Don's Blackmail

Chapter 20

Her sneakers felt magical at that moment because she was running faster than wind. Even when the possibility of death was closing in, she was enthusiastic about her freedom. There was freedom in chaos and she was relishing it. She ran like there was no tomorrow.

When she took a sharp turn into an alley for a shortcut to the mansion, she could see the men as two dark blurry figures, still running behind her. The alley was long, narrow and filled with dumpster cans but she didn't even hesitate a step.

Kate jumped across all the obstacles like she was some character in a video game. Her young body was still energetic, even after jumping above all 13 huge obstructions. The end of the alley lead to another one and she ran into it without thinking because the heavy footsteps of the men were crisp in the quiet space. They weren't that far.

This alley was a bit wider but her hope dimmed for a second when she spotted something massive blocking her way. No, it wasn't a dead end but a giant wall of metallic fence, in crisscross pattern. Most people would freeze and surrender at this point but not her. She had to prove to Quisito that she can stay alive, even without his protection.

Taking a deep breath, she began climbing the fence, moving two limbs at a time. In her bustle, she lost her sunglasses but she didn't give a damn. She could buy a thousand of them if she can make it alive to her mansion. Her self-defense classes were really paying off and she mentally thanked her instructor.

When she reached the top of the fence, she carefully transferred herself to the other side and that's when she got a clear view on the location of the men – They were really close. Her heart fluttered in fear but she was careful not to let it interrupt her actions. She didn't have much parkour skills but she was not going to let that be the reason of her final breath. She believed in herself.

She climbed down as fast as her body would allow her but a thought stuck her like lightning and her concentration faltered – What if they were sharp shooters? If they were, then on the fence, she looked like an easy shot. She took a decision out of instinct and let go off the metal, plunging down to the ground beneath. It was a miracle that she landed on her feet, but unfortunately using her right foot's heel first. The moment she took another step she whimpered in pain because she did the opposite of what her instructor had taught her – 'Always land on your toes not you heel.'

"Damn it..." she cursed in pain as she tried to gain momentum to sprint but her bruised angle slowed her down. From the end of the alley, she spotted her mansion and began half-running half-limping towards it, not ready to give up yet.

Outside the entrance of the mansion, she spotted someone and the realization of who it was hit with great relief because it was Quisito. She swallowed the pain and began running faster, her eyes marking him as the finishing line.

Quisito was watching the whole thing like a Tom and Jerry cartoon, as if it was a normal thing to happen on a Sunday afternoon and did nothing to help her.

Kate was out of breath when she reached him and without a moment of contemplation, she threw her arms around him and fell on his chest, because he was her savior at that point. Wrapping a protective arm around her, Quisito raised the other hand that clutched a gun, ready to shoot the men behind her. She squeezed herself into his embrace, expecting an ear-piercing gunshot, but it never came. Confused at this strange behavior, she glanced up at him, but it looked as though he was smiling at someone.

Hissing in pain from the pressure on the ankle, she turned to look behind her and her chest tightened because the two men were walking towards them like normal people. When they were close enough, Quisito lowered the gun and gave them a signal with his eyes. With that, they took off their masks, revealing their identical faces – They were twins!