The whole family ate dinner silently that morning with Eden excluded.
"Where is Eden?" Juliet whispered to Clement who was sitting beside her."I don't know, he's sleeping" ... Clement replied grumpily."Is he alright?" Tracy whispered to him"I don't know, go check on him yourselves.." He grumbled."What's the matter with you all?" Grace asked, looking at the children."Nothing mom, we were just asking about Eden," Juliet replied"What is your business with him?" She asked"Um.. He's not here for breakfast so I was worried.. Don't know if he is alright.." Juliet replied."Maybe we could go check on him!" Tracy voiced."You will do no such thing! Now eat and go to your rooms now!" Grace slammed and they all nodded fearfully before turning to their meals.He laid on the bed with his body aching so hard. He couldn't get the memories of last night off his head. He had cried out his eyes till morning without Clement noticing. The verbal abuses he received from Derrick was nothing compared to this one, he reasoned.
The door opened and Juliet rushed in with Tracy and the nanny.
"Eden!" They both cried, jumping on the bed to meet him. They tried to touch him but he flinched."Are you ok Eden?" The nanny asked curiously"I'm...I'm.. Hmm…" He mumbled"Eden are you alright... " Juliet asked trying to touch him"Ouch!" He screamed again"Look at bite marks all over your skin.." Tracy remarked on sighting the bite marks on his bare chest."Did you fight with someone? Your lips are swollen.." The nanny said"No... I'm.. I'm.. Fine." He cried with a tear escaping from his eyes."Eden, what's the matter with you? Talk to me.." Juliet pleaded ardently.Just then, the door opened, showing Grace at the doorpost."What are you all doing here?" She asked menacingly."Um.. They requested to see Eden…" The nanny stammered and a slap landed on her face."How dare you disobey my orders!" Grace yelled as she stood in front of the nanny angrily."Mom, it wasn't her fault…" Juliet cried"Now both of you, get out now!" She screamed and the girls ran out in fear."Don't try to disobey me again, else you're gonna be fired!" Grace threatened."Yes ma'am…" The nanny quivered and rushed out of the room. Grace turned to Eden on the bed. He got up and shifted backwards to the wall. She smirked before walking out.He couldn't help but lay on his bed sobbing all through that morning.***The other night, He was sleeping peacefully on the bed close to Clement when he felt a hand on his shoulders. He flinched as he woke up jerkily. He couldn't see properly as the room was dim."Hush...." She motioned to him and took his hands."No.. Ma..am..!!!" He cried but she sealed her palm on his lips. He cried with fear as his whole body trembled."Up... " She whispered to him and he got up slowly from the bed. The noise woke Clement who had been fast asleep. He yawned and turned to see Eden standing up from the bed with someone holding his hands."Eden?" Clement called, rubbing his palms against his eyes."Oh.. Son, you're awake. .." Grace fumbled."Mom?" Clement called in surprise"Yes dear, shouldn't you be sleeping?" She asked"Where are you taking Eden?" He asked"Oh.. He forgot to eat his dinner before going to bed, and your dad says, no skipping dinners" She lied and Clement went back to sleep again.
