A017's POV
Five days had felt like an eternity. The relentless torture had sapped my strength, leaving me weak and barely conscious. Each day blurred into the next, marked only by the agonizing pain and the cruel laughter of Rafaela and Rigo. Despite my desperate hope, the CBI had not yet located us. My spirit wavered, but a flicker of determination kept me going. I clung to the memory of Eric and the love we shared. It was that thought that drove me to keep fighting.
Rafaela and Rigo returned, their faces twisted with sadistic glee. They threw a bucket of cold water over me, the shock of the icy liquid cutting through the haze of my pain. Their laughter echoed in the confined space, and I could barely muster the strength to flinch. My body was a map of bruises and cuts, and my wrists were raw from the chains binding them.
Rafaela: (mockingly) "How's that for a wake-up call? You look like you're about ready to give up."
Rigo: (with a cruel smile) "It's almost time for the grand finale. We'll see how long you last."
I could barely respond. My strength was waning, but a flicker of hope sparked within me as I heard the unmistakable sound of gunshots in the distance. The CBI had to be here. They had to rescue me.
With the noise of the raid growing louder, I struggled to loosen my wrists from the chains. The sound of gunfire was my signal; I had to act quickly. My hands were still bound, but I managed to reach for a gun dropped by one of the men who had tortured me. With painstaking effort, I freed the gun and, despite the agony, I aimed and fired.
Liezel: (muttering to herself) "For every bullet, one of you falls."
I managed to get off seven shots, each one finding its mark. But my movement caught Rigo's attention, and I felt a searing pain as a bullet tore through my right leg. I screamed in agony, unable to defend myself further. Rigo's voice boomed through the chaos.
Rigo: (screaming) "You think you can escape? I'll make sure you die slowly!"
He fired another shot, this time hitting me in the shoulder. I fell back, my vision dimming as I struggled to stay conscious. Blood flowed freely from my wounds, and the pain was overwhelming.
Through the haze, I saw flashes of gunfire and the figures of CBI agents storming the room. The sound of their weapons and shouts was a welcome relief, but it was accompanied by Rafaela's desperate threat.
Rafaela: (holding the detonator) "Move any closer, and I'll blow this place to pieces!"
The CBI agents hesitated, knowing the danger of the explosives. But unbeknownst to Rafaela, snipers were positioned around the area, watching the standoff. As Rigo continued to shoot at me, the agents returned fire, their bullets finding their targets.
The room erupted into chaos. Agents fought to subdue Rigo and Rafaela while I lay on the ground, losing blood fast. My vision was fading, and the last thing I remember before slipping into unconsciousness was the intense firefight and the hope that help had truly arrived in time.
