Falling For The Mob

55 Tuesday

Sam

I shoot up in bed, drenched in sweat as I try to grasp reality. I haven't been plagued by those dreadful dreams in months, why are they back now?

Unfortunately, I have more pressing matters to attend to. The wall clock in my childhood bedroom tells me I have been asleep for less than two hours. They took Zoë, and instead of helping me, Addy decided that the best thing to do was drug me and knock me out. She could be out of the country by now. I will have to personally skin every guard who has failed at protecting her.

I kick down the door to the lounge and find my entire family sitting there. It has been converted into some form of a war room, with every high-level guard, runner, and IT specialist doing whatever they can to trace Zoë. But I am too clouded by my rage to even give them a second glance.

My eyes immediately land on the small redheaded devil who jumps behind her husband's much larger frame for protection. Little does she know that I will not think twice before snapping my cousin in half to get to her.

My eyes burn into her as I start to march forward. Before I can get too close, I am grabbed by the shoulder and thrown down on the couch.

I flip back up and take my fighting stance but immediately freeze when I see it is my own father blocking my path.

His hair is disheveled, his tie is undone, and his Armani suit is wrinkled like he slept in it. His eyes are filled with worry.

"I don't condone what she did, but turning on each other right now is the last thing we need. You may battle this out at a later time, but now you need to calm down and think, Samantha!"

His voice becomes louder with each word. I can't remember the last time my father shouted at me or raised his voice in any way. Ever since I got back to the city, he has treated me like a fragile animal and that overstepping in any way could cause me to snap.

Addy stares back at me from behind her husband. She tries acting tough, but we both know that once my father's protection wears off, she will be at my mercy.

My glare is interrupted by the loud buzz of an incoming message on my phone. The room falls silent. The only people who have that number besides Zoë are in this room. And the unknown number that has summoned me in the middle of the night.

A short written message is displayed, again from that same unknown number.

"A worthy prize can only be given if one is willing to open their first clue." I read out loud.

"What the hell does that mean?" My cousins look as puzzled as I am feeling, until realization hits me.

Quickly, I run to my jacket that was left draped over one of the chairs. The small colorful box that was handed to me earlier is still in the pocket. I rip the wrapping and open the box to find a stainless steel key along with a note.

'How predictable you have become, Principessa. Clouded by your anger, you lost sight of the important things. Typical Claymore behavior, how disappointing.

Toying with you seems almost unfair, but nonetheless, the game has begun.

Years ago, Little Sambug lost her mother. Will she be able to stop herself from making the same mistakes as Jack?

Your clock starts now, the key is your first clue, you have two days to find her. After that, I will get bored and who knows what will happen then.'

As I place the note down on the table, I stare at the people in front of me. My 'family,' those I should trust. Those I have given my life to protect. They all stare at me in shock. Pain and pity grace their features.