🥀 ABELIA'S POV 🥀
I sat there stunned, not knowing what to do next. I could almost hear Nemo's heart pounding in his chest.
"Let's just run away, Abelia," Nemo suggested, trembling.
"Too late, they are here already," Brina retorted and scoffed.
"Who or what are you talking about?" I asked, uncertain about the whole life-threatening decision.
"Those that want me dead," she declared, gawking at me with wide eyes.
"Good. Then let's just- fucking throw her out. It's her they want anyway - not us," Nemo yelled, pacing around in fear, and before I could respond, a bullet ripped through the air.
Nemo yelled in fear, and I immediately pulled him down to seek cover. The enemy had chosen their ground well, surrounding the house on all sides, blaster fire erupting at every angle.
The clock ticked away, each second feeling like an eternity.
"Nemo! This is your house, you need to snap out of it and direct us to somewhere we would be safe," I yelled, dragging him by the collar as if reviving him back to life.
"Ohh no… I never signed up for this. Go that way," Nemo yelled back, pointing in a direction.
"Hurry and untie her," I blurted out, as I wheeled towards the direction Nemo pointed at.
Soon, we were in a dark, secret room behind the shelves that didn't seem part of the house, seeking cover. The silence between us was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words.
The bullet ripped through the living room, shattering the TV. Nemo dove behind me, weeping, pulling me close. I fell from the wheelchair as I heard their commander scream, "Where is she?"
Fear gripped my chest, making it hard to breathe. I couldn't move, couldn't think. Panic set in, and Nemo frantically dialled 911, his hand shaking. I held his hand to stop him, we couldn't afford to make any noise where we were hiding.
Gunfire echoed again, windows shattered, spraying glass everywhere. The acrid smell of gunpowder filled the air, choking my lungs.
The silence after the gunfire was deafening, punctuated only by sobbing. The front door burst open; I could hear them storming out in anger.
"They left," I announced in whispers, puffing out a sigh of relief.
"Hey, check if they are gone," I stated, tapping Nemo, who was ice cold by the shoulder.
"One word…No! Two words… No! Never!" Nemo muttered in disagreement, terrified.
"Nemo…" I murmured in pleas, but he simply acted dead, sticking his tongue out in pretence. I shook his body as he pretended to be dead, holding his breath.
"Alright, help me up on the wheelchair," I declared, only then did he stand up, offering to help.
Pressing a button, I wheeled out of the room, glass crunching beneath my feet as I sneak a look around. The house was in shambles, furniture overturned, windows shattered, and everywhere was destroyed.
"You can come out now, they are all gone," I announced in a low, dissatisfied tone.
Brina walked out, looking around with Nemo crawling behind her. Only when he was assured it was safe did he attempt to walk.
"Okay… play time is over. What the hell just happened here?" I asked, staring at Brina in disgust.
"Did you just say- playtime?" Nemo asked, sniffing, and I simply tapped him on the shoulder.
"It's a long story," Brina replied, walking over.
"Then freaking say it in a few words. You just endangered our lives," I yelled, slamming my fist on my wheel in anger.
"Yes, she did…" Nemo accepted as he burst into tears all over again.
"Just shut up, Nemo," I threatened, rolling my eyes.
"Endangered your lives? You kidnapped me," she yelled back in an argument.
"It was a mistake," I protested, flinging my hands up in the air.
"And how's that my fault?" she responded sarcastically.
"We just want an explanation. Don't we deserve to know why we almost died tonight?" I asked calmly, taking a deep breath to relax.
"In a few words: my father used me as a bet and lost the bet," She blurted out and walked away.
"See, even her father doesn't like her," Nemo cried out, grasping onto his chest.
"So where do we go from here?" I asked, turning towards Nemo.
"I guess we are homeless. Let's go to an orphanage," he responded, and I laughed out loud.
"Okay, I know a place my father built for me," I blurted out, staring at Nemo's disagreeing expression.
"Isn't it dangerous for you to go close to your brother or any of your father's property? At least for now. Cain shouldn't know you are alive, he will come after you," Nemo declared, biting his lower lip and shaking his head.
"It's a secret, Nemo, only my father and I know about it. He said I might need it in the future; I guess that future is now," I retorted and smirked.
"Okay, how do we get there? I can't wait to leave this scary hole," Nemo said, rubbing his palms together.
"We can stroll, it's just a stone's throw from here," I retorted, smiling.
"You can't afford to be seen, Abelia, we don't know who is working for your brother and who is not," Nemo reasoned in fear.
"Relax, it's late, people can barely see my face," I teased and giggled. I was starting to get fond of him.
"Okay, which way?" he stated, walking behind me to push my wheelchair, and I quickly pointed in the direction of the house, "That way."
"Why are you following us?" Nemo asked as he saw Brina walking behind us.
"You kidnapped me, so take responsibility. As from now on…we are stuck together," She retorted, determination sparking in her eyes.
"Me? Who? Where? How?... Antonio kidnapped you- get the hell out of here and go find Antonio, he did this to you and you did this to us… eww, you breathe bad luck," Nemo protested firmly.
"Nemo, why are you being such a baby?" I butted in, giggling.
"Such a baby? I almost died tonight… and yes- you gave the order for the kidnapping, so I guess it's your responsibility too," he retorted and faced me in an argument.
"You asked me to push on with the plan, Nemo," I responded with the same energy, standing my ground.
"Holy crab! Do not drag me into this," he stated, his right hand on his chest, pouting.
"Just let her stay for a night, she's a lady, and it's late," I pleaded, pausing my lips.
"What? A lady can't have such Temerity to mess with dangerous men…she's a grown-ass woman," Nemo retorted, rolling his eyes.
"I'm not staying for a night… I'm staying forever," Brina denied and stormed forward.
"And where do you think you are going? Come back here, you little heartless baby cow, who permitted you to go in?" Nemo asked, leaving my wheelchair to drag her back.
"Nemooooooooooooooooo…" I called out in frustration.
"What!" he snapped back at me. I stared at him in surrender as my ears harkened to some strange sounds coming from some men. Alarmed, I pulled Nemo back and whispered.
"Wait, don't take another step…something is not right."