Chapter 73
GRACIE
The first thing that registered on my mind as I slowly drifted into consciousness was that it was cold.
Chilling cold.
Followed by the sudden sensation of pain, my whole body ached, especially my face, it felt as if it had been hit over by a truck.
The floor beneath me was hard and....wet?
My heavy lids fluttered open, I blinked twice to clear my hazy vision.
It was dimly lit all over, the only streak of light came from a dim bulb at the far end of the room.
"Where am I? " I thought inwardly.
I tried to move my hands and feet but couldn't, that was when the panic kicked in. Why was I tied up?
Have I been kidnapped? So many thoughts were running at great speed through my head. I inhaled sharply as I tried to recall everything that had took place, and how I managed to end up in this state.
The memories rushed in like a hurricane, the panic that pulsated through my veins intensified.
Oh god!
My daughter where was she?
I searched my gaze thoroughly through the room but there was no sign of her, the thought sent my heart rolling.
What if she'd been hurt or...... No, I wouldn't even think about that.
I was such a bad mother, I couldn't even protect my daughter.
We both had been taking a walk, before Sebastian's words I didn't go too far.
We stopped at the playground, only about a ten-minute walk from the house.
Everything had been normal until I decided it was time to return, I hadn't been able to suppress the feeling that we were being watched.
Sure enough, I noticed two unknown men clad in black, I had told myself not to panic, they were so many people around, I just had to find a way to get me and Hazel to safety.
Then it happened, it had all went past in a blur.
a loud gunshot had rung out, followed by the screams and people running about for their safety.
I carried Hazel and ran, only I didn't get far.
They were more and more men, instinctively I knew they had specifically come for us, and they came well prepared.
About eight of them
I had cursed myself for not bringing my phone along
A hand groped my shoulders roughly, I almost lost my balance but caught myself just in time.
"What do you want from us! "
A harsh slap sent me flying to the ground, Hazel was harshly yanked out of my arms by the bulky man with a bald head.
"No! " I screamed, even as she began to cry, sensing the danger we were in
"Mommy! "
"Shut up stupid kid! " he snapped right in her face, a wave of red anger struck me, I could kill him right this instant if only I had the means.
"Our boss is the one who wants you "
I didn't have the time to ponder over that as he yanks at my hair tight, forcing me out of the ground.
A van was already waiting. More of his me were there, all were looking downright impatient.
But I wouldn't go down without a fight.
My eyes watered at the pain from my stinging scalp, I struggled against him, scratching and biting every part I could get my hands and teeth on until he let go of me.
"You'll pay for that stupid bitch! " he growled
His fist connected with my jaw, I thought I heard the sound of the bones snapping, the resulting pain was splitting.
I couldn't stop the scream that escaped my mouth.
Hazel was beginning to cry even louder and it broke my heart even more than the splitting pain in my jaw.
"Quit struggling or she dies! " Another gruff voice snapped, impatience radiating off him.
He produced a gun, and next pressed the barrel on Hazel's temple.
"It's fine if she dies, the boss only requested for you, he didn't make mention about bringing a damn kid!"
My body shook with raw terror, any more mistakes I might just lose my daughter.
" No! Let her go!" I screamed
"Mommy! " she kept crying, struggling against the huge man who held her
Three more men closed in on us and the next thing I remembered was a cloth being shoved into my face, the churning smell of chloroform infiltrated my lungs, burning until the strength slowly sipped out of me.
Not this again. I thought
How many times could one get kidnapped in life w
I could here Hazel crying. I wanted to fight, all I could do was manage to fall limp as the darkness covered me.
I fought against the binds on my wrists, it was so tight, it dug into my flesh, scrapping of the fragile skin, but I couldn't give up.
Not now.
Not ever.
After what felt like an eternity I finally broke free and started on those binding my feet.
I staggered towards the door, my fingers clenched at the knob, and yanked at it.
To my surprise, it gave way easily.
It had been left unlocked.
Which could only mean that they were confident I wouldn't be able to escape.
I didn't have time to worry about the danger, all I couldn't think of was searching for my Hazel.
I walked stealthily through a long hallway, I didn't bump into anyone, the house was huge.
Maybe a mansion?
I stopped in my tracks when I heard voices in heated arguments, the voices were unmistakably familiar.
I took a quiet step.
Then another.
From where I stood by the window, I could make out some things. The room was dimly lit, I couldn't make out their faces from my spot.
"You promised that you won't! That you only want money and power, then why are you doing this! "
He slapped her hard.
The loud sound resonated in the air, the force of it made her topple over as she crashed against the huge table in the process.
A hiss of pain escaped her mouth.
"Foolish girl! What do you know! Nothing! "
"We both know you made a mistake by taking her! You are going to get the both of us killed! "
The sound of bone-crunching was sickening, it made my stomach roll with repulsion.
"Everyone present at the scene has been killed, you only need to behave! I have great plans for them "
His words were like a heavy gust of wind, bursting my adrenaline open.
Them?
As in me and Hazel?
He straightened up, although I couldn't see his expression, I couldn't imagine the hateful look he wore as he stared down at her.
"If anything goes wrong because of you, I'll fucking kill you! Then you'll go to your whore of a mother, is that clear! "
"Yes father " she replied meekly
For a moment her gaze skipped to the window, catching sight of me, my heart pounded frantically against my chest.
I took a step backward slowly.
Then another.
For some strange reason, I didn't feel as if she would expose me. I mean, why would she allow herself to be hit twice while trying to speak up for me?
"Are you leaving? I do not think you've watched long enough, he spoke turning around swiftly to face me.
He knew!
He had been aware of my presence from the very beginning.
I stood rooted to my spot as he slowly walked out from the shadows, giving me a full view of his face.
Now I could see the evil smile on his face.
I did the only thing I could.
I ran.
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Any thoughts??
