"I'll make sure you don't escape death the second time"
His words resonated within me, his presence sending me years back when I used to cower and cry under his cruelty. I remained rooted to the spot, scared that even the subtlest movement I made would cause the blade to cut my flesh.
My eyes crinkled with tears as I stared into his cold gaze. I saw it. The same sadistic pleasure-filled look, like he had six years ago, lurking within his eyes. Only this time, he was trying to hold back.
"Pathetic," he spat, retrieving his penknife and leaving my jaw.
I let out a sharp gasp as his ice cold touch left me. Frantically, I searched my face with both hands for any sign of wounds, and found none. A sudden clutch in my chest caused me to throw my hands to the ground, hot tears escaping my eyes and seeping into the concrete floor.
I forced out a croak "M..my son!" With the unexpected silence that followed, I lifted my head to see a twisted scowl on Anthony's face.
"You've got some nerve, Melanie." his jaw set. "Keeping that bastard child you had outside our marriage. Not to worry, though," he tossed the penknife amongst the tips of his fingers. "I'll get to kill him like you should have done years ago"
My heart sank. "No, don't!" I threw my dignity away, crawling to his fine leather shoes. "Don't harm my son!" I begged, fresh tears welling up in my eyes. I cowered at his feet like I always did.
Cower, hide in fear, and beg.
"Tch!" I heard him sneer at my pathetic state. I felt his shadow bend over me, his fingers raking into my hair. In an instant, he grabbed the strands he held, forcing me to look up at him.
I let out a pained grunt.
"You haven't changed one bit" he scowled "I'll spare your son, Melanie, but at a cost"
"Wha..t?" My voice broke, my eyes widening.
He continued "I need my money back and you're going to get it for me"
I stared into his cruel eyes, my heart pounding with dread. Why was he saying that? I did nothing wrong so why has he taken my son hostage?! I was finally at peace, so why?
"Why?" My thoughts escaped my lips in a muffled cry. Tears began to stream down "Why won't you let me be happy, Anthony?" I cried bitterly.
Amidst my sobs, Leira stood up. I could see through my tearfilled eyes that she was still engrossed with her phone, paying no attention to my sullen state. "Are you done playing? We leave. Now" she said, turning to walk away.
Anthony looked at me with feigned pity. He lifted his index finger to his lips, leaving my hair "Shh, shush now. Let's ask questions later"
Before I could argue, he brought out a gun and, with its base, struck my head. I fell to the ground, blacking out immediately.
My throbbing headache forced me awake, my eyes snapping open, and my body jolting into consciousness. I blinked twice at the screen before me, my disorientation slowly leaving me.
On the screen was Oliver, my son! I jolted forward, only to realize I had been tied to a chair. I began to struggle with the ropes. Oliver was lying unconscious in an enclosed room with metal doors, no windows, and a small, impoverished bed.
I flinched after hearing Anthony's voice "Don't struggle, Melanie, you'll get nowhere with that"
My gaze snapped in the direction of his voice. "H..he can't stay there," I croaked desperately. "My son needs me, please let us go." he has asthma, and being in a place like that can trigger him.
Anthony merely chuckled mockingly. "Letting either of you go isn't part of our agreement"
My insides churned, my voice shrinking "Agreement?" My heart dropped when I noticed the door opening on the screen. My eyes widened, my pupils peering while they quivered in dread.
It was Leira. She entered with two women who carried my son away with them.
"Where are they taking him?" My body shivered. "Where are they taking my son?!" I yelled, smashing both fists on the armrest of the chair.
"Whether or not your son is safe depends on you, Melanie," said Anthony, coming out of the shadows to stand between me and the screen. I glared at him, my eyes already welling with tears.
He clicked his tongue, "Now," he turned to a different slide, and stepped aside for me to see.
On the screen now was a picture of a man, six feet tall, dressed in all grey, stepping out of his car with a deep frown on his face. Anthony zoomed in on his frightening expression, accentuating his eminent features.
