CRIMINAL BOUND

CHAPTER 3

Hope you enjoy this chapter😉

The evening was getting colder and darker by the minute. Wind blew through the woods on both sides of the path to her mansion. Something seemed off. However, thinking its just an aftermath of the day's events, she ignored her guts. She took her headphones from her bag and put them on to drive the chills away, then kept going.

She was about twenty metres away from the bend to the gate when something moved around the bushes just behind her right side. She looked back instantly. The bush was still moving. On turning her head, she felt strong hands grabbing her arms. The headphones fell along with her stuff. She was too shocked to even scream. She was dragged into the woods. She tried hesitating but to no avail. Before she knew it, she was on the grass under a huge tree, dumbfounded.

The moonlight penetrated the canopy. With the help of it, she could see them. Guys in masks... All alike. She could hardly tell their identity. There were 6 of them at first, but the 7th came later with her stuff. He dropped them next to her.

"We stick to the plan." The seventh said. A trace of supremacy in his voice. Camilla concluded that he was the leader.

"Wait, guys... I have another idea." Another one suggested.

"We can't afford mistakes, let's just go with what we said." Said the third.

"Come on, at least hear me out." He pleaded.

"Just shut the hell up, Mike! A fourth, clearly pissed, blurted out. Every one of them looked at him at the same time. It took him a while to realize his mistake.

"Crap!" He bit his bottom lip. "I'm so sorry, I screwed u-" He didn't even get a chance to finish his apology.

"Save it. Now we have to clean up your mess." The leader walked towards Camilla,  and pulled down the bandana off her mouth.

"Please... Let me go... I won't say anything... I swear... I'll give you anything you want... Please..." She pleaded in tears.

"Shut up." He said surprisingly calm. "Do we look like we're interested in anything you have to offer?" He grabbed her by the throat and drew extremely close to her. His eyes reflected the moonlight. Those eyes. So familiar. But in her state of mind, she could not even start thinking about where she had seen them before. She was too afraid to even breathe before him.

"Please," she begged, but he pressed his grip on her throat that no voice could come out. Tears flowed down her face as her lungs fought for air.

Suddenly, headlights shone towards their direction and stopped. Then footsteps were heard drawing closer and closer as they grew louder and clearer. The gang leader immediately released her and sprung to his feet. Camilla coughed, gasping for air. She really thought she had breathed her last.

Whoever was walking must have heard her for his footsteps shuffled faster on the dry leaves all over the ground.

"Let's get out of here!" The gang leader ordered.

"But she has one of our names," One of them reminded him.

"Yeah. She could sell us out." Another seconded.

"Look at her... I don't think she'll be speaking any time soon. We'll get her next time. Come on." He led the way deeper into the woods. They we're out of sight in no time.

Camilla was left staring into thin air, until she felt a tap on her shoulder. She shrieked.

"Miss Kerm?" The man called, unsure. Apparently he was her mother's good friend. "What are you doing here all alone at this time?" He observed her. "Have you been crying? Did someone hurt you?" She would not respond. He helped her up and got her bags. "Let me get you home." He led her to his car and drove her to her place.

They met Camilla's mother on their way in. Jeffrey, being the gentleman he always is, kissed her hand accompanied by "Always a pleasure Mrs. Kerm,". Camilla just walked past her and ran upstairs, locking herself in her room.

"Forgive her mindless behavior... Teenagers..." Ava excused Camilla's act.

"I understand. But I think there's more to it." He said with a touch of concern.

"What do you mean?" She was perplexed for a moment. Jeffrey filled her in on what he had seen. Ava was worried sick. But she decided that she would talk to her until the next morning. She was in no condition to see anyone at that moment.

"Thank you very much for getting her home safely. Have a safe drive home." She bid him.

"Have a lovely night." He replied. "I enjoy our visits." He got into his car and drove away as she watched.  She sighed then walked back into the house.

Hey guys...  I know its a bit short.  But its getting better. Trust me
Sweet LOVE:)