Afterlife

XXI. Against Him

Chapter 21 :
Against Him

Warning: Some reader (s) may found the following scenes disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
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Third Person POV

The king dropped the papers on his desk as he frowned turning to the butler.

"She went to the woods with her friend?"

"Yes, your highness. That's what Faris said," said the butler as the king sighed.

"I see. When she comes home, tell her I'm looking for her."

"Yes, your highness."

The butler had left his office while the king was working, inevitably thinking that his daughter might be harmed in the woods. Moments later, the king's phone rang as he answered it. "Arthur, speaking."

["Hello, your highness."] a stranger voice answered on the other line causing the king's eyebrows to intersect.

"Who is this?"

The man on the other line laughed. ["I didn't know that my son was working for you. Tsh. Paano 'yan nagmukha akong tanga."]

"What the hell are you saying? Who are you?!"

["Well, say hello to your princess,"] the king was stunned by what he said while there was a slight noise from a girl, her mouth seemed covered. ["F-father! Help me!"]

"C-Chloe,"

["You heard her, didn't you?"]

"You dimwit don't you dare hurt my daughter, otherwise I will make sure you'll repent!"

["Iyan lang ba ang kaya mo, hari ng Kestrimore?"]

"Let go of my child!"

["Sure. But I will only do that when you give me your treasures. What do you think?"]

The king clenched his fist as he heard laughter on the other line knowing he was not alone. He has many companions.

["If you want your child back to you safely, send me all your wealth. I will wait until eight in the evening. Hurry up before I change my mind. Maybe I should even take your position?"] he added making him more furious. ["When you don't come, you will find your child naked."]

At the construction site, Faris leaned against a tree while keeping his eyes on the woods. Artemis approached him as she looked around.

"Hey, where's Zoe?" she asked keeping her voice low.

"She went to the woods with her friend."

"I see," Artemis also leaned against the tree as she followed Faris' gaze. Their environment was quiet and the only thing the two of them could hear were the birds chirping. Faris was silent while Artemis took a deep breath cause the noise of her nose prevailed over their hearing causing Faris got irritated.

"Tch. Are you here again to annoy me?"

"Why would I? I don't have anyone to talk to,"

Faris sighed as it took him a while to answer. "Any updates?"

"Oh.. about her." she said almost a mutter. "I don't know where I'll find her. I'm losing hope. I'm actually tired of telling myself over and over to be positive, believe I can find her, never tire of looking for her even if I get wet again in the rain." she paused for a moment as she looked up at the sky. "When everything is back to normal, I'll lose Zoe. For me she's the best honestly."