Eden followed her slowly to her room and she shut the door gently as soon as they entered the room."Hush.. No alarms," she whispered to him as she laid him on the bed. He began to cry as she began to undress him again."Ma'am please don't.. He cried, placing his hands to shield his thighs. She flung his hand away and smirked."Stop acting like a little boy. I know you're not a child anymore... You taste better than your father.." She remarked as she smacked her lips.He shut his eyes as she laid on him unclad to satisfy her dark desires one more time.***"Did mom really take Eden out of the room last night?" Juliet asked with surprise as she stared at Clement the next morning."Yeah.. She says he skipped dinner.." Clement replied while writing on his books. He had just related to his sisters what he saw last night and they were getting worried about Eden always staying up in his room to cry all day."We all ate dinner together last night.." Tracy chipped in."Yeah.. Tracy's right... I need to speak with Eden" Juliet said, trying to walk away when she bumped into her mother."Where to?" She asked"Um.. Eden," he's been in his room all day, I want to check on him.." She replied"I've told you to stay away from him, haven't I?" She thundered."But mommy.. He's our brother" Tracy snapped."Clement and Paulo are the only brothers you've got so get that into your head!" She slammed. "Now to your rooms!" She ordered.**He was lying on his bed, sobbing silently when the door opened and the nanny walked in with his food. He had refused to touch his food all morning."Eden, are you ok?" She asked, dropping his food on a stool. He didn't reply."Eden," she called, walking towards him on the bed. He turned to look at her with swollen red eyes."What! What's the matter with you Eden?" She panicked."She.... She.." He stammered. The door opened at once and Grace walked in.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, looking at the nanny angrily."Um ma'am I'm trying to make him eat..". She replied."Take the food away, his father is home now. Eden, your dad wants to see you," she said to him. He nodded in fear and stood up slowly from the bed."What are you still doing here?" She asked, looking at the nanny."Sorry ma'am," the nanny said and walked out immediately."Now that your father is back, I want you to be a good boy. Wipe your tears and act like nothing is happening ok? Beause if you dare spill a word to him, I'll kill you and dump your body in the sea" She threatened and he nodded in fear."Eden," Emilio called as he saw his son walking down the stairs slowly. He had just arrived from a business trip. The other kids surrounded him while he cuddled Paulo in his arms."Hey son, are you ok? You look emaciated," Emilio remarked as Eden walked closer to him. He kept silent, staring at everyone."Dad, Eden is not fine. He cries everyday and Clement...." Juliet tried to speak"Julie!!" Grace exclaimed, cutting Juliet short."What is it, honey?" Emilio asked, turning to Grace."Um, nothing, it's fine. Um, they have assignments to do.. Now all of you, upstairs," she ordered to the children."Except Eden, I need to talk to my son," Emilio said, looking at Eden who looked so pale and unhealthy. Grace swallowed hard and she turned to Eden as the other kids left. She gave him a menacing look and he flinched."What is wrong with you son?" Emilio asked, pulling him closer.Eden kept silent as he stared at his father and down to Grace who still had the menacing look on her face.
"Grace, is he ok?" Emilio asked, turning to face her."He's standing right in front of you, so let him speak..," Grace voiced."Eden, tell me, what's wrong with you?" Emilio asked again and a tear escaped from the boy's eyes."Eden!! Talk to me!" Emilio persisted anxiously."Honey, he's fine. He's just having a hard time away from his mom, he cries all night calling her name.." Grace lied."Is that true?" Emilio asked, turning back to his son.Eden remained silent and continued to sob. He saw Grace's eyes piercing him from behind and he nodded at once."Oh ... You have to forget your mother.She doesn't care about you, ok?" Emilio said, wiping the tears off his face. "Come on, go upstairs and play with your siblings" He comforted.
He nodded and hurried out immediately.**He laid on his bed sobbing silently. He could have just spilled out everything to his dad, what if he doesn't believe him? He asked himself. He thought of running away but he had nowhere to go, he didn't know his way to grandma's house nor Mrs Sergio. The pains were getting too much for him to bear, well now that his father is back, she would stop coming for him he reasoned.Just then, the door opened and Grace walked in with Clement beside him."Eden, pack your things because from now henceforth, you will be sleeping alone in your own room.." She ordered."But... I'm... I'm..ok here..." He protested"Clement is no longer comfortable with you here, there is a bigger room prepared for you.." She said, forcing a smile on her lips.He knew what she was up to. Fear gripped him at the thought of sleeping alone. He had so many nightmares already."Be fast Eden," she smirked and he stood up at once and began packing his clothes.All through that night, he couldn't sleep as he continued to battle with nightmares. He dreamt of Derrick stabbing him with a knife and Grace coming to take him. He woke up from the bed soaked with perspiration. He continued to pant heavily as he looked around the dark room. He rubbed his palm on the necklace given to him by Julius as tears flowed down his cheek. He wrapped himself with the blanket and began to sob again as his body trembled with fear. All through Emilio's stay in the house, she didn't come for him and everything became normal again. One night he heard his door creaking, followed by footsteps. He woke up vehemently, looking around in fear. The lights were dim but he could see her silhouetted figure standing in front of him. She walked closer to the bed and pulled him closer to herself. "Hush…" She muttered inaudibly with her fingers on his lips. He began to fidget as she caressed his body, running her hands through his thighs. "Pl...e..as.." He cried but she
