**ANTONY SANTOS**Recall how I sang the praises of him for planning an operation so spotless that little or no error could easily be detected, I didn't sing his praises quite well enough. He rose past my expectations after the debrief was over. The plan was full proof, it was calculated in such a way that no one could stop them, without having me on the inside that is.For starters, they didn't pick six men like before when Jericho was in charge, they used just Tina and me. They picked us because of the close relationship, they chose us knowing we had a direct entrance to the building with no questions asked by anyone. It was the best decision with just one flaw, two actually, maybe more but I'll figure those out as I go. The first was Tina. Her thirst was growing by the minute. Being this close to her definition of revenge took a nasty turn on her as the hours clocked by. She grew impatient and angry. This was vengeance if she had the decency to admit it to herself at the very least.
**TRACY SCOTT**Twenty four hours. Time seemed to go slow and fast at the same time.. time. It was excruciatingly slow when I waited by my bed for any news of Antony, his whereabouts, his safety, and mine since it seemed linked up to this point. I watched the clock and with each tick crying inside for what had befallen him. Nothing came. No one said a Goddamn word about it.Then suddenly, the news of the fire arrived. In over a decade, there hadn't been any news about the company, bad that is. There had been plenty. Aside from staff coming in and leaving, there wasn't any newsworthy thing to note that might ruin the company's reputation, my dad kept it off-limits. He ensured the company, my legacy was protected at all costs. Which brings a very suspicious fire. I had no doubt "it" was involved somehow. What was the purpose? Destroy the entire company? Antony wouldn't let that happen no matter what, even if it meant hurting himself. I cringed at the thought, but the sad truth. Did he
**TRACY SCOTT**It's not real. I kept repeating it. Over and over again. Maybe if I can't do it over a hundred times, it'll be true. I was well aware of Tina tugging my full weight down the stairs, she pointed the gun at the maids, they stood still, letting her pass. Even if there wasn't a gun to their faces, they'll let her take me willingly. I'm sure they're jubilating in their minds, the wicked witch is finally getting what's coming to her. After over two decades of being the brat who ruins everyone's life, she's finally getting a full scoop of her own medicine. I knew their thoughts. I was well aware of how everyone faked their pleasure around me, no one liked me. I can't blame them. I'm a terrible person, I deserve this.Whatever Tina and it was going to do to me, I deserved it and many more. I didn't struggle, I kept a neutral expression and let her take me out through the door, I kept my gaze on something else instead. My bloody hands, shirt, pants. His blood. It splattered on
68**TRACY SCOTT**Antony 's died. He died. Just as Tim did, except his head wasn't cut off, he was shot in cold blood, now he's dead. Once more, I'm fully responsible for this happening.I wrapped both arms around my waist, shaking tenderly, resting my head against the floor blood, my heart rate was elevated, I couldn't breathe properly any longer. A huge lump rose in my chest, clogging my airway. I stood up, hyperventilating, walking around the room while trying to catch my breath. He's dead. He's dead. Antony 's gone..I'll never see him again because of my actions. He died because of me.I heard a hissing sound, I turned and the air conditioning begah filling the room with a substance. Once I inhaled it, I felt dizzy, rushing rushing on to something stiff.For once I was glad he was knocking me out, I'll be haunted in my dream for sure, but while I'm awake I'll feel awful.Moments later, I slumped to the floor, the effects of the gas working quicker than expected."Antony, forgive
69**TRACY SCOTT**The sweet scent of food reached my nostrils giving me no other option than to wake up. My eyes fluttered open and beside me was a table filled with several dishes, a glass of water, then a gallon beside it."You may eat. I've gotten what I wanted from you. I wanted you to beg. Get on your knees. Fully broken. Unable to do any other thing than beg. I wanted you to resolve torn to pieces, that's exactly what I got. You may eat."The speaker went off. I'm not sure I heard those words currently, I'm not certain I cared much either. I sat straight, crawled to the other side, and held the bed for stamina. The back of my head had been bandaged due to my fall, it still hurt badly. On the table, I saw a sachet containing several pills, turning the back to read, I realized they were pain killers. I'd take them after eating.Since I had a full gallon, I used the water in the cup to rinse my hands then dug into each plate. I started with the rice, then added the vegetables and
