The grey gloomy sky grumbled restlessly. The dark clouds became, even more, darker and couldn’t withstand the weight of the large water droplets. The rain poured down heavily over the city. The gregarious sound of thunder could be heard loudly.
Under the heavy rain, a sportbike was running at a very high speed which was followed by two black Range Rovers. The road was almost empty due to the heavy rainfall. Bruno Lane was looking back from time to time. Panic and fear both were evident on his face. Raindrops were hitting on his face turning his vision blurry, but he couldn’t stop running. The people in those cars were chasing him to snatch his life away. He couldn’t believe that his boss actually sent men to kill him. He was always loyal to him. He had done robbery, hacking, drug dealing, and many more countless crimes under his order. He thought he was his favorite but it was all his illusion.
“Boom…”
Suddenly the gunfire sound roared in the empty road and the bullet hit on the back wheel of his bike. Bruno lost balance. The bike fell and slid to the ground for a few yards with a screeching sound. Bruno rolled a few times on the road and groaned in pain. The two Range Rovers stopped beside him. The doors of the cars opened and several men came down encircling him. Bruno’s eyes roved on the faces of the people circling around him and rested on the elongated, bony face of a man. The villainous smirk on his face could send a chill to anyone.
Lightning shone on the dark road almost blinding them followed by a loud rumbling of thunder. The rain started getting heavier and heavier. Bruno wiped the water droplets from his face and narrowing his eyes, he tried to look at the man’s face clearly. He was wearing a black raincoat and was grinning at Bruno showing his golden capped canine tooth.
“Why boss? I was loyal to you. Then why this?” Bruno asked while whining in pain.
But the man didn’t reply to him immediately. He started laughing loudly, looking up at the downpouring sky, sending a shiver to Bruno’s spine. He tried to get up but two men punched him on his face and stomach. They stepped on both shoulders and Bruno writhed to break free, but he got more punches and kicks. Blood was dripping down from his left eyebrow as well as from the corner of his lips. The two men then picked him up and knelt him down in front of their boss, holding his two arms from both sides.
Bruno’s head was hanging down as he was half-conscious, mouth slightly opened while saliva, mixed with blood, dripped down.
“There is no doubt that you were loyal to me, but recently you have become very strong. I saw an increase in your followers and you have started giving orders to my men without my permission. How can I allow you to climb up on my head.”
His anger filled fierce voice startled Bruno and he lifted his head with great difficulty to look at the man whom once he admired the most. He sneered at his stupidity for accompanying and trusting him blindly. Bruno chuckled and said “I was wrong to think that you loved me. I have done so many things to strengthen this gang. I have followed every command of yours without asking a question, but in the end, you rewarded me like this.” He laughed loudly and looking at his fellow gang members, he sneered “Hey you fools. Do you think he will spare you? He can order to kill his most trusted man then what are you? One day he will kill you all…” Before he could finish his sentence, he got several kicks from back and front.
Bruno coughed blood and he looked up at the boss, panting heavily. There was no fear of death in that pair of bloodshot eyes. The corner of his lips hooked up with a sinister smirk and exclaimed “Kill me… If you leave me here then I will come back and snatch everything from you…”
Boom… Boom…
The boss shot two bullets without giving time to Bruno to finish speaking. One bullet hit on the left side of his chest and another one hit just in the middle of the forehead. Smoke was coming out from the tip of the gun. Blowing the smoke, the boss turned around and got in the car, followed by all his men. The two Range Rover ran away swiftly from there. Bruno’s lifeless body was lying on the road quietly. The blood streamed down from his wounds along with the raindrops.
….
Headache… ‘My head…It’s hurting so much.’ Bruno mumbled in his mind.
He tried to open his eyes but he felt a heaviness on his eyelids as though someone put massive rocks on them. After scuffling for a while, he opened his eyes with great difficultly. Squinting his eyes, he looked around only to see white walls and a white ceiling. He found himself lying on the sickbed.
‘Oh…I am in the hospital. Phew…’ He mumbled and puffed. ‘Wait… Didn’t I die?’
He subconsciously touched his forehead. His eyes widened in surprise. He clearly remembered that the bullet hit on his forehead, so there should be a hole then why he felt nothing but smoothness. Other than a splitting headache, he felt no pain. He then looked down on his chest and touched on the left side where the bullet hit, but he didn’t feel any pain there too. Strange… Was the medical science so improved that it could heal the wounds without any trace so soon? He was puzzled and couldn’t help but thank the doctors who saved his life. The corner of his lip curled up mockingly, but after thinking something, his smile faded gradually. It was not possible that the wound could heal overnight. That meant he woke up after a long long time. He had no idea how long he was lying senseless in that hospital. He looked around to find someone to ask what the date was but no one was there, not even a nurse.
He threw down the blanket that was covering his body and tried to get off the bed but he couldn’t move his legs. His eyebrows pulled together and looked down at his legs. He frowned even more deeply to see the fair feet of him. Originally his complexion was honey-toned, then how come his feet became so fair? He stretched his arms and looked down. Strange… his skin tone changed so drastically. Could it be that he was lying in the hospital for many days and his complexion lightened or could it be that all the blood drained away from his body? He winched and rubbed his forehead as the headache increased a bit. He tried to move his legs again but to his surprise, he couldn’t move an inch. He felt numbness on his legs. His brows furrowed and a shiver ran through his body. ‘Paralyzed…’ His mind whispered loudly in his ears.
“Damian Cox, you motherfu**er… because of you I have become a crippled man. I will f**k your ass soon.” He cursed loudly in frustration.
Just as he was fuming in anger, the ward door pushed open and three people came inside. With his eagle sharp eyes, Bruno cast his inspective gaze, brows raised slightly. He saw one doctor, one nurse, and a man. His eyes darted on that tall, lean, muscular man who was wearing a white shirt and a pair of black pants. He looked at him up and down in a suspicious gaze. He could say that he never saw this man in his life but why he was feeling the familiarity towards him as though that man was following him for years. He was pulled out of his trance by the doctor’s words “Hello Mr. Smith… how are you feeling now?”
Bruno’s eyes shifted immediately to the doctor who was grinning at him. He narrowed his eyes and stared at the doctor. He thought the doctor might have wrongly addressed him so he said with a slightly irritated tone “I am not feeling good. I can’t move my legs. Can you tell me what the f**k is going on?”
All three people were speechless and looked at each other. Shock and puzzle were evident on their faces. Philip Russel was the most shocked. His jaw almost hit the ground to hear the foul language from his boss’s mouth.
After a while, the doctor said “Mr. Smith… calm down. Everything will be fine. I know you are in pain but accept reality.”
‘What? Accept reality! To be crippled?’ His scalp went numb to hear the doctor. The bullet that hit on his forehead paralyzed his legs. He blinked and stared at the doctor blankly, mouth agape. The doctor pitied him after seeing his condition and said “Mr. Smith… You should follow my instructions and stop attempting suicide.”
“Suicide?” Bruno shouted instantly. “I didn’t attempt suicide. Someone shot me.” Pointing to his forehead and his chest he said “Here and here. And by the way, why are you calling me Mr. Smith? I am Bruno Lane.”
“Bruno Lane!”
“Bruno Lane…”
“Bruno Lane?”
All the three shouted in unison. Bruno was taken aback and looked at them incredulously.