C14 TEARS AND PAIN

They took a left turn and stopped in front of a dark coloured room, where screams of people being tortured could be heard.

The sounds of fists meeting flesh echoed from the room.

Carl nodded to him, then 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, Patrick greeted. Here are, the hostages. We caught the five of them trespassing" a hard faced looking man, with bald head kowtowed to them respectfully. He held a small knife with blood dripping down from it on his hand

With a cold dark gaze, Carl stared at the men trembling in pain, who were curled up on the cold floor. His expression became fierce, as he shot them a dark piercing gaze. He sauntered towards the men who were badly bruised. Their face reflected pain and torture. Identifying Pascal, he grabbed him by the hair fiercely. He released a painful scream. And began pleading.

"Pl...please...am so... sorry, please" Desperate lines etched on his forehead, as his face was badly stained with blood.

His eyes swollen, and his face badly bruised. A metallic chair was brought to him, and he sat down elegantly. Douglas and Oliver mounted behind him. He nodded to his men, cold water was brought and splashed on the five of them. Then the placed them in a sitting position.

"All I want from you is the truth. Who sent you?" He asked with an expressionless face

Pascal shivered, his body trembling with fear from the intimidating aura. "N...n...no o...one pl...please, don't hurt me" he looked up, fear stricken all over his face

Oliver and Douglas exchanged glances, their face void of emotions, Douglas the expert in torture moved towards him.

"When my boss asks about something, it means he knows about it. So we expect you not to lie about it. Okay?" He tapped his chin twice and smiled slyly

"I'll ask for the last time. Who sent you?" Douglas asked him as a cold glint passed through his eyes.

"I ..sw...swear, no one" he replied nearly choked on his tears

Carl shifted on his chair, then signaled Douglas. He strode forward and grabbed a dagger that hung on the wall, then moved towards Pascal.

"N...no... please, n..o please" he pleaded beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he began retreating, as if he could enter the wall. Grabbing the man's right hand A piercing scream was heard as his right finger was cut off.

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Hazel's abrupt awakening sent a shiver down her spine. The haunting silence of the house magnified her anxiety.

"Carl?" she called out, feeling the side of the bed, reaching out for him. Her heart raced faster when she discovered he was not there. The vacant space beside her heightened her sense of isolation.Shit! She cursed as she remembered all that Heather had told her. No, no , no. Fear gripped her. She preyed it wasn't what she was thinking. Wrapping the sheets around her, she got up and rushed to Beatrice's room.

Knocking twice, she got no response. Worried, she opened the door fiercely.

"Beatrice? Bea?" She suddenly realized it was empty.

Glancing around the house's unusual emptiness fueled Hazel's unease. A sudden onset of nausea, a throbbing headache, and a feverish feeling fuelled her to find Carl urgently. Grabbing a coat, she stepped outside, greeted by the cool night that struggled to reveal the moon through the overcast sky.

It was almost dawn, and the moon was yet to relieve the clouds. A disoriented and deeply troubled, Hazel wandered aimlessly. All that was in her mind was to locate Carl. She prayed silently that he hadn't been abducted, as the entire house was so quiet.

In her hazy state, she found herself in the backyard, standing before an unfamiliar garage door. Moving closer, she noticed that the door was slightly ajar. As she cautiously pushed it open, a chilling scream pierced the air. What the hell was this place? Fear gripped her as she stumbled backward. Shocked and disoriented, Hazel stepped on someone—

She turned quickly "Fuck! Beatrice?" Hazel's exclamation carried a mix of laughter and startled surprise. You startled me."

"Sorry, she apologized. What are you doing here?"Beatrice face seemed puzzled by Hazel's presence outside.

"I'm searching for Carl. I could not find him after I woke up" she replied nervously

"Oh" the sound escaped Beatrice's lips as she studied the girl

"Yeah. Beatrice awkward stare made her nervous. By the way, what is this place?" She motioned to Beatrice.Her eyes fixated on the mysterious door. She maintained a cool expression, taking a deep breath. She turned her gaze to Hazel.

"I don't know. Look, it's not safe out here. Let's go inside." She led Hazel back inside the house.

