The Journey To Freedom
It has been a long night, and morning came quickly. Marvel is still struggling with the loss of Gandolf, who had always been there for her. As for me, I just met Marvel, but there was an immediate connection. When I looked into her eyes, I felt an intense desire to help her. She resembled my first love so much that, if not for her family history, I would have thought she was a reincarnation of my past love. Her eyes, nose, teeth, smile, and even her skin color matched.
"I've moved far enough from the house, I think I can make the call now," I said to myself, dialing Viki's cell number. Unfortunately, the signal was poor, and the call didn't go through. I tried again and, luckily, it connected.
"Hello, Vi."
"Oh my fu**ing God, where have you been? I've been trying to reach you," Vicky exclaimed.
"Vi, listen to me. I need your help. I need you to assemble a group of your gang and meet me at the location I'll send to you. Make sure they come with extra armor. And I don't need you to come with them. Am I clear?"
"Can you slow down a bit? Since when do you need help?" Vicky asked, clearly puzzled.
"Vi, I don't have much time. I just forwarded my location to you. Let me know when your boys arrive," I replied, ending the call quietly. I looked around for a minute to ensure everything was clear and safe.
"Shit," I furrowed my brows as I realized I had left Marvel in the hands of a stranger. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. When I reached there, I slammed the door open.
I saw Mrs. Elisabeth on the telephone and quickly snatched the phone from her.
"Who were you talking to?" I yelled, causing Max and Ethan to rush inside. They had been standing guard outside, watching the surroundings for any potential intruders.
"She was just talking to our son on the phone," her husband protested.
"Look," Max said, drawing everyone's attention to a small box TV.
Elisabeth and Charles must have realized why we needed help.
(NEWS HEADLINE: There was a robbery at the Old Lucas Ship & Fishing Yard today. One of the robbers was shot by the guards on duty, while the others escaped. If seen anywhere, please contact the police. They are highly dangerous.)
"Who did you call on the phone, and what did you say to him?" Ethan screamed at the top of his voice. The elderly couple could only plead for their lives.
Max, trying to diffuse the escalating tension, stepped forward. "Ethan, calm down. We need to figure out what's going on here. Mrs. Elisabeth, Charles, who did you call? Is there something you are not telling us?
I rushed in to check if Marvel was okay. Then, I turned back to explain to the couple what had transpired.
"We are not the bad people. Marvel and I were kidnapped along with the guy you just saw on TV, who was shot dead when we tried to escape," I explained.
"Then you should go to the police. My son is an officer; he can help," Charles suggested.
"Sir, you won't understand. The people searching for us will stop at nothing until we are caught and killed for something we know nothing about. It would be kind if you could just tell us the truth. Who did you call, and what did you say to them?" I protested, desperate for answers.
I ordered Max and Ethan to take cover outside since we no longer felt safe. I wasn't sure when Vicky's men would arrive. While I was interrogating the couple, Marvel walked in and spoke up. "Leave them alone," she said. "We need to get out of here as soon as possible. I overheard them making a call, and they refused to tell me who the caller was."
"I heard everything," Marvel continued. "She just told her son that she had some strange visitors who were armed but calm and nice. She assured him not to worry and said they would handle the situation. That's all I heard her say."
Just then, the phone beeped, indicating I had received an SMS. I opened it, and it read, "Mom, I just received some information that criminals are roaming around, and I think they might be your strange guests. I'm on my way."
Worry filled me as I grappled with the uncertain situation, unsure of what to do next.
Upon receiving the text message from her son, a wave of relief and heightened concern washed over me. The situation appeared to be escalating rapidly, demanding swift action. Without delay, I shared the message with Marvel, as well as the elderly couple, Charles and Elisabeth. With a sense of urgency, I declared, my voice filled with determination, "We must leave immediately. It is evident that the individuals searching for us pose a significant threat, and relying solely on the police for protection is not enough. We need to find a secure place to hide." Marvel nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting unwavering resolve. Charles and Elisabeth, though shaken, understood the gravity of the situation and nodded in agreement as well. Gathering only the essentials, we prepared to depart.
Taking the lead, Marvel and I guided Charles and Elisabeth along the safest route out of their home. Max and Ethan, who had been keeping watch outside, joined us, ready to provide support and protection. As we made our way, the distant wailing of a siren reached our ears. Sensing imminent danger, I urgently instructed everyone to retreat into the house and find a hiding spot. Positioned behind the entrance door, I held a shotgun that belonged to Charles, bracing myself for what awaited us.
The siren eventually ceased, and a car came to a halt in front of the farmhouse. A man in uniform cautiously emerged, his hands resting near his holstered gun. After scanning the surroundings for a moment, he approached the entrance. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly grabbed him from behind, assuring him with all sincerity, "Don't move. I won't harm you." Complying with my request, he relinquished his gun, and Marvel and the others emerged from their hiding places. Elisabeth rushed forward and embraced her son, pleading, "Please don't hurt my boy." With unwavering determination, the man asked, "What do you want from us?" displaying no trace of fear in his voice.