The Mafia's Secret(Book 1)

Chapter 27 ✔️

SCARLETT

I recognized the man from the hardware store. Only his name slipped my mind. He had the biggest mischievous grin on his face as he closed the door behind him. He took a step forward, looking around the room before turning his attention on me. Grabbing one of the kitchen knives, I kept a firm grip, waiting for either one to come at me. The man I recognized, snickered, shaking his head as he pointed towards the knife.
"Cute. But I think you forget we have guns, my dear." He lifted a hand. The second he did so, three pistols were pointed at me. "Why make this difficult? Just tell us where the girl is and we'll take both of you back alive."
"How did you find this place?!" I spat, avoiding mentioning Mindy.
"It was quite easy really. A little tracker on Xavier's car was more than enough to do the trick. So do make this easy and just tell us where the girl is. I'd hate to make a mess."
"You'll have to kill me before I tell you anything!" I seethed.
"So be it." He turned his head towards the two men behind him. "Bring her to me."
They could have shot me. I wished they had as the two men came towards me while the other started ransacking the house in search of Mindy. I hoped they wouldn't find out about the cellar. I had no plans to tell them about it no matter what. I would die rather than expose Mindy to this.
The first man reached for my arm. Taking a step back, I swung the knife in his direction. He easily dodged it as the other man came from the other side. Both snickering like dogs about to catch their prey. But I wouldn't give up without a fight. I kept swinging the knife towards them, careful not to let them get too close. The first man lunged forward. With every amount of courage I had, I swung the knife, slicing it into the side of his face. He let out a howl of pain. I wanted to be proud of myself but before I could, the man behind me, wrapped his ginormous arms around me. With what little movement that gave me, I swung my head back, connecting with his nose. He grunted, loosening his grip enough for me to swing my arm back, plunging the knife into his side. He let out a howl of pain, releasing me.
Dropping to the floor, I swung the knife into his leg, forcing him to his knees. Before I could swing out again, the other grabbed my hair, yanking my head back with so much force that I let out a yelp of pain, dropping the knife. Before I could blink, I was pulled to my feet and shoved into the counter. Grabbing the only pan in sight, I swung it back, only for my arm to be caught in midair. A fist came flying into my face, knocking me back onto the floor. My vision started to spin and my nose was gushing blood. The metallic taste filling my mouth. Spitting, I kicked my leg into his groin, attempting to crawl away. Before I could get a few feet, a leg came flying into my abdomen. Gasping out as all air was knocked from my lungs, I struggled to breathe as a figure loomed over me.
A small scream filled the air. Turning my head, Mindy was being carried out the door. I knew she must have heard the commotion, wanting to investigate. Watching her disappear from sight, the man crouched down beside me, tilting his head as a devilish grin crossed his face. He held something shiny in his hand, twirling it with his fingers.
"This could have been avoided. Now I guess I'll have to explain to Darren why I wasn't able to bring you." He plunged the knife into my side, causing me to gasp out with what little air I had left. "But I'm sure someone will pay me once they find out you're dead." He left without another word.

* * * *

It was peaceful. There were no people. Just a soft colored meadow with too many different types of flowers to count. The small breeze, moving them in a way that made satisfying ripples. I haven't felt this much peace in a long time. Safe from everything and everyone.
Walking along the grass, I grazed my hands along the tops, not really sure of where I was going. All I knew was that the further I walked, the more at peace I seemed to be. So I kept walking until I came to a pond. It was beautiful. Lilies covered the top. Their beautiful flowers open on display, allowing monarch butterflies to collect their pollen. Small frogs jumped from lily to lily, croaking soft songs to each other. As I sat down, I couldn't help but observe my reflection in the water. Something was different. There were no scars, cuts or bruises. There was nothing but the soft eyes staring back at me.
As I touched my finger tip to the water, small ripples formed, spreading across the water. A shadow suddenly formed in the water, forming a person. They were staring at me through the water. A saddened look on their face as the water cleared. Once the water was still, my eyes widened in shock at what laid before me. I had to be dead! She was dead! I watched her die!
"It's been a long time, Scarlett." Her voice was soft but there was a certain sadness to it. Turning to face her, there was no one there. But as I turned back to the pond, there she was. "Why didn't you save me?"
"I'm sorry, Bianca! I tried! I really did try!" Tears welled in my eyes as small sobs started to escape my lips.
"You betrayed me. It's your fault."
"I know! I tried to keep you out of it! I swear I did!"
"It doesn't matter now. You can't save me. But you can save her."
"Save who?"
"You know who. Save her, Scarlett. Before it's too late."
"I don't know who you're talking about! Save who?!"
"You need to wake up now."
"What?"
"Wake up, Scarlett. Save her."
She started to fade away. Panic consumed me. I didn't want to lose her again. Slamming my hand into the water, aggressive ripples formed and then she was gone. I was alone once more. The longer I stared into my reflection, the more I noticed cuts and bruises forming out of nowhere. My nose started to bleed. My left eye was swollen and purple. Blood pooling into the water, turning it red.
Pulling away from the water, there was no pain and no blood anywhere. I was unharmed. But the second I turned back to the water, the blood was there. Something was wrong. This wasn't real. Where was I? What was this?
Standing up, everything was spinning. Dozens of crows came out of nowhere, cawing and screaming words as they circled around me.
"Wake up!"
"Save me!"
"Help us!"
It was too much. Covering my ears, I tried to block out the voices, collapsing to my knees. Their talons clawing all over my back as I begged for this to stop. Screaming as the pain consumed my body, everything suddenly stopped. Then there was nothing but the sobs my lips let out.
"WAKE UP!"