of life and death. Maria was curious and worried, wondering what could be so urgent and secretive. She had met Antonio a month ago, and he had swept her off her feet with his charm and generosity. He was a successful stock market trader, living in a lavish mansion and driving a fancy car. He was also supportive of her career as a doctor, encouraging her to pursue her dream of becoming a surgeon. He had proposed to her last week, and she had accepted without hesitation. She loved him, and he loved her. Or so she thought.
She had left her residency at the hospital, telling her colleagues that she had a personal emergency. She had taken a cab to the warehouse, hoping to find out what was going on. She had expected to meet the caller there, but instead, she had found herself in the middle of a nightmare. As soon as she had entered the building, she had heard gunshots and screams. She had followed the sound, and had stumbled upon a scene of horror. A group of armed men, wearing masks and black clothes, were attacking another group of men, who were dressed in suits and ties. The attackers were ruthless, shooting and stabbing their victims without mercy. The defenders were outnumbered and outmatched, falling one by one. Blood and bullets flew everywhere, creating a gruesome spectacle.
Maria had recognized some of the men in suits. They were Antonio's associates, his friends and business partners. She had met them at his parties and dinners, and they had seemed nice and friendly. She had wondered what they were doing here, and why they were being attacked. She had looked for Antonio, hoping to find him safe and sound. She had found him, but not in the way she had hoped. He was not among the victims, he was among the attackers. He was not wearing a mask, he was wearing a smirk. He was not holding a gun, he was holding a knife. He was not running away, he was running towards. He was not afraid, he was furious.
He was a monster.
Maria had watched in horror as Antonio had sliced and diced his way through his former friends, showing no remorse or pity. He had moved with grace and speed, like a dancer on a stage. He had wielded his knife with skill and precision, like a surgeon in an operating room. He had cut through flesh and bone, like a butcher in a slaughterhouse. He had laughed and taunted, like a psychopath in a horror movie. He had enjoyed every moment, like a sadist in a torture chamber.
He was a killer.
Maria had felt a surge of emotions, overwhelming and conflicting. She had felt fear, for her own life and for the lives of the innocent. She had felt disgust, for the bloodshed and the cruelty. She had felt anger, for the betrayal and the deception. She had felt sadness, for the loss and the grief. She had felt confusion, for the mystery and the paradox. She had felt love, for the man and the monster.
She was a fool.
She had hidden behind a pile of crates, hoping to go unnoticed. She had covered her mouth, trying to stifle her sobs. She had closed her eyes, wishing to wake up from this nightmare. She had prayed, begging for a miracle. She had waited, hoping for an end.
The end had come, but not in the way she had hoped. Antonio had finished his bloody work, leaving no survivors. He had turned around, looking for his next target. He had spotted her, hiding behind the crates. He had smiled, a wicked and twisted smile. He had walked towards her, his knife dripping with blood. He had spoken, his voice cold and cruel.
"Hello, my love. Fancy meeting you here."
Maria felt a surge of panic as Antonio approached her, his smile mocking and menacing. She tried to back away, but there was nowhere to go. She was trapped, like a mouse in a cat's claws. She looked around, hoping to find a way out, but all she saw was death and destruction. The warehouse was a slaughterhouse, and she was the last lamb.
She looked at Antonio, hoping to find a trace of the man she loved, but all she saw was a monster. A monster who had killed his friends, who had lied to her, who had betrayed her. A monster who wanted to kill her too.
She opened her mouth, wanting to scream, but no sound came out. She was speechless, unable to comprehend the horror of the situation. She was helpless, unable to defend herself from the danger. She was hopeless, unable to escape from the fate.
She closed her eyes, wanting to die, but death did not come. Instead, she felt a sharp pain in her chest, as Antonio plunged his knife into her heart. She gasped, feeling the blood gush out of her wound. She whimpered, feeling the life drain out of her body. She sobbed, feeling the love turn into hate.
She opened her eyes, wanting to see him, but he was gone. He had left her alone, bleeding and dying. He had left her without a word, without a kiss, without a goodbye. He had left her without a reason, without a remorse, without a regret.
He had left her without a love.
She looked at the sky, wanting to pray, but she had no faith. She had no God, no angels, no miracles. She had no hope, no dreams, no future. She had no joy, no peace, no happiness.
She had nothing.
She closed her eyes, wanting to end, but end did not come. Instead, she felt a faint pulse in her heart, as her body fought to survive. She felt a faint warmth in her hand, as someone held it gently. She heard a faint voice in her ear, as someone whispered softly.
"Maria, can you hear me? It's me, Dr. Singh. I'm here to help you. You're going to be okay. Just stay with me, okay? Stay with me."
She opened her eyes, wanting to believe, but she had no trust. She had no friends, no family, no allies. She had no one, no one but him. The man who had saved her, the man who had called her, the man who had warned her.
The man who had loved her.
She looked at him, wanting to thank him, but she had no words. She had no voice, no breath, no sound. She had no expression, no smile, no tears. She had no emotion, no gratitude, no forgiveness.
She had nothing.
She closed her eyes, wanting to rest, but rest did not come. Instead, she felt a surge of pain, as the ambulance arrived. She felt a surge of fear, as the paramedics rushed her to the hospital. She heard a surge of noise, as the sirens blared and the people shouted.
She felt a surge of life, as her heartbeat faster and faster.
She felt a surge of love, as his hand squeezed hers tighter and tighter.
She felt a surge of hope, as his voice echoed in her mind.
"Stay with me, Maria. Stay with me."