C13 THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS

The clouds were still dark and the reflection of the moon danced on top of the building. Heather could be seen addressing the entire Sand-community warriors bravely, without an ounce of doubt in her eyes. Just as any community leader would do, she kept on assigning positions to each person.

The entire warriors were outside the cave, standing in a choreographic manner, listening attentively to Heather. She stood on a high rock as she addressed them.

"Pascal would take five skilled men and go ahead of us, to indicate if the path is still clear. Those five men would break into his house to abduct him. Her eyes danced round. Then five other set would join, that should be few minutes after the signal has been indicated for us to proceed. And Pascal, make sure landmarks are indented so we won't go off track. she gazed at them once more. Then, after you guys have gone a few yards, the rest of us, that is the weaker folks would join the group. We would be in a group of three, hold strong to your weapons, to defend yourselves. She concluded and stepped down from the rock. Anything to say, Pascal?"

"Yes. I'll take five men that would aid in abducting Carl. Should anything go wrong, that's when I'll need backup. You guys.As we know our leader has been to the city, and has aquired their modern knowledge. So am sure he their technology lock and stuffs like that. We need to be extra cautious and smart if we are going embark on this. We are not going on a war, but we know our leader cares less about us. He could murder us all. We know he's a heartless man. That's why we armed ourselves. He gazed at them once more then on his children, as much as we have to carry out own weight, leave no man behind, this battle is not for you and me alone, but for all of us. This is how we survive, this is how we sustain ourselves. Lastly, Note that his henchmen are great fighters, so avoid getting hit by any of them. If everything goes well, you guys don't need to come in....Now anybody has anything he needs clarity on?"

There was a brief pause and a little chattering among themselves

"Well?... nothing?... anyone? Okay in absence of no other question, we all make our move now"

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They began setting out. Beginning from Pascal's group, in a set of five. After the had gone two yards, the skilled fighters, began to set out.

They had at reached a yard before Carl's house. At least twenty feet before them was his gate. So they paused and waited for the rest to arrive.

Heather's group finally reached them. They say under a tree to wait.

"Our distress signal would be a whistle sound. Pascal informed them. Should anything go wrong, I'll blow a whistle, informing you guys to come help us.He informed them. If there's nothing else, we'll go now"

"Good luck. My friend" Heather tapped his shoulders, and they left.

