SOMEBODY

CHAPTER-8 SEVERED

(Present Day, 24 November 2011)

Ethan was with his family in his car, his wife and their almost six-year-old daughter, Penelope Cross. He was driving a 2009 Lexus RX 350 on a mountain road outside of New York, traveling at 120 kmph. His wife was talking to their daughter about their trip, and Ethan was joining in the conversation, listening and responding. Penelope was eating a cookie in the backseat.

Out of nowhere, the car's back tire burst, causing it to lose control and crash into the road guardrail. The car flipped down the road five times. Everything was a blur for Ethan; the sounds of the crash echoed in his ears. He blinked, trying to stay conscious, when he saw two black SUVs stop in front of his car. Five men with guns emerged, accompanied by a man in a white suit. Ethan couldn't see their faces clearly.

They approached the car, pulling his wife and daughter out in front of him. He tried to move his hand but realized his right hand was severed at the elbow, with blood pooling around him. His left hand was badly torn. He tried to scream, but no sound came out. As they dragged his wife and daughter away, putting them in the trunk of their car, he managed to scream, "Nooooo!!!"

Ethan woke up in his bed, drenched in sweat. Ellie, sleeping next to him, woke up, frightened, and tried to calm him down. It was a nightmare. At 3 AM, he stood up and walked downstairs from his bedroom. His wife got up, put on her robe, and followed him.

"What did you see in your dream, honey?" she asked.

"Nothing, it's still night. You should sleep," Ethan replied.

"And what about you?" she asked.

"I'll come back to bed once I feel better," he said.

"Okay, Ethan," she said, kissing him before returning to bed.

Ethan went to the front yard and sat in a chair, thinking about the nightmare.

At Tomino Mansion, 3 AM

No one is left in the Tomino family except Alex Tomino, George Tomino's son. Five 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe and one Rolls Royce arrived at the gate of Tomino Mansion. Fifteen guards were stationed at the gate; two of them approached the front SUV and asked, "Whom do you want to meet?"

The driver of the SUV, accompanied by eight men all wearing black suits and holding SMGs, replied, "You see the Rolls Royce back there? Antonio Ferrara is inside it. He wants to meet Alex Tomino."

The guard responded, "I have to ask Mr. Tomino. Wait here, let me call and ask." He went and called Alex Tomino on his cellphone. Alex picked up the call, and the guard informed him that Antonio Ferrara wanted to meet him. Alex wondered why Antonio was there so late at night, but he agreed to let them in.

Antonio's convoy entered Tomino Mansion after the guards opened the gate. Forty-five bodyguards accompanied Antonio, all arriving in SUVs. He was in his Rolls Royce with his assistant, Marco. They got out of their vehicle, and Alex came to the door wearing a robe over his blue track pants. Antonio was dressed in a full red suit.

Alex approached Antonio and asked, "Hello, Mr. Antonio. Can you please tell me why you are here in the middle of the night? No offense intended."

Antonio smiled and replied, "None taken. I think we should talk in your office."

Alex asked, "Well, is it something important?"

Antonio replied, "Kind of."

Alex agreed and led him to his office while Marco accompanied Antonio. All of Antonio's guards stayed in the garden. Tomino Mansion also had 40 guards and many servants. The guard at the door tried to stop Antonio and Marco to check them, but Alex ordered him not to and let them enter, despite knowing who Antonio's father was.

Alex took Antonio and Marco into his office. A servant entered, asking if Antonio and Marco wanted anything. They requested two coffees, and the servant left to prepare them. Antonio and Marco sat on one sofa, while Alex settled on another.