**ANTONY SANTOS**. "Put me down."She requested, moaning weakly yet still trying to prove stubborn and feisty."Tracy. There's a freaking exchange of fire. This is not the time to be acting tough!""I'm not acting tough, I can take care of myself. I can certainly run by myself. Put me down!"She ravaged drawing the attention of around."Fine. Fuck!"everyoneI screeched, placing her on the ground.I turned and the exchange was between the agents and the Russians."Fuck no."I turned and Ethan was holding Tracy. Wait a moment. She was right beside me a minute ago, how did she get into the arms of that fucker!"Let her go!"I seethed, he tilted her head to check her features ignoring my command.``I said let her go. Didn't you hear me!"I thundered, getting upset."Are you blind! Can't you see that she's in pain. Stop being such a fool and let me help her! It seems you've done nothing to help her!"He matched my tone, wrappi
**MR SCOTT**. "I said I understand and all, but I truly don't. I'm losing my patience and I'm not sure how long I can go without trying to escape.""Well there's no problem with that, it's my job to stop you."That was meant to come as a joke, but this agent was serious.I couldn't leave this place even if I tried."We have to put our trust in the system and they can do what's necessary for the safety of everyone.""That suggests that my daughter's life might be secondary compared to the people they are after, the Russian mob and all. That's what you mean isn't it?"I asked. The agent didn't respond but his face says it all. I wasn't wrong."We would do what it takes, Sir. Please just trust.."A ring tone began playing from his pocket.Well that's interesting.He gave me a look before reaching into his pocket, pulling the cell out, he clicked a button then placed it over his ear."Hello."There was a short pause, he didn't speak as well. He listened to whoever was on the other en
**ANTONY SANTOS**. Now I'm feeling useless.Agent Michael is out there looking over the phone to see if there's anything to recover, the fucker is priding himself with the fact that Tracy choose him over me and practically everyone else, her father is well available to keep her company while old me is seating here and mopping around. Maybe Michael will have something for me to do once he returns.He's been gone for over ten minutes which could be a good sign."Sorry I took too long."I heard a long exhale then the sound of someone seating beside me, maybe if I wasn't tooengrossed with my thoughts I could've realized that sooner."It's fine, I didn't have anywhere to joke anyway."I chuckled so it'll seem like I made a joke, I'm okay with it. When in fact it wasn't funny and I didn't appreciate the joblessness."I checked in with tech and they haven't been able to get through to the phone, the damage was extensive so they
**ANTONY SANTOS**. I stirred in my sleep. What's with that incessant ringing that won't go away?Jerking awake, the sound tuned in better.It was an alarm. A blaring alarm not the kind used in waking people up, it's the type usuallyconnected to schools and offices in case of fire hazards.It meant danger.Tracy.My first thought was of her safety, I jumped out of bed and made for the door.It was an idea to sleep, God knows what's happening."You said you'll wake me up if anything happens."I whispered, closing my mouth while trying to get the words out."I was just about to. I promise.""I don't believe you all too well now. What happened? Why is the alarm going off?""That's to get all the personnel here.""Why?"Michael is speaking as though I work here and I'm familiar with all their codes and signals."That's because they might be needed.""Please get to the point Michael. Should I be worried about something?""Not
**AGENT MICHAEL**"Tracy, please don't cry. I never meant to make you cry, you just got out of a kidnapping, you can't be crying."I reached out for her hand. She didn't flinch, I gave it a little squeeze and her tears reduced to sobs then finally light sniffles."You are a strong woman Tracy.""Oh yeah? I do not feel very strong."She could barely speak without shaking or shuddering."You are. You survived two psychotic men and scaled through without any trauma.""Right, just several concussions."She said sarcastically."Well there can't be wars without injuries, I just need you to know that you are very strong. Others would have faltered and broken down, but you didn't. You're standing strong and you're still here. You just gave us a clue that will help the case. That's a lot.""Yes I know. I'm strong, bold, and confident. That'sall I've been told to do my entire life, that's how I was brought up and although it might seem strange, that was my life."She choked on a sob."Then it
**ANTONY SANTOS**. Focus. For Tracy. For her and only her. I may never get a thank you or an appreciation letter, I might not get anything, but she will be alive.Remember that Antony ."I can do this, my emotions will not get in the way, I assure you."I said definitively."I'm not bothering myself with talks about if you're feeling fine or up to it, you're not. You're going through shitty stops well aren't we all? suck it up and save the woman you care about or let that man right there, in that other room at the end of that corridor get out on the streets once again and take her from you. It's your choice."He crossed his arms."How are we keeping me away from the public eye or it's finally time to clean about my false death and Tracy's come back. If she's in the open, it'll be hard for someone to plan an attack.""I believe it's best that Tracy remains here but the director will be addressing the press. It's America, s
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "Level with me Antony , I need to know what you're thinking. It's the only way I can help."I paced around the car."They must have had an extraction point. An airplane or something. His men might be there as well. If we can get to them on time, then they can lead us to the next bunker. I'm sure that's where he'll be headed to and I bet inside there'll be lots of incriminating evidence against him."I snapped my fingers."That's not a bad idea at all, but would they still be there if Antonov didn't make it. It's been hours.""They'll be acting under his orders for sure and he's been inside a holding cell. The only call he's made was to his...""Lawyer."I gulped."That's why his lawyer was in a hurry to see him. Antonov gave him the coordinates to tie that end!"I rushed back to our car."Wait, Antony , you're losing me now. What are you talking about?""I think Antonov called Mr Howard, not for any le
**AGENT MICHAEL**"I think it's illegal to point your weapon at a civilian simply because you're an officer of the law."He gritted his teeth. I took the safety off."Alright. Call my bluff and move, I'll shoot you in just the place that'll hurt you but still keep you breathing long enough to throw your ass in jail."I was assured.Antony rushed back to me.After speaking with him, he went back to the restaurant. My instincts told me to check them first, if I listened to them instead we wouldn't have six people dead and one in critical condition.Ugh. Anyway, it's done now and what I can do is look towards the future. The simple future that entails nailing this bastard for all he's done."I guess you heard him. We have confirmation of you walking out from a restaurant that six people died in. Those gloves might mean we won't find your prints on them, but you're going to have a field day explaining why you were there, I'm sure if that man survives he'll testify that you are responsibl
**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