Chapter Six: Mercy

Death is inevitable. We can die in many ways and at any time and place. It is too early for me to die. I have not yet fulfilled my promises to my family. It's sad to think that I'm all alone but I'm still fighting for my life. After all, all I have is myself.

I looked at the man who was holding the gun. He has no mercy and he can kill people easily. I knew that I'm going to die here, but I didn’t expect that my mind will change. Why would I suddenly give up if I knew that there is a way to escape this situation. I can't let them just kill me like that. I know what I am fighting for is right and I will never regret what I did.

My heart was beating so fast, I no longer knew how to calm down. I have been in danger several times but now I have fallen into the trap. With too much courage, I didn't even realize that I was digging my own grave.

I was scared to death, but that is the only destination for everyone. So I am willing to sacrifice my life, as long as I knew that I died doing the right thing in this world.

My grip tightened on the cap I was holding. This is the only thing that I can’t lose and let go of. That night before my dad left, he told me that when I grow up I will become a brave woman. After that, he put this cap on my head. That's the memory that I always look back and remember.

I could notice the man stepping closer to me, I was trembling that I didn’t know what I was going to do next. When he slowly pointed the gun at me, I suddenly fell to my knees.

Whatever the courage and braveness that I have, I can do nothing but beg for my life. I couldn’t believe that it would get to the point where I would beg a criminal. I can't do anything else but this is the only way that I can think of. To beg and seek forgiveness.

''I know that you will never forgive me but I will apologize for what I have done, I'm sorry,'' I apologized and looked at him. There was no emotion on his face, he was just staring deeply into my eyes.

''I don't want to die yet. I still have many unfulfilled promises. Just let me go, I won't interfere anymore,'' I added, I tried to cry but no tears came out. I'm irritated by what I am doing right now. I shouldn't feel sorry, but this is the only way I can save my life. These people are merciless, but hopefully, there's a little mercy left in their hearts. I still believe that even bad people have the ability to do good things.

''Are you kidding me? You can't get me through your drama. I'm not a fool to let you go just like that,'' he said coldly. I looked up at him as I tightened my grip on his leg. The large wound in his neck that I stabbed using the knife was still bleeding, that's why he is mad at me even more. I gulped as I took a deep breath. I just hope that he can forgive me, I won't do that earlier if he didn't block my way.

''I promise that I will do whatever you want as long as you just let me live,'' I feared and begged, The gun that remained pointed at my head terrified me. I was scared at the moment when he shot it in my head.

I looked at his other companion who remained standing from behind. I knew all of them were shocked at what I am doing. My attention returned to the man in front of me and he did not lose his gaze off my eyes. I heard nothing from him but I could see his finger slowly pulling the trigger of the gun. Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt hopeless.

''Kill me now. My life is meaningless so I'd better just follow my grandmother. I might be even happier if I join them on the other side. I can't live anymore, I'm so tired of fighting alone,'' I cried, my tears were dripping as I thought of my family.

They are all gone. It would be better for me to die to be with them. I'm just clinging to his leg, I cried out loud while waiting for him to kill me and lose my life.

''Will you do everything to survive?'' he asked, I stopped crying and immediately looked up. I had hope again, but hopefully, he wouldn’t let me down. I wanted to stay alive.

''Y-yes, I will do everything, no matter how hard it is, I'll do it. I just want to live for my life,'' I assured while wiping my tears, I noticed that his jaw clenched. He still seems to be hesitant about my condition. I am not lying, I will not break my promise.

''Let's see if you can, but if you don't do what I want, with just one shot of this gun you will die,'' he warned, he hid the gun in his pocket. I was relieved that he hide it and I suddenly sat down on the ground. The man just ignored me and he was walking away.

''Get her, we'll take her to hell,'' I heard what he commanded to his companions. He looked at me for a while and then turned his back on me. I thought that I would be able to relax but I still have to deal with it. The condition that I offered.

Hell?! Are they going to torture me?!

The other men quickly approached me and dragged me away. They grabbed my hands violently. I tried to let go of their grip but they were strong. My body is also weakening, I was tired from running earlier.

''Wait?!! W-Where are you taking me?!'' I exclaimed while trying to get out of their grip. The four of them dragged me down the street and I'm trying to resist. I want to kick their ass one by one, they hold me as if I'm a pig that is ready to slaughter by a butcher.

