Life Without You

Chapter 69 - Beacon of Hope

Andy tried to stop his sobbing as demanded of him.

That scary man had gone out and the evil lady had threatened with a knife that if they did not do her bidding, she would kill them.

Even though Sky was tethered to a small hook on the wall with a rope tied to her collar, Sky continued flashing her angry fangs at their captor with a bellowing growl.

"Oh, this wolf needs to shut up!" she went to the table and poured some sedative from a bottle on a cloth. Sky growled even louder when the lady came nearer to her. She snapped her teeth at her approaching hand. The woman pulled her hand away just in time and cursed at the dog. Realising she could not sedate Sky, the woman took her knife out and swung it at Sky, who got even more angry and snapped repeatedly at her.

"Please don't kill Sky! Leon loves her very much!" Andy begged.

The moment she heard Leon's name, she stopped swinging her knife, "Oh yes! I can't hurt anything that belongs to my beloved husband." She spun around and approached Andy with the knife in her hand.

"Please don't kill me," Andy pleaded with his palms raised. Sky barked even more and whined, stretching her body the furthest she could with her hind legs.

"Kill you?" She glanced at the knife in her hand and started to giggle. "Why would I kill such a sweet little thing? You remind me of my boy. How he would beg for mummy's mercy whenever he was naughty."

She caressed his wet cheek with her finger.

"Anyway, I've got to get his daddy back."

"L-Leon is his daddy?"

"Of course!"

Hiromi and Andy were astounded. Was she lying or telling the truth? After all, her pictures with Leon were evident on the walls. Whatever the case, they knew they had to play along and not attempt to offend her.

"Then, can I go back home to my mummy?"

"Oh sweetie, your mummy doesn't want you. So, you know what? I'll be your mummy! Poor little thing. No wonder my hubby takes such pity on you," she hugged him and kissed his cheek but he stiffened in her arms.

"I'm back!" announced a familiar voice.

Andy and Hiromi were stunned to see that it was Paolo, the ice cream man who entered the room with a pizza takeaway.

"Oh, new guests!" he was stunned to see Andy and Sky barking ferociously at him while pacing about at her spot.

"Yes, they happened to drop by. Right timing," the lady said with glee.

Paolo broke into his signature, jovial laugh. Except for this time, it was not that same happy ice cream man warmth, but one of terrible menace. Andy could not believe that friendly, nice Paolo was a really evil man. No wonder his mother always told him to never speak to strangers!

"I'm looking forward to the fun," Paolo sat on a chair by the table and opened the large pizza box. "All the free ice creams I've sacrificed better pay off!"

"You will be paid....after I get my husband back," the lady sounded agitated by the reminder.

Hearing the notification sound on her phone, the woman checked the message and smiled, "He's got the cards. I can now go meet him."

She went to the mirror and observed herself.

Hiromi, Andy and Sky watched Paolo as the savoury smell of the pepperoni and cheese pizza filled the air. The sounds of Paolo eating and taking sips of his beer was causing Hiromi's stomach to growl in hunger, for she had not eaten since the day she was captured. Even Sky went quiet, looking intently with hungry eyes and drooling at her mouth.