70**THIRD PERSON**THE Paramedics arrived on the scene. The actual reason for the swift response was the state of the victim inside according to the 911 caller. She stated that the person was on the verge of dying. They didn't stop to think that the person might be a help or maybe a maid, or cook. Their first thought was simplyTracy Scott . Her father got the call and rained the entire force on his house. No one knew of his personal whereabouts, he was coordinating with the FBI trying to find out who exactly was responsible for the kidnappings , and the reign of terror as a whole.He placed the guards, cameras, and was assured of his daughter's safety. Imagine the reaction he gets when the call comes through.Mr Scott is on his way back from the headquarters, eyes blazing red, hands shaking, all his thoughts and prayers on his daughter. Little does he know; she's not the object of excitement. What should he think? Feel better that his daughter might be alive, or be sad that she isn'
71** Mr Scott **"What do you mean? I think you're a sham or a liar, or maybe this seems like a sick and twisted joke to you, but aside from the fact that the man in there risked his Life for my daughter, he is also the key to finding her, it is of paramount importance that they both survive, that means they are of equal importance, your idea of helping me is to kill him? This was a mistake. I should be by his side, just in case he falls into a critical state again."I proceeded to stand up, keeping a lid on my brimming anger. This was a very big mistake. He might not even be an agent."Seat down Mr Scott . Your Impatience is going to turn out to be a big problem. I suggest you keep a lid on it. Hear me out before bursting into anger and letting annoyance take the driver seat ""You're talking in parables! My daughter is out there with a psychopath. He's doing God knows what. Antony Santos is on the brink of dying. I'm spiraling. I don't know where it's going to attack next. Me? I h
72****TRACY SCOTT**~One Week After AbductionThe second I got up, I picked the fork from last night and crossed an "I" by the bedside. With my counting, it was seven in number. Exactly one week since my kidnap. A quick recap. I was in and out for the first seventy two hours, three days, then I woke up. After which I was sedated with gas in and out once more for forty eight hours, and then in the past Forty eight hours, I've been treated like a queen. He gives me food, I shower at least twice every day, the bed gets more comfy, and it wasn't against my will, I'd be grateful.That's just it. It's not my will, I have no intentions of being semi locked up in a room with no means of freedom, not seeing the sun properly, not feeling its warmth under my skin, not watching a bloody movie or scrolling through my friend's insta. Instead, I'm acting like a cave woman with her hair messed up from lack of brushing, marking the walls with a fork to keep track of time. It's all part of my plan sa
**TRACY SCOTT**. "Where do you want to go?"Jimmy asked, dirverting into the main road.It's a miracle we've even gotten this far without any reporters trying to bash into the car or take pictures. Maybe they don't have vans?I'm almost sure Father would have gotten the news by nowThey've flock around the office begging for a comment or the house.I expected it. In fact I want it.The more influence I have, the more people get to hear the truth.Father can't oppose this even. That man killed his wife. He took me for days and now they're going to just let him go.Well I'll be dammed.Just like clockwork, my cell began ringing.Lucky guess it's Ethan. He's calling to rant aboutIt'll be rude not to answer, plus I'm not ashamed of what I've done I'll repeat it if necessary."What is it?"I snapped. From the corner, Jimmy's brows shot up."I just wanted to say congratulations. I'm happy you're going to do something that n
**TRACY SCOTT**. Murmurs. Bickering. Incessant sounds that's currently irking. Echoing in my ear and makes me want to scream. Maybe they'll shut up.More reporters are gathering since I've gotten what I wanted. For this to air live. For the entire world to hear me.For the whole world to see and understand my plague. To know why I went through and decide for themselves if what's going to happen is the right thing. It's not. They know it. It's why they'll stand up and stop it. I hope."Everyone is eager to understand what I'm about to say. I'll tell you and since this is live, there won't be any miscommunication."My eyes went above their heads as the teachers would advise us while we gave our speeches. I wished I hadn't done that though.For the side entrance, I noticed Antony burst out with Ethan behind him.Perfect. I had all the media attention, they weren't affected by two men.I turned away. Antony's eyes move
TRACY SCOTT**. Jimmy loves me. I should not be considering that with everything that's happening and all that's at stake, but in some weird way I can't help the tingles all around me with the realization that Jimmy loves me.He's actually in love with me. I know that because what we about to do is similar to jumping off a cliff with no safety on, he's willing to do that.I think he is. Maybe he'll just walk me up to it, tell me what to do then leave me hanging.He'll remain neutral in the dealings and I'll face the music myself.I would not blame him. It's typically the smart thing to do.Ethan. Antony. They should all stay away from me. The best thing to do is taking it all head on.In fact involving anyone else will just make matters worse.I'm the center piece of everything.It started with me. It should end with me."Are you reconsidering it? I won't lie to you, it'spolitical suicide, that what we would call it
