Louisa's p.o.v;
I came to the address where Mr Hernandez said it was dangerous for the people my age but i can't stay still after getting a lead. I was tortured for this stone. How can I give up that easily? I walked into the alley wearing a black hoodie to hide my face, while I was already inside the alley, there were many people who looked like they're dope. I looked for the house number he mentioned in the paper but I couldn't find it. I should find it before someone else notices me.
I finally saw the house number that I was searching for. It is really my lucky day I guess. There was no one at or near the house so I knocked on it. The door wasn't open by anyone inside. Is it empty? I looked for the windows in the house. I spotted a window on the first floor, I climbed up the house and tried to open the window. It wasn't locked. Does that mean someone is inside? I looked inside the house through the window but there wasn't anyone. I opened the window and jumped into the house and checked every room in silence. I couldn't find anyone. The house is really empty. Why would someone mention a house? Did they plan to meet here? There was a date and time mentioned in the paper along with the address. That's why I came today without any fail. I think they haven't arrived yet. Let's wait for them. Before that i should find somewhere to hide.
I found a place behind the cabinet and hid behind it to escape from their eyesight. When I look at the time, it's almost the time he mentioned in the paper. They'll be here anytime now. I heard someone opening the door, I think they're here. While i was peeking in between the cabinet, i saw the guy whom i stole the paper from. After him, i saw three guys walking behind him. One of the three guys looked like a big shot because he was wearing experience outfit and other two dressed in formal, looked like bodyguards.
The guy whom i stole from asked, "Did you bring the amount of money i mentioned?"
One of the bodyguard placed a suitcase on the table and opened it, there were lot of money stacked inside it. Are they here to buy the red stone? Didn't they say it's one million? But the money inside suitcase looks more than one million.
The guy in the expensive suit said, "The red shield."
A box was kept on the table, the bodyguard opened the box and revealed the red stone. This is the first time I'm seeing the red stone, Ace talked about. But I couldn't get a clear view since it's far away from me. And the stone was tiny. I wonder why everyone is after this stone? I know it's rare and limited edition but does that makes it so special? While i was confused about the importance they gave to this stone, they finished the deal and tried to leave. How am I going to get it from this big shot? He looks way more dangerous than Ace. Suddenly, the rich guy shot down the guy from whom he bought the stone. What the hell! Did he just shoot a person? A living human being? In the daylight? The rich guy told the bodyguards to get rid of the body and asked them to burn down the house. The rich guy took the stone and the money along with him and left the house first. What myself i got into? They're going to burn down the house? I'm still here! If i go out now, they'll see me and shoot me for being a witness for their crime. If i stay here, i will burned along with the house. What am I going to do now?
Those bodyguards poured gasoline on the deceased body and poured the remaining gasoline around the house and left the house. After they left, I came out of the cabinet. While I was hiding behind the cabinet, my shoes got soaked in the gasoline too. I have to get out of here quickly. Suddenly, the house was on fire. Did they do it already? I rushed upstairs to escape from here. Since it's gasoline, the fire picked up every corner of the house quickly which made it difficult for me to breathe. I felt dizzy and my head started to ache like hell. Will I be able to get out of here? I should get out of here! I can't die like this!!! I tore up a piece of fabric from my shirt and tied it over my nose and mouth to stop breathing the fumes. After I came to the first floor, I opened the window and jumped out of it using all my strength.
I removed the fabric and let out a breath after I walked away from the house. I went to a nearby telephone booth and rang the emergency number and told them the address of the house which was on fire. They'll be here soon. I need to get out of this place.
After a while, i came to my apartment. When i opened the door, i saw Bernie and Everly watching television together.
I said, "Hi, Everly!"
"Hi." "Wait, why does it smell like something burnt?" She turned to Bernie and asked, "did you keep anything on the stove?"
Bernie, "No. I didn't. Nothing's in there." He turned to me and asked, "Where did you go and why are you looking like this?"
"To meet a friend."
"Why does your tee look like that? Did you really go to meet that person or did you have a fight with them?"
"I-I'll get a shower." And walked into my room.