The cold morning breeze swept across his face as he struggled to raise his eye lids. The nightmares were here again. This time around he saw Grace and Derrick laughing maniacally as they chased after him from behind. "No... No... No!!!!! No!!!!!" He screamed and woke up panting heavily. He looked around the room fearfully and noticed he was in a strange place. "Hey... Are you ok?" He heard a lady's voice converging the room. The room was bright with the lights from the sun penetrating from the windows. She walked Into the room dressed in a black nightie and he flinched on sighting her. "Hey. .. Don't be scared…" She said as she approached him on the bed. "Where I'm...I'm..I?" He asked fearfully as he continued looking around the room. "You're safe with me..I've succeeded in reaching your grandma and she's on her way here" she replied with a warm smile. On hearing that, his nerves relaxed and he exhaled deeply. His body ached badly and his lips were sore and swollen. He held on
He laid close to grandma peacefully on the bed that night. He was half unclad with only his pyjamas on. Grandma was fast asleep but he wasn't, as he paid attentions to each noise coming out from the room. Ever since his experience with Derrick and Grace, he had learnt a lesson which is" never to be fast asleep ". He wakes up every night at the slightest noise, thinking it was Grace or Derrick coming to hunt him. But on this very night, he heard the door creaking from the living room and he thought it was one of his imaginations. Then he heard footsteps. He got up at once, looking around the dark room. He looked at his grandma who was fast asleep on the bed and he thought of waking her up when he heard faint voices coming from the living room. His heart began to beat fast. "Grandma…" He called in a faint voice but she didn't respond. "Granny…" He called while tapping her shoulders. She moved slowly on the bed and let out a yawn. "What is it son?" She asked grumpily. "Hush...." He w
"Halt Gabriel! Halt! " Grabriella screamed as her husband tried to get away after hitting the boy. "What is the matter with you Ella? We need to get out of here before people notice we just hit a boy!" He slammed as he hit on the brakes. "Can't you see the boy's in danger? He's probably running away from someone or something, we need to help before they get to him... " She said in panic "That's none of our business Ella, remember we need to get home quickly before the police come after us!" Gabriel protested. Gabriella fumed as she looked behind the car and noticed flashlights coming out of the bush. She saw three men walking out of the bush and they all stood in front of the boy. "I knew it! They're after his life! " She slammed "That's their business, we need to get out of here, '' Gabriel said as he started the engine. "Hold it Gab, what if they hurt him?" Gabriella asked, turning to face him "Ella these people are gonna notice us soon that we're watching over the boy.
He laid with his back flat on the bed as he stared at the ceilings. Grandma's death was still so fresh in his memory and he hadn't been so scared all his life. What would happen now that grandma is gone? He thought as a tear escaped his eye. Thoughts of revenge crept his into his mind as he flashed back to the night she was murdered. The fear he once felt was gone and all he could think of was revenge and granting justice to his grandma. He hated his parents so much and he wished the Gabriels could keep him forever. This was the third day since he had been with them and he still doesn't know who they are. They are well reserved people and you barely see them around the house. But the care they gave him made him feel so much comfortable with them. The door opened and the little boy walked into the room. His name was Ray. "Hi, "Eden greeted him Ray gave him a scornful look and walked to the closet. They share a room together and ever since he came, he had noticed how unhappy Ray
TWENTY YEARS LATER The whole town was thrown into panic as the police vehicle chased after a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The news of the bank robbery was all over the town. Fear gripped everyone as they knew it could be no other gang than the " Ghost gang" who had struck again. "How many kilometers clear?" He asked as he drove the Chevrolet roughly along the road "20km boss! " A voice answered through the small device on his ears "Good! Now hack into the system and disconnect the CCTV, we're almost there, " he ordered "Yes boss! " The voice replied again "Spider, make the call now!" He ordered to the boy sitting beside him "Yes boss, " the boy replied exuberantly He reduced the speed of the car as the sounds of the police siren could no longer be heard. He made an upturn and drove into a large field with a lot of scrap vehicles occupying it. The field was void of people and everywhere was as calm as a graveyard. A black Honda accord and a blue hay truck rode into the field along
