“Fuck.” Damon cursed and fell to his knees. His hands trembling as he tried to stop the bleeding from his groin, but the blood flowing down like a tap made him have a heart attack. He put a hand up in a stop sign, catching his breath. “Ma...maybe, we...we ... Can talk about this...huh?” Antonio stepped forward blankly, towering over him with the gun still pointing at him, his expression cold. “You touched her with those hands.” He fired the shots again, the bullet hitting Damon’s hands this time. He repeated again and again and again emptying the gun. Angela was as shocked as she was terrified. She was crying and screaming with her hands over her ears. At the end of the gunshots, Damon’s body slumped into the pool of his own blood rushing across the floor. The light fading from his eyes. The hall fell silent, the echoes of the gunshots fading into nothingness. Antonio lowered the gun, his breath shaking slightly. He turned to Angela, who was staring at him, her face a mix of relief and shock. “Antonio...” She gasped in terror gluing to the wall like she would disappear into it. His eyes softened as he looked at her, the adrenaline draining from his body. He dropped the gun and rushed towards her. “Don’t come closer!” She put a finger up, making him freeze at a spot. Tears flowing down her cheeks. “You ... .tell me the truth... Antonio...did you ever lose your memory?” “I....am sorry...,” he said quietly. “Answer me.” She snapped impatiently. Antonio paused at a spot, his eyes downcast. “I did, but when I saw you at the restaurant, I remembered you.....I caused you so much pain and wanted you to move on...that’s why I pretended not to remember you.” Angela’s wet eyes widened. “Move on? How? Did you ever consider my feelings?” She sobbed loudly, then her eyes widened. “I...thought you would be better off without me... I still don’t remember a lot of things but...I had flashbacks recently.” Angela interrupted with a gasp. “Hinata.. I have to get help for her.” She muttered to herself and rushed to the lifeless body. Antonio’s shirt was still tied around Hinata’s bleeding head, now it’s soaked with dark thick blood. “It’s too late.” Antonio replied, but before he could stop her. Angela ran towards the captive room she was kept in; she noticed a secret passage to the outdoors earlier. She may not be related to Hinata but she can’t let her die like that. She needs to at least try. Seeing Hinata in that position made her heart bleed in a sort of way.
******
The sound of a sudden, heavy knock echoed through the dark room, making Courtney, Kerry, and Doris jump. Their hearts raced, panic started creeping into their thoughts. They exchanged terrified glances. “Who could it be?” Kerry whispered. “Was it another of Damon’s men coming to torment us?” Doris added. “They have the keys to the main door, why break in through the other one?” Courtney asked. The hit on the soft wooden door continued, and it made them even more confused and anxious. Then, they heard a faint groan coming from the other side. Kerry’s eyes widened as recognition hit her like a wave. “Angela?” she called out, her voice trembling with both fear and hope. A brief pause followed before a familiar voice answered weakly, from the other side. “Kerry? Is that you?” Angela asked, surprised. She didn’t expect the door to lead her to where her sister was kept. “Angela! We’re here too! We’ll help you!” The other two shouted in joy and relief. “Doris? Courtney?” Angela called out in relief. The three shot up, rushing to the door. Without hesitation, they threw themselves against the wooden door, pushing and pulling with all the strength they could muster. Groaning loudly without morning that the noises they make might attract the guards. The door was old and cracked from Angela’s earlier attempts, but it still resisted. They shoved harder, their desperation lending them extra force. Finally, the wood splintered, and the door gave way, swinging open with a loud crash. Angela stumbled inside, breathing heavily and bruised, but alive. She was immediately embraced by her sister Kerry, followed by Doris and Courtney. The four women held each other in a tight, tearful reunion and relief. “You’re alive,” Kerry whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I thought I lost you.” Angela, still catching her breath, managed a soft smile through her exhaustion. “I’m fine,” she said, squeezing them tighter. “ I need your help.” They pulled back slightly, looking at her with concern. “What happened?” Doris asked, brushing a strand of hair from Angela’s wet, exhausted face. “Did you see Antonio?” Courtney asked. Before Angela could finish explaining, the door to the room burst open, and the dim light from the hallway spilled in as two of Damon’s guards stepped through. “Run! Run!” Angela instructed, and they took to their heels in different directions. However, it was too late and useless. Damon’s men are everywhere, quicker and stronger, so the men caught them with ease and dragged them outside. The leader glanced at Angela, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. “How did you escape from Lord Damon?” he demanded, gripping her arm tightly that it hurts. “Let go of me!” Angela cried as she struggled in his grasp, but it was no use. Three others were holding Doris, Kerry, and Courtney. “Take them to the dark room, Lord Damon will love this.” the leader ordered. The men moved swiftly, forcing the women into a march as they head to the dark room. Leonardo and his men, who had been waiting outside, tensed at the sight of Courtney and the others being dragged away. They looked ready to fight, but Courtney raised her voice before they could act. “Don’t fight!” she shouted. “Do not worsen this. Let’s see where they’re taking us.” Leonardo held her gaze then sighed before giving the rest others to back down. He watched helplessly as the group led the women deeper into the mansion. “Follow them but don’t fight”. Leonardo instructed his men. They obeyed immediately. Finally, they reached the large, imposing iron door of the dark room. With a heavy creak, it swung open, and the sight that greeted them inside froze everyone in place. There, at the far end of the room, sitting on a massive throne-like chair, was Antonio Montero, tall and mighty. His gaze was dark and cold. The presence was overwhelming. The look in his eyes was enough to chill the blood of even the hardest man among them. At his feet was a horrible looking corpse swimming in a pool of blood. “Lord Damon?” The leader felt the air cut off his throat. He clenched his teeth, about to make an attack command. Suddenly, he heard chattering sounds from behind him. Everyone had their weapons slip from their hands, dropping to the floor. Their knees hit the ground. “Welcome back, Young Master Antonio!” He was standing alone! He wanted to at least fight, but how can he when everyone is bowing to Antonio? How did he defeat Damon?