After I entered my room, I locked the door and removed my shirt. It stinks of gasoline and fumes. I sat down to thought what happened back there. A rich shot someone for that stone. Now, the stone is with him. I think i should stop it here. Further involvement in the stone may bring trouble not only to me but to the people around me. My parents, brother, Bernie and Everly. Bernie and Everly just got into a relationship and they're happy. I don't want to be the reason for them to spilt. And i just survived from the house which was burning to ashes. The stone can be with whomever it belongs.
Bernie tapped on the door and said, "Louisa! Everly and i planned to eat outside, wanna tag along?"
I said while being in my room, "I don't feel good. You two go ahead and have a good time."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Just leave already."
After a while, i heard them closing the door.
I stood up and opened the door to make sure they left. After seeing the apartment being empty, it looks like they really left. Because sometimes, they'll hide somewhere and jump in front of me to give me a scare. I wonder how Bernie found a girl just like him. They both are funny.
I heard a knock on the door. Didn't they leave already? Or did they forgot something? I went to my room and picked up a random shirt to put on. After wearing it, i came to the door and opened it.
When i opened the door, i saw a group of men dressed in suits. Why does this feel like Deja Vu? Are they Ace's bodyguards? But the faces looked new.
"Who are you?"
Suddenly, they barged in and sprayed something over my face. I felt dizzy and fainted.
After a while,
I felt so tired and… shit! Someone sprayed something on my face! When i woke up, i was in a room where there aren't any single light source can be seen. My hands and legs were tied with chains. Not again!!!
Where am I? How did i got here? Those guys? Did they kidnapped me? Who are those guys? Are they working for Ace? Did Ace kidnapped me but for what? I thumped against the wall and shouted for help but it didn't help.
After a while, the door was opened for few seconds and closed again after the person entered the room. The stature doesn't look like Ace. Was it one of his acquaintance? Since the room was dark, i couldn't see the person's face.
"Did Ace told you to kidnap me?"
He let out a laugh and pulled a chair to sit. He sat in front of me and said, "I'm not him. I'm Paulo Cruz, head of Pandora gang."
Pandora? Why does it sound familiar to me?
He continued, "I know you'll be puzzled why i kidnapped you right now."
While he was talking, i remembered, "Pandora! The rival group of phantom."
"Glad you remembered. Now, let's make a deal. Where's the red shield?"
"I don't know."
"I know you know about it." He took out his phone and showed me a clip saying, "I'm the one who deleted this clip from others eyesight."
It was the clip from that night. When the burglar stole the red stone from bar hostess, where i saw his face. I thought it wasn't recorded in the camera when Ace checked it but how did this guy get hold of this.
"Got surprised? Now, give me the stone."
"I don't have it."
"Look here, i don't deal with this kind of stuff. I let my guards do it for me but this stone is really important to me so give me the stone while I'm asking you nicely."
"I'm not lying. I don't have it with me."
He slapped my face really hard which made fell on the floor.
He said, "I know you were after the stone."
"Yes, but it's not with me now. I'm saying the truth, trust me…"
Before i finish, he slapped me again which made me bleed on lips.
He held me by my chin and asked, "Then who's having it?"
If i told him, he'll definitely go after that person but what about me? Will he let me live or will he shoot me after getting the truth?
I shook my head and said, "I don't know."
He kicked the chair out of his way and said, "Be here till you remember!" And left locking the door behind him.
I just promised myself that I'll stop my chasing here then how did i ended up like this? How am I going to get out of here? I took a look at the chains around my hands and legs. There wasn't any locks, it looks like i really got stuck here.
Bernie will come back to an empty apartment. What will he do after knowing that I'm not there? What will he think? Will he think i went to see the friend who i always mention? What will happen if i don't go even after a week? Will he look for me? Will he file a complaint? Am i going to be here? Am i going to die here? What if i don't tell him about that rich guy? Will he still kill me?
All of a sudden, my parents came to my mind. What will my parents do after i die? Will they remember me or forget me after some days? I didn't get a chance to meet my brother for once. I'm feeling guilty that I'm going to die without getting a glimpse of his face. I want to be inside grandpa's embrace so badly. He pat my back and caress my hair while singing his own lullaby song to me. Whenever bad things happen, i hug my grandpa to sleep. Everything will get better the next day. Am i going to see grandpa again? Grandpa, I'm scared. Hug me to sleep, please. Caress my head so that I can have my peaceful sleep once again. I miss you, grandpa.