1 Chapter 1: Amanda's Dream

-Amanda's Dream-

"Mommy, where are you going?" little Amanda asked her mom that is packing her stuff for her business trip. 

Rachell Lao faced her daughter and knelt. She held her chin and said "your dad and I are going somewhere for our business sweetie. We'll be back before you know it."

Little Amanda nodded and hugged her mother. After a while, Frank, Amanda's father came in the room and gave Amanda a stuffed rabbit. 

"Since we will be out for a while, hug this when you are sad or missing us. This doll will represent us for a while. Do you understand Amanda?" Frank asked her daughter who is busy playing with the doll. 

"Yes daddy. But you won't be gone for so long right?" she asked while still looking at her doll. 

Frank slightly stopped breathing and his faced paled so he looked at Rachell as if saying 'help me answer this'. Rachell understood immediately said "yes sweetie, we will be back before your birthday." 

Suddenly colorful and lively room changed to a gloomy and chaotic night. 

"Mommy what's happening?" Amanda asked to her mother that is beside her inside te closet.

"Just be quiet and I'll tell you later okay?" Rachell asked nervously and her daughter tightly. Amanda just slightly nodded and kept quiet. 

Few minutes have passed and the closet door opened revealing Frank that is breathing heavily. He suddenly grabbed Amanda and his wife by the wrist and pulled them out of the closet. 

"Let's get out of here. There is a car waiting for us outside the subdivision. Hurry!" he said. 

Rachell nodded and quickly ran to the other cabinet to get something. She got two bags in her hand. Frank carried Amanda and ran to the door. They ran as fast ay they could to the main door. When they got down the stairs, they noticed someone sitting on the couch on the living room. It was an unknown man. 

"Y-you didn't leave" Frank stuttered. The man has a gun on his left hand while the other is holding a glass of champagne. The man looked so elegant with his white suit but his face remains unknown. Like a black shadow covering his face. 

"Ofcourse I didn't leave. The boss want you now Frank. And seeing you so nervous and your wife carrying bags makes me thinking that you are going to run away again Frank" said the faceless man.

Frank put Amanda down and slowly walked to the man. 

"W-we can deal about this later. J-just let my wife and daughter get out of this place right now" Frank pleaded but the man just laughed. 

"You want them to leave huh?" the man looked at Rachell. "Your wife is very pretty Frank" said the man. He looked at Amanda and back to Frank again. 

"What if I make your wife mine? In exchange for your life and your freedom to the organization?" the man laughed.

"Don't you dare. Kill me instead" Frank said bravely. The man got up and walks to Frank. He smirked at him and went to Rachell. He touches Rachell's jaw and said "Do you want to be my wife?" and laughed.

Rachell Managed to move her face, getting the man's hand off her jaw.

"Let go of me you Freak! I don't want to be your wife!" Rachell shouted and slaps the man. 

"Then you leave me no choice, I'll give you three a minute to run. If my men caught you, you know what we'll do to you. Now run traitor!" the man grinned and laughed. 

Frank carried Amanda and took the bags that Rachell is holding and said  "Let's go Rachell! Hurry!" 

They hurried to the door and left the house. They ran as fast as they could and when they reached the playground, Frank puts Amanda below the slide and took his phone. He typed something and when he's finished texting, he broke the phone and throw it somewhere. 

"I called George and he is coming to pick you up here. Hide inside the slide and I will take care of this" Frank said as he push Rachell inside the slide. 

"No! let's hide here together Frank! As you said, George is on the way so please let us hide!" Rachell pleaded. She was crying and Amanda was silently watchig them while crying. She was also silently praying to all the gods to make the situation better. 

Footsteps were heard in the area so Frank really pushed her inside. Rachell was also pushing him inside until they fell on the ground. The footsteps were coming near them so Frank put a hand on Rachell's mouth and signalled her to keep quiet. Rachell nodded nervously and looked around while still on the floor. The footsteps were heard clearer and louder around the area so they have to be quiet.

"I know that you're here Mr. Lao. Come out, come out wherever you are" said the man's guard. The man's voice was so clear and loud. The man was already in the playground. Good thing that the only light in the playground was the street light on the end of the street. Everything was dim and somewhat dark. 

Amanda was crying quietly because she knew that when she make a sound, they'll be all dead. Frank was nervously laying on the groun. Thinking on what will happen to them after this awful night. Frank looked around and saw a pebble. The pebble can be a bait for the guard to leave the playground and let them escape so Frank did the right thing. He took the pebble and throws it somewhere in the dark. 

"They're here!" said a voice. The footsteps were heard again but going to the place where Frank throwed the pebble. 

"Stand up. Hurry!" Frank hurriedly whispered to Rachell and Rachell obeyed it. Rachell helps Frank to stand up and when they are already standing, they looked to the left and right part of the playground to make sure that the guards are gone. When they saw that the coast was clear, Frank whispered something to Rachell. 

"Get Amanda and leave this place. Don't ever come back here after this evening. Make up an excuse when Amanda asks."

Rachell, quietly sobbing, nodded and hugged Frank tightly. Frank hugged back but quickly removed the hands of Rachell. 

"I love you so much Frank," Rachell said and kissed Frank fully on the lips. 

"Go, now!" Frank whispered.

Rachell was about to get Amanda out when she heard some footsteps at her back. A light was flashing on to them so she turned around and looked. 

"Well, well, well. It was exactly 2 minutes and 54 seconds until we found you" said the mysterious man and quickly got a gun. 

"Times up Mr. and Mrs. Lao" he said then shot Frank and next is Rachell. 

-End of Amanda's Dream-

BZZT! BZZT! BZZT! 

"NO! MOMMY! DADDY!" Amanda shouted. She was clenched in her own sweat as she woke up. "What time is it?" she lazily asked and looked at her alarm clock. 

7:44 a.m.

"OH SHOOT! I'm late!" Amanda shouted as she runs up to the bathroom.