The Love From Vengeance

128 IN THE DARK

LUKE’S POV

My hands were trembling as I looked down at the blood dripping from the gunshot wound. The gun slipped from my grasp, clattering to the ground. I wanted to scream to let out the agony I was feeling, but I couldn’t find the strength. The pain was overwhelming, radiating through my entire body. I could feel my hands shaking as I tried to hold myself together. The intense pain was almost unbearable, but I knew I had to stay strong.

After hearing the sounds of rustling bushes, I turned around, only to see a group of men coming out of the bushes, treading in our direction. Sort of many, I’d say. I noticed that each one of them was armed with a gun, pointing at me and Andre, who I could tell was shocked and afraid. We were completely outnumbered, right at the mercy of these strangers. It was clear that we were in a dangerous and potentially life–threatening situation. I wasn’t going to let fear take over. Letting this woman win was definitely not it.

“What are you going to do now, Pushki?” My mother asked, smirking. I could only glare at her. The moment she snapped her fingers, I was hit from behind. And I didn’t know how they did it or what they used. But the strike had caused me to lose consciousness.

****

MASON’S POV

I made my way through the crowd, scanning the room for Ariel. I swear I had seen her some minutes ago. Like, she was really in this building, relishing the party. But now, as I looked around, I couldn’t spot her anywhere.

I approached Lisa, who was talking to a group of friends. Not my concern anyway. “Hey Lisa, have you seen Ariel?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

Lisa turned to me with a confused expression. “Ariel? No, I haven’t seen her. I did have a conversation with her, but I haven’t seen her since then. Why, is everything alright?”

I shook my head. “No, I just can’t seem to find her.”

Lisa shrugged. “Maybe she’s gone out with the kids. You know how much they love moving with each other.”

One of Lisa’s friends grinned at me. “Is this your brother, Lisa? He is one dashing man.‘

THE DARK

-2/4

Ilaughed, shaking my head. “Thank you.”

“You know, we can hang out later.”

really.” I gave her a plastic smile

the entrance. “Wassup, Han, have you seen Ariel?” I

I haven’t. Maybe she’s playing with the kids. As you can see, I’m

her off. “You can… keep

a moment. “Okay, have fun finding

shaking my head as I muttered,

nonchalantly while I

way to the gardens, searching every corner for Ariel. But she was nowhere to be found. Now, where the hell has that lady gone? I needed to ask her some

the ballroom and spotted my mother walking towards me. “Hey, Mom, have you seen Ariel?” I asked, trying to keep my voice

“No, I haven’t. Is anything wrong?”

really. I’m just looking for her.”

My mom began to call Ariel, but the lady was not

a guest, and I had to stop

when did you start showing concern for Ariel?” He asked, widening his

want to discuss something important with her,” I responded, holding both of my

what is the important

at him for seconds. “Have

seen her. Maybe she went to

I asked him,

IN THE

might be in the kitchen. I mean, have

in the

really surprising. But you don’t have to stress yourself over that; Ariel is not a little kid. She’s

a smile and walked away from him.

LUKE’S POV

slowly regained consciousness, finding myself in a dimly lit room. The darkness was overwhelming, but my eyes adjusted enough to make out some shapes in the room. I tried to move my hands, but they were bound together, and the pain in one of them was a constant reminder of the chaos that had led me here. I remembered the gunshot right in my hand and the part where I

out my name. It was Andre; he was also

Luke. You’ve finally