**TRACY SCOTT**~Day Nine"Stand up. Both of you."He instructed, nudging his gun high in the air. I took that as cue to actually stand up then we did."Both of you, up against the wall. Raise your hands and place them against the wall. If either makes a move, I'll put a bullet through your brain."He threatned in a thick Russian accent."Maybe you should've kept the phone off speaker, so you can run around making threats I heard your boss instruct you to bring me alive, so these threats aren't for me. You can't touch me."I seethed and stood against the wall."You're just a little brat. My original orders were to kill you which I should've done while I had the chance, don't think for a second I'll show mercy to a stupid American. If you try anything, I'll shoot you. That goes for the both of you."He imitates an explosion and pulls both arms backwards, cuffing me before doing the same toEthan. "Go tell the boys we've secured them and we're leaving this place soon. Plant the explosive
**MR ANTONY SANTOS**~Day Nine"There's no time for blames to go around."Another voice spoke up. I turned my head in the direction it came from then ran my eyes over his body. He was built. That was the deep voice that kept speaking. The other figure was unknown but from the outfit he was putting on, I'll place on my bets that he was a doctor.I can thank him for opening my eyes, something I'd thought I could never do again. I left myself for dead. I've been given a second chance, I don't intend to waste it.The man by my left is a doctor, Mr Scott is standing in front of me, so who is the other man?"You're wondering who I am. I'm the man who saved your life or else you....""I'll stop you right there, I see the man with a coat by my left, he's the doctor. If I'm thanking anyone for my life, it'll be him. I don't know who you are, but you didn't save my life."How long was I gone? What happened that this man comes here. Who is he anyway?"Antony . Calm down."Joel Scott spoke up f
**TRACY SCOTT**~Day NineI looked away for a second, my eyes eventually landed on Ethan who noticed my discomfort. Without the cell, I've lost all hope to communicate with anyone on the outside if the opportunity presents itself and when the time comes."What's wrong?"He asks, nudging my elbow since we were seated close to each other. What are we? Best friends? This isn't high school and we're not playing a game of secret sharing."Nothing. I have nothing to say to you."Please leave me alone."Then why save me?"Ugh. Here we go again...."Are you dumb? I told you. I'm returning the favour so when it's time to get my justice, you don't bring that up. It's called getting even."I answered back hissing in annoyance"I don't think so.""Well I know so since I'm the one who did it, you can think whatever you wish, I truly don't care."I brushed him off and looked away."I'll think it for sure, I know you care about it. As difficult and morally challenging it is, you care about it more t
MR ANTONY SANTOS**~Day NineI see their hopeful eyes as the doctor makes his exit, after he shuts the door, I return my gaze to Michael and let it rest on him alone."Before anything else, I was making progress while acting like I was on their side. Good progress. I was able to figure out how he gets them to work under him. It might not seem relevant, but I believe cutting his labour off might be one of the ways of crippling that empire."When I finished, both Michael and Mr Scott had taken a seat in anticipation for what would be said."Hear me out, it might seem little but he has loyal followers. They babe an unlimited budget they work with, but aside from that, he has motivated them to an extent that they are ready to jump into fire for him. They worship him.”I paused, marking the look of confusion of their faces."How would that help us? It only shows how difficult our work would be. If he has loyal followers, there's no way they can turn their backs on him....""I believe that'
**TRACY SCOTT**~Day NineOkay that came out louder than I intended. Who knew I could screech so loudly? Beside the point. I got their attentions, it's time for the main event."Why are you yelling? This better not be some sick...""Ugh. You can yell at me all you like, in fact I don't mind since I've gotten used to the sound of your incessant rants, but please do so after I've used the restroom or you'll be yelling at me while I pee myself."I clasped both legs together, putting up a pleading face with pouty lips and all what not.The looks ok their faces didn't give me the impression that I convinced them, I hope I did.I turned to Ethan. It was almost as if he saw right through his act. Maybe he did a little.I turned away, to the man of the moment, the one that mattered at this point."Please. You can take me, stay outside then watch, at this rate I don't care if you follow me in. I'll fucking shit myself!"I increased my tone at the end of it, tightening my legs even harder. I cau
**MR ANTONY SANTOS**~Day NineFuck shit. Fuck this. I'm not buying this sob story. I'm not giving up. I can't wake up and in a few hours get news of the chance that Tracy might be dead."I just woke up from a coma, in quote of course, I survived a bullet word that should've in theory ended my life. I scaled through everything with barely a scratch, I'm not sure what that is but I'll pass it off as a miracle until someone provides a word to properly describe it. If I go through all of that and stand, well I won't be able to stand since it's been a while, but you get the picture, if I can do that, then the consistent factor is hope."I paused and looked to see if they were bothered in any way. Their faces looked pale and drained. They've been in this fight for over a week, nothing to properly lift their spirits, until now. As he mentioned, I'll be the light to guide them through. It's not impossible Afterall."I need the two of you to focus on one thing. Just as a criminal is declared
**Tracy Scott *:~Day Nine"Aren't we there yet?I whined for the nth time. I had to lift my head and cross paths with Ethan."I won't answer you if you keep asking the same time.""I won't keep asking the same thing if you answer."I crossed my hands, flipping my hair backwards.He groaned."We're almost there although I do not understand why you're so eager to meet certain death.""Who says I'm dying?"Dead eye turned fully and smirked."I had orders to kill you.""Yet here we are."I placed a finger underneath my jaw."That's because you pulled a fast one, but as soon as the finds out you're of no use to him, I'll get the honour of ending your life."I burst into laughter."That's rich. I've heard a lot about myself. So much. I've been called stupid things like spoilt brat, proud, crazy even, but I've never been termed as useless. Trust me darling, he can never find me useless."I passed a wink."We'll watch. I wager you won't survive the next twenty four hours. You'll see."I flip
**MR ANTONY SANTOS**~Day NineWhile waiting for Michael to return, we kept our eyes at the sky, I found myself constantly praying over and over again, for her return. Her safe return, I do not wish to see her headless, wrapped in a box or the after maths of a tortue gone wrong or any kind of tortue as well. I know the longer she stays missing, the slimmer our chances become. It's the same calculation for every kidnapping case, you have a high chance within the first seventy two hours.Our heads turned at the sound of the door opening up. Michael was back. Finally, the verdicts that lets us know where we stand.He exhaled and let out a yawn, clearly tired while we eagerly awaited the news he brought."What's happening?"I voiced out feeling all too impatient."Well, I have good news and then some bad news as well. Which would like to hear first?""I think we could all use the good news at this point. Let's hear it." Joel nodded his head, agreeing with my statement,anything good would
**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