Chapter 4: Trapped And Cornered

Anthony hasn't been himself since he came back from his part time job.There was a lot of customers that day and so he came home late.

Coming home without meeting his blind father at home was a cause for alarm. Where could he have wondered off to?

Just then, he received a message from an unknown number "We have your father Anthony and we are coming for you as well".

Anthony was left in a state of turmoil , he didn't know how to track this people, he decided to go pay Alex his friend a visit that night.

As Anthony walked to Alex's place, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched. He glanced over his shoulder, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Still, the sense of unease lingered.

When he arrived at Alex's, he found his friend engrossed in a video game. Anthony flopped down on the couch beside him, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Hey, man, what's up?" Alex asked, not taking his eyes off the screen.

Anthony hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just had a weird encounter with a girl a couple of days ago," the one I told you about and since then I haven't been at ease. I haven't been able to shake off the guards warning, it's creepy!, he lamented.

And now I can't find my dad, I got a text message from an unknown number telling me they have my dad, he further narrated.

Alex's eyes flicked towards him. "What was their warning?"

Anthony shrugged. "They threatened me, said I messed with their princess and she doesn't take disrespect lightly. But then "I haven't seen her since." and it kinda creeps me because I feel she's responsible for my dad's disappearance.

Alex's expression turned serious. "That sounds creepy. You think she's coming for you too?"

Anthony shook his head. "I don't know, man. Her threats felt real. And I have a feeling she is involved with a mafia organization or something.

Alex's eyes widened. "If so I think maybe she's a mafia princess or something" , he said. And I know one mafia organization around here "The Khalid Empire"

Anthony, you need to be careful. They're not people to mess with."

Anthony nodded, feeling a chill run down his spine. He knew that already, but hearing it from Alex made it sink in even more.

Just then, Alex's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and his eyes narrowed. "Weird. I just got a text from an unknown number. 'Tell Anthony the Princess will come for him'."

Anthony's heart skipped a beat. It was her. She was still watching him, waiting for him to make his move. He knew then that he had to be prepared, for whatever she had in store for him.

Without a word, Anthony got up and paced around the room, his mind racing with fear and anxiety. He knew he had to do something, but what? He felt trapped, like he was walking into a dangerous game without any rules.

Alex watched him with concern, his eyes following Anthony's every move. "Hey, man, you okay?"

Anthony nodded, trying to compose himself. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just need to figure out what to do next."

But deep down, he knew he was far from fine. He was in grave danger, and he had no idea how to escape it.

Anthony's mind raced as he paced around the room. He felt like he was trapped in a nightmare that he couldn't wake up from. He thought about going to the police, but he knew that the Khalid Empire had connections everywhere. They would find out and silence him before he could even whisper a word.

"Alex, I need your help," Anthony said, his voice low and urgent. "I need to get out of here, lay low for a while. Can I crash at your place?"

Alex nodded, his eyes serious. "Of course, man. But we need to be careful. If the Khalid Empire is involved, we don't know what they're capable of."

Anthony nodded, his heart racing with fear. He knew that he was in grave danger, and he had no idea how to escape it.

As they made plans for Anthony to stay at Alex's place, the tension in the air was palpable. They both knew that they were playing with fire, and that one wrong move could mean disaster.

But Anthony had no choice. He had to keep moving, had to keep trying to stay one step ahead of the Khalid Empire. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to survive.

Little did he know, the Khalid Empire was closing in on him, and his time was running out...

*

*

*

The next morning, Anthony was on his way to school, his mind still reeling from the events of the previous day. As he turned a corner, he saw them - the enforcers, dressed in their black uniforms, their eyes fixed on him.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here," Lila sneered. "The little rebel, thinking he can take on the princess."

Anthony knew that he couldn't outrun them, so he stood his ground, his heart pounding in his chest.

"You're coming with us, one of them growled, grabbing Anthony's arm.

Anthony tried to shake him off, but there were too many of them. They surrounded him, their fists flying. Anthony fought back, but he was no match for their brute strength.

Just when he thought he was going to pass out from the beating, everything went black.

*

*

When Anthony woke up, he was in a dark, damp cell. He was groggy and disoriented, but he knew that he was in trouble.

The door creaked open, and a figure loomed in the doorway. It was the Amir, his eyes cold and calculating.

"Welcome, Anthony," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I've been expecting you. You see, you've been causing quite a bit of trouble, and it's time to pay the price."

Anthony knew that he was in grave danger. He had to think fast, or he would end up dead.

"I'm really sorry sir I never intended to insult the mafia princess" , if you pardon me this time I promise not to mess with you guys anymore, he said.

If it isn't the hot-headed boy, who thought he could take me on, Ivy sneered as she entered the place.

The Amir's eyes narrowed, his expression unyielding. "Sorry? You think a simple apology will suffice? You have meddled in affairs that are beyond your understanding, and now you must face the consequences."

Ivy stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Yes, Anthony, you have been quite entertaining. But now, it's time to pay the price for your foolishness."

The Amir's voice was cold, calculating. "You will be given a choice, Anthony. You may either join us, and swear loyalty to the Khalid Empire, or...you may refuse, and suffer the consequences."

Anthony knew that he was trapped, with no clear way out. He had to think fast, or risk losing everything.

Anthony's stubbornness was admirable, but also dangerous. He knew that refusing the Khalid Empire's offer would put him and his loved ones in grave danger, but he couldn't bring himself to surrender.

"I won't join you," Anthony said, his voice firm but shaking slightly.

The Amir's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with anger. "Foolish boy," he spat. "You think you have a choice? You think you can defy us and get away with it?"

Ivy stepped forward, her voice dripping with malice. "We have something that belongs to you, Anthony. Something that will make you see things our way."

Anthony's heart raced as Ivy snapped her fingers, and two enforcers dragged Marcus, his blind father, into the room.

"Leave him alone!" Anthony shouted, but the Amir just laughed.

"Your father is a dear friend of ours, Anthony. And we'll make sure he's well taken care of...if you cooperate."

The Amir's eyes gleamed with cruelty. "You see, Anthony, we've been watching you. We know all about your little family. And we'll destroy it, piece by piece, if you don't do as we say."

Anthony's eyes met his father's, and he knew he had no choice. He had to protect him, no matter what.

"Okay," Anthony said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll join you."

The Amir's smile was triumphant. "Excellent choice, Anthony. Welcome to the Khalid Empire."