REDEMPTION

22. EARTH TO...

The whole household was in an uproar. Day had come but the feeling inside was one covered in darkness. Everyone ran back and forth. Some knew what they were looking for while others had no idea and just ran. One of their comrades had been shot dead on the spot just because he knew nothing of what was happening. Everyone took that example to heart and just ran. It did not matter to where. Their lives held first priority over this job because if they lost their lives, their families would have no one to protect them against their boss.

Those who knew what was missing had beads of sweat running down their faces like streams. Those who did not avoided being called by the boss and his trusted henchmen. And if they were, their answer was simple, “Not found yet.” This line prolonged their life a little longer as well as provided a chance for them to see their family again. Most of them were glad, however, human beings being human beings, always get impatient.

Soon, whoever said that phrase had his arm broken or worse, lost his life. One thing was clear, their boss was on edge and whatever had gotten lose, was of great importance. Getting information was an easy feat but at the moment, when lives were at stake, no one dared ask unnecessary questions.

They searched all over. From the mansion to the stables. From the servant quarters to the cells. And from the farm lands to the family cemetery. Yet, nothing was found. Not even a single clue was recovered. Fear gripped their hearts and slowly squeezed the lives out of them. They had a feeling death was waiting for them by the door. From far they could hear the banshee screaming in delight, ready to welcome their damned souls to hell.

Unable to find the unknown treasure of their beloved boss, they all dragged their feet reluctantly to see the boss. Their boss was seated by the garden, cigarette in hand. He had shades that covered the looking his eyes. This somehow make him approachable. His foot kept tapping the floor, indicating that his patience was running out. His black shoulder length hair was tied in a ponytail. A portion of it was left to fall over his left eye.

He was dressed in a white suit that was partly drenched in droplets of blood. However, he did not seem bothered by this. One of his henchmen poured him a cup of tea and stood next to him ready to pounce on anyone unknown individual. The man snapped his figures and a tall, bulky man who had stood not far from where he was, left to God-knows-where.

Soon, he came back with a few men and staged them before his boss before nodding in acknowledgement, then leaving. The five men before the boss all looked scared. One in particular was ready to have the heavens take him right there.

“Where is he?” he bellowed.

This startled all of them. The pressure was too much that one of the men present went on his knees and began’ begging for forgiveness. His words were all over the place. He made no sense. The rest, apart from one were dismissed. Their boss, Diablo, put down his cigarette and held the man’s shirt firmly.

“What do you know?” These were the words most people in the mansion had heard as their last. The answer he gave could mean his life or death. He looked up to the heavens and said a silent prayer. The man was slender and his weight did not amount to much since he had been bedridden until recently. His boss had been lenient to him and his family but now, he could tell that Diablo was not in a good mood.

“Yes-yesterday n-ni-night, - I-I s-s-saw Sasha, I-in c-cell… t-that one,” he stammered trying to make his sentences understood even though they were short. Diablo caught on immediately, he had only referred to that cell that way to Liam, prohibiting him from going anywhere near it. Liam, the man being held by Diablo, had heeded to his words and had stayed clear of the cell. He could also notice of anyone approached the cell since he could clearly see it on the way to his home.

“Fetch her,” Diablo ordered.

One henchman left at lightning speed. Since he had called down, he let go of Liam’s clothes and straightened it for him. Guilt spread all over his face. His anger had gotten the better part of him and he almost hurt Liam. He removed the shades that covered his eyes and looked at Liam with soft eyes. Diablo apologized and asked how he was doing. Liam was excited to answer. He gathered his thoughts before answering.

A little back and forth was witnessed between the two. And after a while, someone was ordered to take him to his home. Diablo’s soft eyes changed to angry ones the instant Liam was out of sight. He looked at the man who had tried to erase his presence but failed miserably.

“How did this happen.” It was more of a statement than a question. The man in question was the head of the cells. He was in charge of those in the cells and even after his men had gone through roll all, he would go through the cells one more time to confirm.

This morning as he was doing his rounds, he noticed that Ralph was not in his cell as usual. He immediately rushed out to call the men who had seen him in the morning but they claimed they did not remember anything from when they entered the cells. They did not even remember taking the roll call yet, they did.

Gillian immediately told Diablo of what had occurred and everything else happened leading to this point. Diablo’s henchman came back with a solemn look on his face.

“Where is she?”

“Boss, no one remembers her.”