I knew the man. He was Germany's madman.
"Do you know who this is?" Anthony asked. He answered almost immediately, "Of course you do, even babies instantly know who he is the moment they're born," he scoffed.
He turned to the screen, gritting "Roman Sionis. Germany's very own Mafia lord, or as people like to call him, 'the Don of the Dawn', Anthony turned to look at me with a comical stare. "Dumb, isn't it? Yet no one dares to say anything about or say it to his face"
My eyes narrowed wearily on him. Where was he getting at?
Anthony let out a sigh. "Anyway, that man owes me money" he started to pace around me.
My eyes snapped wide. Impossible!
He continued, "And he doesn't give a fuck about it. That's where you come in." he placed his hands on my shoulder, making me flinch. "There are documents in Roman's possession, very…..important documents. The secrets hidden behind them can put an end to his oh so high and mighty empire, and perhaps finally bring me to the limelight"
"What are you saying?" I breathed, my brows knitting. There was no way he was asking me to get his money back from that man.
Anthony stopped in front of me, tucking his hands into his pockets "I don't care how you do it, Melanie, I need those documents in three weeks"
"Are you mad?!" I blurted out. "You want me to steal from that man? That is impossible!" Merely visualizing the scene in my head filled me with dread.
"Is it?" Anthony asked, his voice dripping with seriousness. "I've heard a mother's love for her child pushes her to do the impossible."
My shoulders weakened at his words.
He added "You were brave enough to keep the child, I'm sure you can extend his lifespan too"
My gaze fell, my pupils shaking. How was I even supposed to do it on such short notice? Robbing Roman Sionis was equivalent to a suicidal attempt. But Andy's life was on the line.
After a minute or two, I looked up with weary eyes. "Fine," I said through clenched teeth. Anthony's expression lifted. He opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it "First, let me see my son"
"You'll see him after you've completed your task" Anthony answered, giving a slight gesture with his hand.
"What?" I stared wide eyed at him. I panicked when two men came to loosen the ropes. "Wait, no! I want to see him!" I yelled.
They picked me up from the chair, ignoring my struggles.
"Anthony, wait! Just a glance please," my voice broke. He halted his men and stared me dead in the eyes. His words came like venom "Don't test my patience, Melanie, I will not hesitate to slit the throat of that child." He repeated his words, this time more firmly "Finish your task and then you'll glance at him"
Fear washed over me as I stared at him. I would know, Anthony's threats were never a bluff. I practically stood frozen after he spoke, my words caught up in my throat.
I didn't struggle anymore and just let them take me. But before we got to the entrance, Anthony added, "Oh, and Melanie? The police won't help you"
I swallowed.
They left me outside, giving me back my purse, my cell phone, and Oliver's bracelet. It fell off when they first abducted us. The bracelet was a gift from Oliver. He made identical ones for the two of us, saying we'd always find each other as long as we had them.
I clutched on to it, squeezing my eyes shut and opening them again. I swore within myself that no matter what happens, I have to get my son back.
Even if it meant getting scathed by the tiger itself.
I dialed a number on my phone and put it to my ear. I hesitantly called out "N..Nicole?"
"Melanie?" Nicole gasped "Where have you been all this time? I've been trying to reach you for a week now….I thought you were ghosting me on purpose" She whined.
I was. She was getting too close, and I was starting to warm up to her. I have been broken by my sister and my ex-husband. I was afraid of being scarred by mere friendship.
"I've just been busy," I explained.
"Hey, you sound dull, are you doing okay?" She asked.
"I'm fine, just a bit stressed. But, I need your help, Nicole" I bit my lower lip.
There was a short silence. After which, her quirky voice asserted "So you basically ghosted me up until now, but only call cause you need my help." She sounded pissed. I heard her sigh, "Then again, I'm surprised you, Melanie Holland, need my help. What's the problem? I'm listening"