Headstart

LUCY

My heart raced like a runaway train, the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I struggled against the death grip.

I kicked and writhed, every fiber of my being focused on breaking free from this sudden nightmare.

Panic surged through me as I was forcefully dragged away from the safety of the street and into the alley behind the ice cream parlor.

I looked around, desperate for a way out, but my eyes landed on two more figures in the alley.

One of them, a towering man with bulging muscles, seemed like a bodyguard. His sheer size and intimidating presence sent shivers down my spine.

The other person, a woman, looked strikingly beautiful and crazy at the same time. Her wild pink hair was allover her face and her eyes held a hint a madness that made me uneasy for an instant.

My mind raced, piecing together the situation and I knew I was trapped.

That woman clicked her tongue and pouted in a mocking manner as if she found amusement in my fear. She lifted her hand, bringing it to my face and trailed her finger down my temple, pushing back my hair strands. ''Oh, poor poor Lucy. You look so scared. Don't worry honey, I'll not kill you...'' she trailed off grinning and whispered ''yet''.

She started laughing like a maniac and I looked at her in disbelief. What the fuck is wrong with her?

She signaled the man who held me something and he loosened his grip. I gasped for air as soon as he let go of me. Just as I thought I was free to move, his strong hands were on my arms, wrenching them painfully behind my back.

The discomfort in my shoulders and wrists made me groan. I looked at the woman again, there was something familiar about her that I couldn't put my finger on.

My voice wavered as I forced the words out of my lips. ''Who are you? What do you want from me?''

The woman's gaze bore into mine, one second she is serious and then she suddenly giggled. There is definitely something wrong with her. She is either high or a psychopath.

''Oh, my dear Lucy," she said, her words dripping with a twisted delight. "You have something that belongs to me. Something I've been waiting for a long time to get back."

I frowned, my mind racing to comprehend her words. Something of hers? What could she possibly mean? I searched my memories, wracking my brain for any connection to this woman or why she looked familiar, but I found nothing.

Confusion etched my features, and I mustered the courage to respond. "I don't understand. I don't have anything of yours." My words wavered and I hated that.

The woman's laughter echoed once more. "You really are as dense as ever, Lucy," she sneered, her gaze condescending. "You never knew what's going around you. Do you even know how difficult it is to get you alone? How many people I had to distract?''

Anger flared within me. She is trying to taunt and manipulate me. My patience was wearing thin, and I couldn't stand the woman any longer. Clenching my fists, I shot back "Enough with the games. Get to the point, I don't have all day. My children are waiting for me, and I won't be a part of whatever twisted plan you have."

As soon as I said that, the man holding me tightened his grip on my wrist, making me whimper. I tried to look at him but the woman gripped my face and turned me towards her.

She looks crazy again. It was as though my words offended her. ''That's where you are fucking wrong. You may think you are a mother to both of them, but one of them is mine. Jason is my son. My. Son. He is not yours. I gave birth to him, not you.''

My eyes widened and I looked at her in disbelief. Now I can see why she looked familiar. She doesn't even need a DNA test to prove what she just said. Except for her pink hair, the resemblance between her and Jay is not debatable.

She looked pleased as she saw the look on my face. ''That's right Lucy, I'm back to get my child. I'm going to take him away. Unfortunately, I can't do that right now because my asshole of a brother thinks that I'm not ready to take care of my own child yet.''

I clenched my teeth and tried to stand straight. Come on Lucy, you trained three years for this moment. Didn't you swear to your kids to protect them? Didn't you promise to Jay that you'd never let anyone separate them? Come on, you can't let this woman's words weaken you.

''Then why are you here now? Where were you when Jay was being abused? Huh? Too busy getting high?'' My words seemed to hit a nerve because she looked like she was about to loose her last strand of sanity.