"The Mollan bank robbery has left the whole of Buenos city in disarray. The criminals made away with the sum of mxn250,000,000 after breaking into the bank at midday. The state CCTV couldn't capture the whole of the incident as the system experienced a bug during the chase in which the criminals were able to get away. A Chevrolet Camaro ZLI was also found engulfed in flames and the Chimalpa police have confirmed that the Chevrolet was used by the criminals during the robbery. As at the time of filing this report, no arrest has been made since all traces to the gang have proved abortive. Investigations are still ongoing and we're still waiting and hoping for the criminals to be apprehended so peace and order could once more be restored to the society". He watched as the female reporter ardently read the early morning news. "They made away with the bank's money... Maybe they're trying to punish me for something I don't really know, but whoever is behind the crime should be read
PRESENTThe sound from his brogue shoes could be heard as he walked stylishly into the police department, accompanied by two of his men. Some of the female police officers stared at him as he walked in well dressed in a black suit. The smell of his Cologne was perceived by everyone he walked past and they couldn't help but turn to look at him. The sun glasses he wore fitted his looks and the girls couldn't help but wink at him. He waved at some of them as he walked by and they giggled.No doubt he was popular here at the CPD. This was not his first time being invited by the inspector for questioning. Every time a crime occurs in the city, he is interrogated several times.Being amongst the richest and one of the most famous youth in the whole of Chimalpa, his wealth had always been questioned by the state. A lot of people knew him as the leader of the most notorious gang in the city but there was no proof linking him to the gang. He was into animal farming, Fast foods and car rentals,
10 YEARS LATER MAXIMUM SECURITY CAMP, JUAREZ The lights fluctuated and the sounds of his leather boots could be heard as he walked hastily through the hallway. Holding a tray of tea, he kept a straight face as he walked past the warders and the heavily armed men mounting in front of the cells on both sides of the hallway. He took a left turn where he could see a passageway holding up to three cells. Two heavily armed policemen could be seen patrolling along the passage which was as calm as a graveyard. He stopped in front of the cell with a number tag, G3. The sound of the steel gate could be heard as it opened wide and he walked into the cell slowly. She rose up from the bunker bed and heaved a sigh as she turned to face him. Her lips curved into a mischievous smile as she saw him holding the tray with his head bowed. "Gracias" she muttered with a smile as she took the tray from him and he turned to walk away immediately. She sat on the bed with the tray resting on her legs.
"Hey," Julius called as he walked over to him with a glass of fruit juice in his hand. "Hey man," Eden called as he munched his fries "You know, I'm proud of you" Julius said with a smile He nodded "Thank you for being a true friend" he said and Julius smiled. "You know, Smoke's perspective about you has changed a lot. He no longer sees you as an enemy to the state" he said "Oh, really?" Eden asked in surprise "Yeah. He sends his regards. He has been transferred away from chimalpa" he said and he nodded. "My mom sends her regards too. She's really happy right now that you did the right thing. She has spent a couple of months praying for you" he said and Eden smiled "I wish I could meet her one more time" he said and they both smiled. "Eden, my worst fear is life in prison for you. You know how many of those guys you've put in there and they're probably waiting for you right now" he said anxiously He gulped and exhaled. "I know and I've been thinking about that. I will have
He stood up from the bunker bed as he heard the sound of the steel gate opening. He has been placed in the city's minimum security prison before his transfer to a maximum security prison in Joanesco. He followed behind the warder as they walked through the hallway which holds different cell rooms. A few armed men in uniforms could be seen, mounting in front of the prison cells. He was led into a large field in the open where he could see a few inmates who were having a good time with their family and friends. Heavily armed Security personnels could be seen, patrolling around the facility which was fenced all round. His face beamed with smiles as he saw his family and friends waving over him at the field. As he walked closer to them, he could see Jessica running to meet him. "Eden!" She cried as she hugged him tightly. He held her closely for a while as everyone watched with smiles on their faces. He looked ahead of her and he could see His father and mother standing with his sist
