Chapter 36: Shadows of Intrigue
"Where are you from?" Yunus inquired, relentless as they continued to thrash the man with a cane. Laughter escaped the man, bewildering everyone present. "Remove all his nails, torture him more," Yunus ordered, intensifying the torment. He sought answers, aiming to unravel the mystery of the intruder.
"We caught him trying to lure our men to release the man with tattoos," the subordinate informed Yunus, prompting a signal to investigate further. The intruder, barely clinging to life and tied to a chair, revealed his name when questioned by Yunus: "Ignatius."
"Did you know Max?" Yunus asked, pressing for information. Ignatius looked up, an alertness in his eyes, possibly hiding secrets that could ignite a new twist in the unfolding story.
Meanwhile, at home, Hazel engaged in a conversation with an innocent and stubborn young boy longing for a day at the amusement park, like any other child. The desire to experience simple joys clashed with the complexities of their situation. Hazel tried to appease him, promising alternate forms of play.
"I just want to go to the amusement park like other kids do," the boy pleaded, expressing his longing for normalcy.
"Oh dear, cutie, listen. There are reasons we can't do that right now. We can find other ways to have fun, I promise," Hazel reassured, navigating the delicate balance of maintaining their safety while nurturing his childhood desires.
"You haven't been playing with me. You're always busy with your laptop," he expressed his sadness, a yearning for more attention and interaction.
"Ethan has been playing with you, and so have I," Hazel reminded him, attempting to bridge the gap between her responsibilities and being present for the child.
Meanwhile, outside the mansion, danger lurked as a group of armed men managed to infiltrate the heavily guarded premises. Their sinister intentions became evident as they incapacitated the guards one by one, moving strategically. A gunshot pierced the air, echoing an alarm that sent shivers down the spines of those within the mansion, triggering a cascade of events that would plunge them into further suspense and complexity.