Before Another War

Chapter Sixteen

In a large warehouse sat a box. It was wooden, long and shaped like a coffin. 

The warehouse wasn't much to look at. It was old and falling apart with cracks in the wide, boxy windows. 

Nadia had been here a while now. She didn't know exactly how long, however, as most of her time was spent in the box, staring into the blackness. From inside, she heard some light mutterings, and then, footsteps. Someone was coming. 

She worried they'd decided to bring Sapphire here too. Nadia had no idea what had happened to her after that night. She'd been stupid not to go straight home after she noticed the man following her to the bus stop. Anything could have happened to her daughter. 

Gently, Nadia pushed against the lid of the box, no luck, it had been fastened down. The surface was smooth, maybe mahogany, but it was too dark to tell. The coffin was so snug that she couldn't move her legs. Already, Nadia had decided this was some sort of mental torture. Designed to whittle her down until she'd give in. But she wouldn't. No way.

The footsteps edged closer. There were a couple of them, the steps all blending together like a dirty symphony. She wondered how many there would be this time. She heard the clicking of locks as they drew nearer, and then, light.

Nadia squinted as she struggled to see. The lights had been switched onto full and she felt like she was staring at the sun. 

As her eyes began to adjust, she saw the people stood in front of her. She was faced by Cyrille, Emilio and another, more terrifying man. Somehow, Cyrille knew what Nadia had, and he wouldn't stop until he got his sweaty hands on it. 

Nadia had heard some of the other boys call him Poirot. She knew it was a nickname, of course, but it was a rather fitting one. Cyrille placed a chubby hand on her shoulder and dragged her flailing from the box. Her body collapsed onto the floor, weak and refusing to move. She'd been cramped up in the coffin for far too long. 

Gradually, she stretched her arms and legs, feeling the excruciating pins and needles shoot down her limbs. Meanwhile, Cyrille circled her like a vulture, mulling over his words. Despite his bizarre and eccentric appearance, he was a terrifyingly clever man. Without saying a word, he beckoned his men over and they spoke in hushed tones before coming to an agreement. Then, with enough having been said, Cyrille left, his spats clicking on the grey concrete floor. 

Now, it was just the three of them. Nadia wondered if she should speak but she decided it was safer not to. One wrong word and everything could fall apart. She glanced around, trying to figure out where she was. She could see the beginning of a dark street from the window, but not one she recognised. 

They were in an industrial area, one with warehouses around every corner. No one would find her here. 

The first man, a typical henchman, stood in front of her. Even though he was dressed in a loose jacket and loose jeans, his huge muscles were plainly visible. The scars on his knuckles proved his violent history, and Nadia knew he wasn't messing around. Emilio, however, was in complete contrast. He was obviously younger and was still wearing his favourite 'Red Hot Chili Peppers' t-shirt. He must be new, Nadia thought, hoping he would be easy to get onto her side. 

Emilio pushed back his messy dark hair and stood behind her. Despite his age, he was accustomed to these kinds of situations. He watched on, relaxed, if not a little bemused. The tougher one crouched down and looked her dead in the eyes.

'Where's your piece of the Egia?' he asked, close enough to spit in Nadia's face. It was the same question they'd been asking her every day. And she refused to change her answer.

'I don't know,' she lied, bracing herself for what came next. Emilio hit her sharply around the head with the back of his palm. She swayed as the strike knocked her off balance. Not too hard this time, but it would get worse. She could already feel her ears ringing. 

'Where is it?' he tried again. Nadia stayed silent for a time, delaying the torture.

'I don't know.' 

Then came the second blow. Much stronger this time. The pain split through her skull and she wanted to faint. Her vision swam and the man came closer. 

'Listen, we know where your daughter is.'

Suddenly, her body went onto high alert. Any mention of Sapphire made her queasy. She didn't even want to consider what these men could do.

'If you've done anything to-'

'Relax, relax,' the man chuckled. 'She's safe for now. Some of your friends are looking after her.'

'Who?' Nadia racked her brain, trying to think of someone who would be stupid enough to help her out. 

'I don't know, and I don't really care. But if you don't tell us soon, we'll be forced to bring her in for a little chat.'

He smirked and stood up, letting his words sink in. As he turned to leave, Nadia built up all her strength to scream,

'Don't you dare! You bastard!' she fought against the bonds. The man turned back around, smiling and watching her struggle.

'So then, where is it?' 

This time, Nadia hesitated. She couldn't bear for Sapphire to get hurt, but she couldn't let them get their hands on it. With the Egia, Cyrille could take over the world.