Chapter 42

...Emile POV…

"Thank you very much" I said as I stood up from the old creaky chair I had been sitting on.

"It's not a problem", he said and began walking away

"Can I have your contact?" I asked causing him to stop in his tracks.

"Right," He replied as he pulled out a pen and paper from his pocket, and gave me his contact.

"Why do you have a pen and paper with you?" I asked, curiously.

"My mum taught me to always be prepared, a short pen is better than a long memory she would say", he replied with a smile.

I lost my dad at an early age and the burden of taking care of me and my father's debt fell on her shoulders. But she taught me to be good" he said as he shook his head.

"Why are you working in a gang then?" I asked him, my curiosity getting the better of me. "If you say your mother thought you to be good", I added

"It's the quickest way to raise money for my mother's treatment," he said, his voice filled with pain and sadness. "But now that I've got a share from the ransom, I'm going to quit."

" About your mum" I am sorry I shouldn't have judged you I said looking at him with lowered eyebrows.

"I guess she is a pretty good woman", who has a gem for a son. I said.

" You will be fine", I said as I smile at him

It is okay he said as he moved closer to me and touched my shoulders. I threw my hands over him and hugged him and his hands wrapped around me as he tightened the hug.

I felt a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that he was going to leave this life of crime behind.

As he was about to step out, I noticed that he hadn't covered his face. I couldn't help but laugh, and he joined in. He then put on his mask, and stepped out.

I watched him leave the building and enter the car through the window, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. He may have been a kidnapper, but he had also been my savior in a way. He had helped me escape and had a plan to leave the life of crime behind. I knew it would be a long way to heal from the trauma but I was glad to have met him.

The car drove off and disappeared into the distance.

… Dickinson pov…

I sat on the chair beside the bed, my eyes fixed on my wife's face. She looked so small and fragile lying there, hooked up to all the machines. Recently she had suddenly taken a turn for the worse, but the doctor said that she isn't going into a coma. That was good news too.

The room was quiet, except for the beeping of the machines and the occasional sound of footsteps outside the door. She was awake.

"I am happy you are here for me she said", as she looked at me.

"We are actually good together--"

Suddenly my phone buzzed in my pocket and I took it out.

"Mr. Dickinson, we have your fiancé, Emile. We want 1 million dollars for his release." The kidnapper's voice was cold and menacing on the other end of the line. I was surprised and shocked.

"I need proof that you have Emile. How do I know she is alive and you are real?" I asked, my voice shaking with fear. Hearing Emile, my wife Emily turned her expression unreadable.

"We can arrange a video call for you to see her." The kidnapper replied.

"Ok ok". I said as I took a deep breath hoping she wasn't hurt.

I dashed out of Emily's ward heading for my car outside the building.

I waited for the video call to come through in the car while praying she was safe.

When it did, I saw Emile sitting in a chair, his hands tied behind his back and a look of fear in his eyes. My heart ached at the sight of him like that.

"Please, I'll pay the money. Just don't hurt him," I begged.

"We'll give you the instructions on where to drop the money. But make sure to come alone and don't involve the police, or we'll kill Emile." The kidnapper warned before hanging up.

I immediately contacted my bank and transferred the money. I was given an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town as the location to drop the money. I got into my car and drove there with the money, my heart pounding with fear and anticipation.

When I arrived, I saw a hooded figure waiting for me. I handed over the money and the figure handed me a note with further instructions. "Emile will be released at the location specified on this note. Come alone or he dies."

I thanked them and quickly got back in my car, my hands shaking as I read the note. It was a remote cabin in the woods. I drove as fast as I could, my heart pounding with fear for Emile's safety.

… Dickinson pov…

I rushed to the designated location, my heart pounding in my chest. I had the money in a duffel bag, ready to hand over to the kidnappers for the safe return of my beloved Emile. I dropped the bag at the specified spot and quickly got back into my car. My only thought was to get to Emile as soon as possible.

As I drove to the location where I was supposed to pick her up, I couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and hope. What if something went wrong? What if the kidnappers didn't hold up their end of the bargain? But I couldn't let myself think like that. I had to have faith that everything would be alright.

I stepped out of my car, my heart pounding in my chest as I approached the old warehouse. This was the location where the kidnappers told me to pick up Emile. The building was dilapidated, with graffiti covering the walls and broken windows littering the exterior. The front door was slightly ajar and I could hear the sound of rats scurrying around inside.

As I entered the warehouse, a sense of unease washed over me. The air was thick with the smell of mold and decay. The light from outside barely filtered through the dirty windows, casting the interior in a dim and eerie light. I could see piles of discarded boxes and old machinery scattered throughout the space, creating a maze of obstacles to navigate through.

I started to search the building, calling out Emile's name as I went. My voice echoed through the empty space, but there was no response. My heart was pounding in my chest, my mind racing with fears and doubts. What if something had gone wrong? What if the kidnappers had changed their minds and decided not to release her?

As I searched, my anxiety began to build. I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened to Emile. The thought of losing her was unbearable, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for not being able to protect her.

I searched every corner of the warehouse, my fear and panic growing with each passing moment. But Emile was nowhere to be found. I felt a sense of despair wash over me, my mind consumed with thoughts of the worst-case scenario.

I realized that I had been played and the kidnappers had no intention of returning her. I felt anger and frustration boiling inside me, I knew I had to call the police and get the authorities involved.

I stepped out of the warehouse, my heart heavy with sadness and guilt. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had failed her. I had to find her, no matter what it takes. I would not rest until she was back safe and sound.

I quickly pulled out my phone and tried calling her, but her lines were still switched off. I dialed the kidnapper's number and it was a private number. I growled in frustration, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness.

I got back into my car, and as I drove, my emotions were all over the place. I was eager to see Emile, but at the same time, I was filled with a sense of dread that something had gone wrong. I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened to her.

The streets were deserted as I drove, the only sound was the hum of my engine and the occasional honk of a faraway car.

The darkness outside was only broken by the streetlights and the neon signs of closed shops.

I kept checking my rearview mirror, thinking that maybe Emile would come running after me, but all I saw was empty streets.

As I drove, I felt a growing sense of hopelessness. Had I made a mistake by trusting the kidnappers? Had I put Emile in danger?