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A piercing scream was heard as two of Pascal's right finger was cut off. Same thing was done to the others.

In the dim light, Douglas kept on torturing the prisoners. His motives were laced with menace as he grabbed Pascal's finger and pierced a knife inside it.

"You thought you could threaten my family and go unpunished?" He sneered, his voice cutting through the silence. The more time you make us waste here, the more you loose your body parts" Douglas snarled at him, as blood dripped off the tiny dagger he held.

"I'm...t.. telling you th..tr...truth. Pascal wailed loudly. Blood stains on his shirt. I..it was just a random job. At first, we were told to kidnap you alone. But plans changed suddenly, the told us to kidnap your wife as well." He concluded and clutched his bleeding palm.

"Who?!" Douglas barked

"I swear it. I don't know. We were never told"

Wrinkling his face, Douglas turned to his boss. "Sir, I think he's saying the truth"

Carl studied Pascal for a minute, his eyes filled with menace. He chuckled, and slowly stood up then left the room with Oliver and Douglas trailing behind him.

"Sir? Are we going to leave them like that? What are we going to do about the issue st hand?" Oliver asked curiously

Carl's expression darkened as he thought for a moment then replied. "I know our community has a small population, and all of them are not all that financially buoyant. But then where could one of them have enough money to pay five men off to kidnap my wife?" They all returned back to the entrance, and Carl pressed some buttons, then the place sealed automatically, like there was no door there.

"That's true. Oliver gave a knowing nod. They were all fighting for freedom. But that person has another motive, to abduct you and your wife. That means, with such wealth the person has, if there's no boss, nor his wife. He or she could become the new leader." He raise his eyebrows

"That's true, so boss that means you're not longer safe, as you have an enemy." Douglas concluded

"Maybe it's time you told the so called big boss about this" Oliver said

"Big boss? He chuckled. He was owing the big boss and huge amount of money, and now he will go to him because he isn't feeling safe? Hell, he can't go to him at all because he doesn't know him physically. Carl chuckled internally. That was funny, working for someone you don't know. That's not really necessary" he said

"Are you sure sir? Okay, just know someone is after your neck. He wondered with a confused face. But who?..."

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"Hazel honey, I don't think you should stay alone. it's okay, you could wait for him in my room" Beatrice suggested

As they entered her room, Hazel suddenly felt nauseous and rushed into the bathroom. Beatrice stood wide eyed. Confusion written all over her face.

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Minutes passed by, before Hazel came out of the bathroom. Beatrice sat on the bed and watched her as she walked in. The atmosphere seemed charged with tension. Beatrice, noticing Hazel's cold demeanor and the early symptoms she exhibited, decided to speak up.

"Hazel love, she stood up from the bed. Are you alright? How are you feeling?" Concern was written all over her face

"What are you talking about? I'm alright. Might be the hangover from the party. I'm fine don't worry your head." She concluded

She let her gaze sweep through Hazel. "I'm not convinced, you're looking pale" she gently placed her palm on Hazel's forehead. In shock she looked at her face. Fever, vomiting, pale look. Hold on, she looked at Hazel. Don't tell me ———. Beatrice rushed to the bathroom and came back with a white stick. Here, pee in this" she handed her the test stick

Frown lines etched on Hazel's forehead. "What the hell is that?" She pointed at it

"It's just some stuff I have on me Incase I miss my period" she replied and winked at her

"What? Do you think am pregnant?.I don't underst———"

"You don't have to, just go in there and pee on it already." She pushed Hazel gently

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The room became a sanctuary for mixed emotions. Beatrice sat on the bed, anticipation was palpable, and she couldn't wait for the results. The seconds ticked away, building suspense. She couldn't imagine the consequences.

Hazel honey, hurry up. It only takes seconds" her patience was running out. Are you done?" She asked Hazel who was coming out of the bathroom holding the stick and wearing a confused look.

"Yes I am, I don't understand this thing?" She handed it over to Beatrice

Beatrice collected it, and her eyes widened.

"OMG, Hazel!... you're pregnant!" she exclaimed.