''Just keep quiet so he won't change his mind. Just follow us if you don't want to go straight to hell,'' said the man who's holding my left arm.

The man's voice was familiar to me and he suddenly removed his mask. My jaw dropped when I saw his face. I was so shocked to recognize him. He also smiled as he looked at me like the way he did at the elevator.

''I'm glad to see you again!'' he greeted. He was the one I was within the elevator where I am trying to apply to a company and I still remembered his name. The first impressions don't last, I thought that he was kind and approachable but the truth is he was dangerous and terrible.

''Enzo?! Are you serious?! Are you among these madmen?!'' I asked incredulously. He scratched his head and was embarrassed to face me.

''Shh! You'll only know everything as long as you keep quiet woman!'' he commanded.

''What the hell! Why are you removing your mask?! Are you stupid,'' I looked at the guy dragging my right arm. He was also stupid cause he removed his mask. My eyes widened again, I feel like I'm going to faint when I see the man who was with Enzo, he is Alas. It just means that the two of them are at odds with what is happening.

I just kept quiet, my voice was also shaky, and couldn't believe what I was seeing. They dragged me inside the black van and cuffed my hands so that I will not be able to fight back. They also pushed me into the trunk and I sank there. I groaned in pain when my face hit the floorboard.

''Lock it there properly so she can't escape,'' I heard them talk outside. I just saw the guns, leashes, and other things here in the back. It looks like they plan to torture me, for sure they will make me suffer, and possibly they will throw me in the creek. It would be a pity if I die there. There is also a lake nearby so they can just drop me there. Drop me dead.

''Don't even try to run away,'' the other guy warned then closed the trunk door. I remained prone on the floor and when the car started to pull up, I tried to sit up. The car was running fast so I had a hard time building myself up.

My hands were cuffed behind my back so I have difficulty moving. I was worried about Officer Sebastian, I hope that he escaped, I was afraid of what would happen if ever he was caught again. For sure, they will kill him. I just leaned to the side while taking a deep breath. I was afraid of where they would take me and I do not know what to do.

I looked outside the window and noticed the raindrops on the glass. It was suddenly raining hard. I couldn't help but cry when I thought that I might not be able to escape anymore. I wanted to give up but I still want to fight for my life. It will be hard for me to live because I will suffer. I will be bounded in the hands of these evil men and I do not know how to escape and fight them.

''Are you serious Max? Why did you let that live? You break the rules. It's dangerous when that woman escapes,'' I heard the irritated voice of a man. They seemed to be arguing so I just listened.

''I thought that he was just joking but surprisingly he did not go ahead with his own rules and plans,'' another guy muttered. He did. I was right that there is a little mercy left in that man, even if he is the worst person in this world, he will feel that too.

He is also a human being, after all, that can do evil things but finds it difficult to do the right things. Tonight, he did a good thing and that is he has some mercy on me.

''You break the rules, Maximus,'' dictated by the other guy. I was a hindrance to their evil plan, but what I wonder now is why their leader didn’t kill me.

That man named Maximus, I have a big hunch about him. There’s a big reason why he didn’t kill me, he had a big secret to keep. I knew that he would use me to get what he wanted. I will not let him use me for his evil plans. If he is cunning I am more cunning. I also know how to cheat and I will do that to make it quits. I have to make a way, I don’t know when I will be able to think correctly, but I will make sure that I can do something to escape from this situation.

Those men were talking about me all along the way, if they just killed me right away they would have no problem. I was scared of them all but all I wondered now is who they were and why is Enzo and Alas with them?

I just can't believe that they are with these criminals. Enzo looked kind and Alas was strict, you can't recognize a person if you don't know their true color, some people are really dangerous. I also think that maybe the two of them are just pretending to be a worker there so they can easily target some people. They are cunning, they have deceived many people and made them believe that they are kind. Like Enzo, he is untrustworthy.

There are so many thoughts and things running through my mind, I don’t know what else to think. I was suddenly hit on the side here in the back when the car suddenly turned on the road. My forehead was hit hard on the side and after that, I felt blood dripping down on my face. My head hurts so much that I feel dizzy from the pain.

''H-help..,'' I weakly babbled. I could see that my vision had darkened and I had lost my consciousness.