There was tension in court as Nanny Cassie was called up into the witness dock. Grace shut her eyes for a moment as she saw the Nanny who was standing on the dock with her head bowed. After taking the oath, Tracy began to throw series of questions at her. "How long have you been working at the Smith's mansion?" She asked "For almost three decades" she stated "Great. Now as a Nanny who has witness a lot that has been ongoing in the Smith's mansion, tell us what you know about the abuse case and Mrs Grace's involvement in the murder of Mrs Rodrigo Eden's grandmother" she continued. "When Eden was taken back to the mansion, I began to notice a few unusual things about him. He sometimes refuses his meals, and he becomes emaciated. Sometimes, he would lock himself up in the room and I would hear him cry. One night, I saw Grace take him out of his room and she led him into the Master's room while he was away on a business trip. I tiptoed and leaned on the door listening to their voices
There was a pandemonium in the court premises as a lot of chants could be heard by the crowd who had gathered in front of the court gate, holding placards and banners as they continued to sing and chant in Spanish. "libertad al rey!!"(Freedom to the King) were the words that could be heard echoing around the whole place as the young men and women tried to gain entry into the court premises. The police and other security agencies could be seen, trying to enforce peace and order as they engaged the crowd who were causing a pandemonium over the premises with their chants. As the police van zoomed into the court premises, the chants increased and the gate of the Court was shut immediately while the crowd continued to chant outside. He was led out of the police van with Spider beside him. As he looked back at the crowd, he was filled with awe and his eyes welled up as he saw the crowd which was made up of mainly students from the states University chanting his name gracefully. The pres
Her wide full lips broke into a warm smile as she watched him being led into the visitors room with a policeman beside him. As he walked closer to her, his face beamed with a smile and he couldn’t explain the feelings of seeing her here again. “Hey,” she called with a smile as he took the seat facing her. He kept silent and stared at her face for a moment, with his face full of smiles “What?” She asked with a chuckle “You’re getting robust” he blurted and they both laughed. They kept silent for a moment with their eyes burning into each other. “I miss you Eden, i want you to come out of all this” she broke into tears immediately He heaved a sigh as his heart became heavy ``Jess, stop it” he said with emotions written all over his voice. She sniffed and wiped the tears off her face as she raised up her head to look at him. “You don’t really have to go to prison. You have an unborn child Eden, you have me” she cried and he looked away from her sadly. “I’m sorry for putting you
"Take a look at this shit dad! It's all over the papers!" He yelled as he dropped the newspaper on the table before his father "She deserves more than this!" Emilio yelled from his seat "Really? And you believe the trash your criminal son said back there? No! That's trash. You didn't even stand up for her! You didn't care about the family's name!" He continued "Enough Clement!" He yelled as he stood up angrily. "Your mother raped my seven years old son! How does it sound in your ears?!" He slammed. The door opened and Tracy walked into the house with Juliet. "What's going on?" She asked "He is taking sides with his mother," Emilio related "What! Are you dumb?!" Juliet barked as she walked towards him angrily "Put yourself in Eden's shoes. I don't think you can withstand any of those pains he went through" Tracy put in as she walked close to him. "You all can say trash for all I care. And you know what, I will be defending my mother in court!" He stated as he wore his glasses
"Overwhelmed by shock, I screamed and the men chased after me. As I ran out of the woods, I was hit by a car which happened to be Gabriel's car. He and his beloved wife Ella, rescued me that night from the hands of those men. I became obsessed with the thought that someone was after my life. And when Gabriel introduced me to the gang, I wasted no time in accepting his offer. I was only eight when I became a gangster. And since then, I've been consumed with vengeance and hoping one day I would have my vengeance on the people who killed grandma and all those who had hurt me" he related as he looked at Grace sternly. “And since then, they haven’t stopped coming for me. I was arrested at the airport because of i was setup by my step mother whi is sitting here with us in court” he spilled and the whole court was thrown into an uproar again. “Maxwell, standing beside me here can attest to the fact that he was offered a payment by mrs Smith to frame me up so i would end up behind bars” he
Police sirens could be heard all over the court premises and members of the press team could be seen filling the whole place with cameras and microphones. A TV reporter could be seen in front of the court house, reporting live on TV. Security personnels could also be seen, patrolling the premises as they tried to install order in the court. As he was led out of the police vehicle, he was covered by members of the press who were trying to get further information from him. He was led into the courtroom with Spider beside him. As he was led into the dock, he smiled wryly as he saw his family seated in the front row. His eyes caught with Grace who was sitting close to Clement. Their eyes met and she smirked. He gulped and looked away from her as he saw his mother walking into the courtroom hastily. He could see her walking past Grace towards Emilio who was seated at the end of the chair. "What do you think you are doing?" Grace asked from where she sat She waved her hair backwards an