Episode 8

WITH MADISON

"DAMNED MOBSTER!" I yelled, sobbing behind the door, still unable to process everything that was happening, and what would happen to me. What would that wretch do after taking me with him? I couldn't even imagine; I wanted to die right there and then. How could my parents have sold me? I needed to get out of here, I had to leave. I knew it wasn't a good idea and it was downright stupid, but I was going to try. I'll do it first thing in the morning so no one will see me. Yes, I'm going to escape.

How to persuade the guards outside? I had to figure it out.

WITH LEANDRO

I stormed out of the house, furious. "Stupid kid, who does she think she is, slamming the door in my face," I muttered, wiping blood from my nose. "Tomorrow I won't be gentle. She'll come with me. She refused the easy way; now she'll have to do it my way," I thought, knowing she'd probably try something.

*calling one of my guards*

GUARD: "Good afternoon, Mr. Leandro, how can I help you?" he asked.

LEANDRO: "Keep an eye on the brat, make sure she doesn't run off," I ordered sternly before hanging up the call.

GUARD: "As you wish, boss" he replied, ending the call.

When I arrived home, my best friend Maximo was waiting for me in the living room.

MAXIMO: "H... hey... what happened to you? Why is there blood on your shirt, and your nose?" he asked worried, not understanding what had happened. "But tell me, how did it go at that house? Oh wait, don't tell me those guys tried something on you?" he asked, confused, not letting me speak.

LEANDRO: "That damned kid slammed the door in my face; that's what happened," I snarled. "But she'll soon pay her dues. She now belongs to me; her moronic parents couldn't scrape up the cash to pay me," I said with a scheming smile that quickly turned serious.

MAXIMO: "I regret not going with you, buddy, but as you know I have to cover for you in business while you're away. But why are you acting like this? Normally, I'd think you'd have killed her already. Do you care about this girl? And if I'm not mistaken, she's only 15 years old. What are you planning?" he questioned, half.mockingly curious.

LEANDRO: "What do you think I want? I'll just hold onto her until her parents can pay up," I said, keeping a serious tone. "You're being overly inquisitive, aren't you?" I snapped, irritated. "I have no intentions regarding that spoiled brat. Now leave me alone; I'm exhausted. See you tomorrow," I said, dismissing him before heading to my room.

As I left, my friend remained seated, looking at me strangely, having never seen me behave this way.

In my room, I shed my bloodstained shirt and other garments and stepped into the shower. After 40 minutes, I emerged and slipped into my pajamas, unable to stop thinking about how the girl had slammed the door in my face—something no one had ever dared to do. Everyone who knew me feared me and would not dare to upset me, much less confront me. After much thought, I fell asleep.

THE NEXT MORNING...

WITH MADISON

I woke up very early, setting my alarm for 06:00 AM, and quickly took a shower. After 20 minutes, I dressed in something comfortable that would allow me to run if need be.

After that, I packed a few things in my backpack and took out some of my savings to exchange. I might have to sell some of my bracelets, though I doubt they're worth much, I thought, making a face. Well, the time to flee has come. I quietly opened my bedroom door, tiptoeing down the stairs, relieved to find my parents not in the living room. I was ravenous, couldn't hold back, so I sneaked into the kitchen, grabbed some cookies and an apple, then slipped out the back door of my house, thankfully unguarded by any guards.

I DID IT! I exclaimed inwardly. I managed to get out of the house and started running at full speed when I heard one of the guards shouting, calling others to pursue me. I panicked and ran for my life.

MEANWHILE, WITH LEANDRO...

I was closing a deal with U.S. investors on arms shipment when I got a call from one of the guards watching over that kid's house.

*Answering the call*

LEANDRO: "What's happened?" I asked, frowning deeply.

GUARD: "Boss, the girl has escaped," the guard reported, sounding anxious.

LEANDRO: "WHAT?!!! INCOMPETENT FOOLS! CAN'T YOU HANDLE SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS GUARDING A DAMN HOUSE? FIND THAT BRAT NOW! I'M ON MY WAY," I bellowed, ending the call abruptly.

Damn kid, you've made this easier than I thought. I intended to do something else but now I see it won't be necessary," I said with a wry smile, hurrying to my car.

WITH MADISON

I continued running, seemingly having lost them, a wave of relief washed over me. Worn out, I walked slowly through the city streets, feeling like I'd lost five kilos. After 20 minutes, I was almost at the terminal and felt a burst of happiness, but just as I was about to enter, I heard the sound of a van screeching to a halt behind me. Turning around, yes, it was a van not one but three black vans, sleek but reminiscent of kidnappers. One of the guards from that man stepped out; I recognized him as the one who had restrained me this past morning, followed by his despicable boss. Instinctively, I bolted again.

LEANDRO: "COME HERE, BRAT!" he shouted.

MADISON: "LEAVE ME ALONE, PLEASE!" I screamed, continuing to run, but it was futile. They caught me. That psychopath grabbed me by the waist, hoisted me over his shoulder, and all I could do was kick in a futile attempt to free myself. I didn't know who the hell he was; I couldn't fathom how my parents had gotten tangled up with someone like that. He shoved me into the van, and amidst my struggle, he hit me on the nape, and I blacked out.

LEANDRO: "Damn brat, you made things easier than I thought. I had planned something else, but now it seems unnecessary," I said, the sly smile returning to my face.

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