**TRACY SCOTT**. "How about here, it says foreign nationals who have committed a crime...""We can't use that, they'll argue that he didn't actual commit the crime.""That would make no sense?"I cringed my nose in utter confusion."In theory, it would not but if they did that, they'll make a center piece of the American justice system, they'll bring it out on the open for anyone interested to ask as many questions as they'd like and trust me, there are some many people interested in the system.""Ugh."I fell on the chair, tossing the books aside."Maybe we take a five minutes break..."He was interrupted by my cell phone."I'm sorry, I should get this."I slipped my hand into my pocket silently praying it wasn't my father or Antony, in that case I won't have to get anything.It wasn't. Ethan was calling. From the burner. How nice."Yes?"I answered. No filter needed. I didn't want to talk to any of them from that p
153**TRACY SCOTT**. "Tracy wait! I'm confused because it's as though both of you just shut me out in an instant. What is going on here? One minute I think maybe in actually part of the team or whatever shit and the next you're gone with him, you disappear for almost half an hour. What happened?"I held my purse, twirling in the free space outside."Get rid of the substance in your car, we do not want anyone getting a whiff of what that thing might be. It won't do anyone good."I instructed instead of answering the question."Tracy. you're just avoiding the question and I thought you would not be mad for telling Antony.""I'm not mad. Come on, do I seem mad? If I dol apologise for giving you the wrong impression, I am not."I giggled, palming my lips to stiffen it when it got too weird."I'm sorry we didn't take you in with us. I only got ten minutes and somehow you were lost in between, it wasn't my intention."His
152**TRACY SCOTT**. You're weak. You're fragile. That's what they think. That's what they'll never say to your face, but it's the reason they pet you in believing things which aren't actually true.They're all liars. They've been lying to you for the longest time. That is the truth. You can't trust any of them.Those are Antonov's words from earlier today replaying in my head like a broken record.When he dropped the last bombshell, the concluding piece of the puzzle in my head, the little secret Antony was keeping, I grew numb while seating on that chair.I kept my hands folded, staring into space.My head was faced forward, probably making eye contact of some sort with him, but I was not there physically.My mind had wandered off, making up the scenes in my head.How it happened. Who she was. Why he did it.I created an answer for each of those questions after which more would just pop up. That's howmy mind work
**TRACY SCOTT**. I need a grip. A tight grip and maybe a lid. A grip on these whirling emotions inside me, like a storm and I'm in the fucking eye.An hour ago I was prepared, willing, and heaven knows I was ready to commit first-degree murder and not even blink.That's how mad I was. Was it anger? Or hurt? Or thirst for vergence? That would be fueled by either the former or latter before it?I'm not sure what it is, but it's there.I can feel it inside of it, it's burning and it keeps increasing with each passing minute.I would have killed that man, I would have done so without so much as blinking.That's how vicious I have become.Ethan was the only anchor left, if it wasn't for him I would have finished Antonov off.For now, I just need to stay in the same room with him.I need to look him in the eye and figure out why he ruined my life.Why did he kill my mother?Why did he start this goose chase for me decades
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "Why are you looking at me like that?"She asked after moments of silence reigned between us, neither bothering to utter a word. There weren't much seating positions in the gun range, so we merely relaxed our back over the wall, giving the other breathing space.Something I hadn't realised I needed, but I did."Like what?"I moved my shoulders, carefully flipping my front hair backwards and moving my eyes away which were raking her body with suspicion."Like I'm damaged goods. You're looking at me as though I'm damaged goods. It's what's going around and I can't seem to wrap my head around the look. It's getting annoying. Stop looking at me like that "She snapped, standing straight."I'm not looking at you like you're damaged goods. I would never think that, that's just being insensitive and anyone who is doing such hasn't the slightest clue of what you've been through nor has the right to judge
**ETHAN RAMIREZ**I searched the room with my eyes, it had cleared out leaving just us three. Antony and I standing metres away from one of the ranges, Tracy standing by the door with a smug look on her face that shows she's not exactly happy with either of us.What comes next is her feeling all too betrayed by both of us, but I'm sure Antony can handle it.I hope. I hope I didn't underestimate her angry she is at him, angry enough not to listen to a word he had to say, she has only made eye contact with him once since she walked in here and even then, she tore her gaze away quickly."I asked a question but it would seem no one is willing to give a weird answer. Since when did both of you become besties because that's what this seems. A get together for besties."She squirmed her shoulders, her tone dripping with sarcasm and mockery."Tracy..."She crossed her hand quickly, leaving one outside to place ahead of me and halt whatevermovement I had planned"I asked a question, Ethan. I