TRAPPED IN THE LION'S DEN

Mason dragged Mary to the pool area, her screams echoing through the empty halls. The afternoon sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on the cold water of the pool. He threw her into the shallow end of the pool, and she splashed around frantically, trying to keep her head above water.

"Please, Mason, please," Mary pleaded as he repeatedly shoved her head under the water, "Get this on camera." Mason ordered his henchmen, "I want Ashley to see what happens to those who cross me." Mary struggled to breathe as her head remained underwater for too long, but just as Mason was about to let her drown, he pulled her head out to prevent her from dying.

Melody had followed them to the pool area, horrified by what she saw. "Please, Mason, stop this," Melody pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "You're hurting her. You're hurting everyone. Please, I'm begging you." But Mason just sneered at her, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "You don't understand, Melody," he said. "Ashley needs to see that I mean business. And if that means hurting her mother, then so be it." Mary's screams echoed in the empty pool area as Mason dragged her by her hair, ignoring her desperate pleas.

Ignoring Mary's gasps for air, Mason asked, "Can you swim?" When she nodded, he tossed her into the deeper end of the pool. The cold water took her breath away, and she struggled to stay afloat. But Mason didn't care; he was too focused on the video he was making for Ashley.

"Please, Mason, please," Mary begged, trying to keep her head above water. "I'll do anything you want, just please let me go. I'm not Ashley's mother, I swear."

But Mason just laughed, his eyes glinting with a cruel light. "I don't believe you," he said. "And even if you were telling the truth, it wouldn't matter. You're just a pawn in my game. A means to an end. And that end is revenge."

"I hope you're happy, Mason," Melody said, her voice shaking with anger. "You're no better than the people you claim to hate. You're a monster."

Mason just laughed. "You don't know the first thing about me," he said. "And you have no idea what I'm capable of. I suggest you stay out of my way if you know what's good for you."

"Stop filming and send the video to Ashley. Give her 24 hours to come for her mother, or else things will get bloody." As he stomped off, Melody followed him. He felt angry that it was taking too long for him to kill the mafia queen who had taken the remaining family he had left from him.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows across the pool area. Mary was left shivering in the cold water, her body bruised and battered. Melody knew she had to do something, but she didn't know what. She couldn't let Mary suffer like this, and she couldn't let Mason get away with what he was doing, even if she needed his help for her freedom.

***

The dining room was dimly lit, with the only source of light coming from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The room was massive, with a long dining table that could easily accommodate twenty people. The table was surrounded by chairs, each one with a high back and plush cushioning. The walls were lined with paintings, most of them depicting scenes from the old world. The atmosphere in the room was tense, with everyone seated at the table looking like they were there against their will.

Xander sat uncomfortably in his chair, trying to keep his eyes down and avoid the lecherous gazes of the gang members. The maids, dressed in scantily clad clothes, were serving food to the gangsters, some of whom were caressing their bodies as they put food on their plates. Xander felt disgusted, knowing that these men were criminals, and he was a cop. But he couldn't help but notice how united they were, something that was lacking in their police department.

As the food was being served, Xander leaned over to Carl, who was seated at the head of the table, and whispered, "Carl, can I take some food to Ashley? She's still sleeping."

Carl looked at Xander, his eyes narrowing as he replied, "You look like someone I've met before."

Xander was taken aback by the sudden change in Carl's demeanor. He looked at Carl, trying to remember if they had ever crossed paths before. "I'm not a celebrity or anything like that," Xander replied, trying to put Carl at ease.

Carl nodded, his eyes still fixed on Xander. "I must be mistaken," he said, relaxing a bit. "Take the food to Ashley. She's the major reason I accepted you into my home."

Xander nodded and made his way to the kitchen, where the maids were dishing out the food. He managed to grab a plate and some food for Ashley and was making his way back to the dining room when Jake put his leg in the way. Xander stumbled, and the food in his hand went flying, landing on the floor with a loud clatter.

The entire room erupted in laughter, with the gang members pointing and jeering at Xander. He felt his face flush with embarrassment as he tried to pick up the pieces of the broken plate.

"Looks like the simp can't even carry a plate of food without dropping it," one of the gang members shouted, causing the others to laugh even harder.

Xander felt like he was in a nightmare, and he couldn't wait to wake up.

He stood frozen, his heart racing as the gang members continued to laugh. He knew he had to get out of there, but he didn't know how. He looked around the room, searching for a way out, but all he could see were the leering faces of the gangsters.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash, and the room went silent. Xander turned to see what had happened and saw that one of the maids had dropped a tray of glasses in the kitchen. The noise seemed to break the spell that had been cast over the room, and the gang members started to get up from the table, laughing and joking with one another.

Xander took the opportunity to slip out of the room. His heart racing, he ran down the long hallway, the sound of his own breathing filling his ears as he tried to process what had just happened.

As he reached the end of the hallway, he saw a door that led outside. Without thinking, he pushed it open and stepped out into the night air. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but he knew he was in trouble.

He looked around, trying to get his bearings, but all he could see was darkness. He knew that he had to find a way out of there with Ashley and the group before it was too late.