''SHUT UP!!! Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut your fucking mouth or else I'll kill you, you ungrateful bitch!! The only reason you are alive is because of me! Because you are taking care of my boy. I'm the one standing between you and death or else you will be dead by now. You understand that? So show some fucking respect''

I scoffed. ''Respect? To the woman who abandoned her child and left him to die? Sorry but my standards are high''

She shook her head and her lips were trembling. ''N-No, he wasn't always like that. Dave loved me, loved Jason.'' She said and looked at me pleadingly. ''But I had to leave them. My father found us and threatened to kill them. It's either leaving them or killing them. You understand, right?'' She held my shoulders and smiled, looking into my eyes, like searching for something. ''Right? You know now why I had to do that, right?''

When I didn't say anything, she shoved me and scoffed. ''Why would you? Like I said before, you are dense. I came here to see my son because I couldn't see him whenever I wanted, like before. Apparently, you hate me without even knowing my existence and had to bring Jason all the way to Italy. I have been following you for a few days and I saw how he looks at you. Jason is supposed to look at me like that, not you. I'm his mother, not you. I couldn't see that so I decided to take him away. But- urghhh '' she groaned and started to pace around, hitting her forehead. ''But- I can't, not yet. But I'll be back before you know it. I'll convince my brother and bring an army if I have to.''

She turned towards me again and smirked. ''I'm here to give you a headstart, to warn you.''

My heart raced as her threats hung heavy in the air. The thought of my children being taken away triggered something within me.

"No one can separate me from my children," I retorted, my voice steady despite the fear in my chest. The woman's expression flickered, a hint of frustration crossing her features before being masked by that same cruel smile. Her words had hit a nerve, but I refused to show any sign of weakness.

I gathered every ounce of strength, every scrap of courage I had left. With a swift movement, I stomped on the foot of the man who held me, using the element of surprise to catch him off guard. His grip loosened, and I took the opportunity to break free from his hold.

Instinct took over as the training I had received in Krav Maga kicked in. I turned to face the man, my body coiled and ready for action.

He lunged at me, but I sidestepped his attack, using his momentum against him. A quick elbow strike to his midsection made him stagger, and I followed up with a knee to his gut. He grunted in pain, doubling over, and I used the opportunity to deliver a powerful elbow strike to his back, sending him crashing to the ground.

The second man, the towering bodyguard, was closing in. I dodged his attempts to grab me, my movements fluid and precise. I knew I couldn't afford to let him overpower me with his sheer size and strength. I deflected his strikes and aimed for vulnerable points, using joint locks and strikes to incapacitate him.

But the fight was far from one-sided. I felt the impact of blows against my arms and torso. Pain surged through me, but I refused to give in. I could see surprise in his eyes as I fought back with everything I had. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, sharpening my focus and pushing my body beyond its limits.

I managed to land a precise strike on his knee, causing him to falter for a split second. It was all I needed. I seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful kick to his chest that sent him stumbling back and collapsing.

Breathing heavily, I stood in front of the women, ignoring the pain from all the fight. The woman's mocking laughter had turned into a stunned silence.

"You underestimated me," I said, my voice steady despite the pain that pulsed through me. "My children mean everything to me, and I won't let anyone take them away."

My words seemed to have triggered something in her. Before I could react, she lunged at me and took me by surprise. On instinct, I caught her hand, twisting it back with a firm grip. Her scream of pain filled the air and her face crunched in agony.

Leaning in close, I whispered into her ear. "Don't ever try to pull this kind of shit again. Next time, I won't hesitate to hurt you."

The woman cursed and spat out a string of curses, her anger evident despite the pain she was in. Her eyes bore into mine with so much hate. "You are so full of yourself," she spat. "But you have no idea what you're up against. I kind of pity you though. But don't worry. I have a gift for you Lucy, and you're gonna love it" she said and started to laugh.

I held her gaze for a moment longer before releasing her, watching as she scrambled to distance herself from me. I didn't say a word as I turned and jogged away from her.

I sprinted back to the parking lot of the ice cream parlor. Jay and Vicky were waiting in the car, looking worried.

I opened the car door and got attacked with questions. I leaned down and hugged them tightly, feeling their warmth and presence like a lifeline.

"Mom, what took you so long?" Jay's voice was filled with a mixture of concern and frustration. "We were getting really worried."

I pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I got caughtup by a phone call." I replied, trying to downplay the situation. "But I'm here now, and that's all that matters."

Jay's eyes shifted to a point across the street, and his voice grew softer. "There was something happening over there. I was almost going to get out and check if you were okay."

I glanced in the direction he indicated, noticing a commotion involving an old couple and three men. My heart skipped a beat as one of the men locked eyes with me, his expression shifting from intensity to surprise. It was a strange encounter, one that I couldn't make sense of at that moment.

I started the car and pulled onto the road. I exchanged a glance with Jay and Nick through the rearview mirror, and they looked as worried as I am.

_________

As usual, the aroma of dinner prepared by Gemma greeted us as we entered the house.

I watched the kids head towards their rooms. "Freshen up, you two," I called after them with a weary smile. "I'll get some snacks ready for you.''

As they disappeared into their room, I let out a sigh, today's events are finally settling in. My muscles protested with each step, aching from the fight. I guess the adrenaline wore off.

I reached my bedroom and closed the door behind me. My body trembled slightly as I sank onto the edge of the bed, the tension that had kept me standing finally giving way. I leaned back against the softness of the headboard, allowing my eyes to flutter closed.

*****

I entered the house and sat on the couch. I feel so tired. I sighed and looked around for Jay or Vicky. Weird, there is no one in eyesight and there is pin drop silence.

''JAY ! VICKY!'' I frowned when I didn't hear any response. ''ALEX! Where are you guys?'' Confused, I rose up from the couch and started to search the house with my heart pounding in my ears.

Every room I entered felt like a dead end. I searched every corner, my voice growing more desperate with each call.

But then, everything went dark. I struggled to catch my breath, as the world around me shifted.

Suddenly, a glimmer of light pierced the darkness, and I raced towards it, desperate for something real. The room that was before me was unfamiliar-a living room I had never seen before. A pink-haired woman sat on the sofa, talking with a child beside her. My heart skipped a beat as I took in the scene and then realized that the child was Jay.

Confused, I moved towards them, my hand reaching out to touch Jay, but an invisible barrier held me back, a barrier I couldn't cross no matter how hard I tried. I banged on the barrier and started to shout.

"Jay!" I screamed, my voice was desperate. "Jay, it's me! Can you hear me?" But neither Jay nor the woman acknowledged me. Their laughter and joy continued as though I didn't exist.

Tears streamed down my face as I watched them, their bond and their happiness felt so real. They shared a connection that I never had with Jay. My heart ached with a mixture of sadness and longing. Jay's laughter, so free and pure. It was a sound I had rarely heard in my reality.

Another light emerged and I raced towards it in hopes of escaping. But once again, the scene infront of me shattered my heart.

Alex stood in a kitchen, engaged in playful banter with a stunning blonde woman. My gut churned as I watched them. Their chemistry is undeniable. The blonde woman's laughter was like a dagger to my chest, a reminder of my own absence from Alex's life.

Suddenly, Alex kissed her, making me choke out a cry. It feels like a betrayal to everything we had shared. I pressed my hand against the invisible barrier. I wanted to shout but I couldn't. It's like there is something in my throat to prevent me from crying out, from making my presence known.

Then, a young boy entered the scene, a boy I couldn't yet recognize. He tugged at Alex's shirt, and my heart ached as the boy's identity became clear- Vicky.

My breath caught in my throat as I watched the three of them together as a family. A family that didn't include me.

My heart shattered into a million pieces as I turned away, collapsing to the ground, overcome by the pain of the visions that had torn apart my reality.

I closed my eyes and hoped to escape the nightmare that had swallowed me whole.

*******

But a small voice, a whisper of reality, reached my ears. "Mom. Mom, wake up." It was Jay's voice. I struggled to respond, my body felt weak and unresponsive.

Vicky's small hand shook my arm, his voice trembling as he pleaded for me to wake up. "Mamma, what happened? Mamma, please... I'm scared. Wake up, mamma..."

I fought against the heaviness that weighed me down, trying desperately to respond, to reassure them that I was there, but there was a pin drop silence again and the darkness closed in once again.