As they approached Carl's house. There was a thin thread that detects human heart beat, tied beneath a tree they didn't take notice of. As they walked pass it, signals were sent. ---

~~~~~ Inside Carl's Mansion ~~~~~

[Beep, beep, beep, beep] The alarm at the control room rang loudly

Oliver threw the sheets and jumped up from the bed. With sleepy eyes, he stumbled towards a little monitor on the desk. Clicking on the security cameras, he suddenly noticed armed humans outside the house. With haste, Oliver raced outside and alerted everyone, then dashed to his boss bedroom.

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With a smile on his face, Carl kept on staring and admiring the sleeping beauty beside him, as he brushed a strand of hair off her face. He placed a light kiss on her forehead as he kept on staring at her.

With her head resting on his chest, Hazel slept peacefully. Carl hugged her tightly and patted her back softly.

He became a bit startled as he heard footsteps approaching from the hallway. Who the hell could it be by this time? Carl wondered. The steps became hurried. Alerted Carl drew out a drawer from his bedside cupboard, and drew out a loaded pistol.

Suddenly the door banged open, and Carl swiftly aimed at the stranger.---

"Fuck! Oliver? He cursed, you could have gotten yourself killed, why would you do something like this?"

"I'm so sorry sir, but we have some strange midnight visitors!" Oliver rattled to him with a stern face

"What?! How?" Carl carefully placed Hazel's face on a pillow and stood up.

"The heartbeat machine detected them. It's not safe any longer"

Carl, ever composed, tossed aside the sheets, revealing his muscular frame. Determination flickered in his eyes as he swiftly dressed. Hazel sat up on the bed, as she watched him with a mix of concern and fear.

"Where are you going?" Hazel questioned, her eyes reflecting worry. You can't go out there. Stay here with me."

Carl paused, looking into her eyes, "I need to protect you, Hazel. There are some issues I need to handle right now.My family is here, and I won't let anyone threaten us."

"I don't understand. Her words came out in whispers. You're scaring me love"

"Don't worry your preety head, I just got few stuffs to take care of. I'll be right back" Grabbing a pistol and a set of brass knuckles, Carl equipped himself for whoever it was.

"Come on, let's leave" he whispered lightly, dragging Oliver by the arm.

He kissed Hazel on the forehead before striding out of the room.

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As they hastily made their way through the dimly lit corridor of his house, the alarm system alerted Oliver, his loyal henchman. The atmosphere in Carl's house transformed from the quiet of the night to one charged with tension.

"Oliver, take your best men to guard my parents room, and two to protect Hazel and my sister. The rest should take care of the mess outside." He said and walked towards the back door

"Sir? What about you?" He raised his eyebrows confused

"Mind your fucking business! Carl yelled at him. Just do what I asked you to"

"Yes sir." Oliver said and assembled all their henchmen. You three, he pointed at three of his men. Go to boss's parents room. You two, to Hazel's room. Marshal, Douglas and you two come with me"

He ordered, equipping themselves properly. As Carl ventured into the darkness outside, Oliver silently shadowed him, ready for whatever awaited them.

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At the back of his house, Carl waited under a tree impatiently for someone. His expression was stern as he gazed around impatiently.

He heard rustling in the bushes and aimed his pistol swiftly at the sound. His expression softened as he the shadow emerged.

"Took you long enough. You said you wanted to see me?"

"Yes sir, I actually wanted to before things got out of hand. But I guess you know now"

"About the chipmunks in my house? Yeah I do. But I want to know one thing, who mobilized you guys?" Carl asked

"Easy guess, its your wife. She knows about everything"

"Hazel knows you were coming to harm my parents and I?"

"Exactly sir"

Carl took in deep breath. "If this is all you can leave. Stay away from this mess, I'll handle the rest"

"Okay sir. Carl turned leave. One more thing sir. I think they were not only here for you, they would also take Hazel with them?."

"They were planning on abducting my wife? Carl's eyes widened. Why?"

"I swear on my life I don't know, but the on e name Pascal would be in a better position to provide answers for that."

Carl's face hardened "you can leave" He concluded and rushed inside with hurried steps

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In the darkened outskirts of the community, the freedom fighters moved cautiously towards Carl's residence, unaware that they were walking into a trap. The night was pregnant with tension as the two worlds collided.

"Let's split up. They won't see us that way. Once you see Carl, alert the rest of us" they suggested, and the five of them separated....

Pascal headed to the backyard. Using the bushes as his cover. Crouching, he patted the grasses with his hand.

BANG! He heard gunshot, followed by scream.Turning his head towards the sound of the gunshots on high alert. He stood up and began heading towards the direction of the shots.

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The early morning breeze blew lightly, taking dust with them and the smell of early morning nature, which gave a calm sensation filled the air. Carl was dressed in a dark pyjamas and wore a dark coat as he strode gently to the back of his house. Oliver, Marshal and Douglas followed him behind. They stopped at a small house. Carl pressed a button on a side of the house, and a ground beneath them opened, revealing an underground pathway, as they walked inside, the ground closed up.

Surprisingly, inside was a very large building in red color, as they walked through a long hallway with different rooms on each side. They took a left turn and stopped in front of a dark coloured room, where screams of people could be heard.

Douglas pushed the door open, and the smell of the stench of blood hit their nose. Different object and weapons hung on the wall.

"Big boss" a hard faced looking man, with bald head kowtowed to them respectfully. He held a small knife on his hand

Carl's gaze fell on the man who was curled up on the floor. His face stretched with a sly grin as he recognized him...

"What's up Pascal ---".