I'll protect you

As I stood outside watching Antonio's big bike slowly fade from view, a sense of unease crept over me. I turned to head back inside when suddenly darkness enveloped my vision, suffocating me. Panic gripped my chest as I realized I was being abducted by unknown assailants. I fought with all my strength, desperate to break free, but the harsh reality of my situation soon overwhelmed me.

"Who are you people?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks, mingling with the fear and helplessness that consumed me. In that terrifying moment, I found myself clinging to a sliver of hope, praying for a savior to come to my rescue. My mind raced, flickers of faces passing through my thoughts - Alex, Lara, Antonio, Canim - anyone who could save me from this nightmare.

"Who sent you?"

Despite the fear coursing through my veins, a glimmer of resolve sparked within me. I refused to give up, clinging to the hope that someone, anyone, would soon come to my aid and bring me back to safety. The echoes of my pleas lingered in the night air, a desperate cry for assistance in the face of unimaginable danger.

They took me to a place that I didn't know. They uncovered my face and that's when I saw three bulky men in their black sandos giving me goosebumps all over my body.

"What are you up to? What do you need from me? Do you need money? I can give it to you!"

"We don't need anything from you, but there is someone who does. But I don't think he would throw you away if he needed something from you."

"What are you talking about? Release me this instance!"

One man came closer to me, giving us an inch apart from each other.

"It wouldn't hurt if we made use of you before you meet your grandpa, right?"

"How do you know about my grandpa? Who are you!" The pain and anger took over me this time. 

"Well, he ordered us to make sure that you'd meet your grandpa."

"Who ordered you to do this? If you need money, I can triple the price!" I tried not to stutter, I tried not to show even the slightest trace of fear on my face, I tried to be strong, but whenever it was about Grandpa I felt weak but full of anger. I can't die without justice for my grandfather.

"Who are you to try negotiating with us?"

"Undress her!" the other man ordered, and the two nodded and started to get near me.

"Help! Stop!"

I put all my strength and voice into shouting, but it seemed that no one can hear me, the place looks isolated and abandoned. I know I have no hope, but there's nothing wrong with continuing to hope, isn't it?

They were about to unbutton me when we heard a loud bang on the door that made all of us stop. It was dark and I could barely see anyone.

"How dare you to interrupt?"

They rushed to that person, and I was left there weak and trying to open my eyes to look at the events, but little by little I weakened and fell to the floor. But before my vision went dark, I saw someone approaching me.

Is it... Canim?

"Kaesu.... Keasu wake up."

I came back to my senses when I felt a soft pat on my face and a loud voice calling my name that seemed to be full of concern. My vision was blurry, but we remained like that till it became clear. I was surprised when I saw Antonio's face and his eyes were about to cry.

"I thought I was going to lose you." his voice cracked, and he suddenly hugged me while I was still lying.

"So it was you," I said almost in a whisper.

"Who else could it be?" 

He lifted me and I noticed that there were people taking care of the men who kidnapped me, but they didn't look like police officers, nor did I see a police car. Antonio and I got to the car, and he made me sit in it slowly, and I saw Uncle Luis approaching us.

"It's a good thing you noticed and followed them, Anthony, otherwise we don't know what will happen to Kaesu." He then patted Antonio on his shoulders and looked at me. "How are you Kaesu?"

I was about to greet Uncle Luis, but my body didn't seem to be cooperating.

"Let's let her have a rest first, Uncle. When I left, I couldn't feel my phone in my pocket and that's when I remembered I left my phone at Kaesu's house, but when I came back, I saw a black van leaving her place, so I immediately followed and called you using my burner phone."

Uncle Luis just nodded and patted Antonio before he left.

"Who are those people? They are not cops, aren't they?"

"No, they are Uncle Luis' men. Uncle Luis will hold those 3 men. They can't be turned in to the police because our enemies are big people, and we don't know who their connections are with the police. We will take care of it our way and find the truth and justice."

"But won't it be illegal?"

"Nothing's illegal when it comes to injustice. You either find justice yourself or let it rot in the police's hands."

I just nodded and closed my eyes, letting my mind have a piece of calmness in this chaotic world.

"Don't worry, Keasu. You have me, I'll protect you!"

"Enough! Someone told me the same words but failed to do so. What difference will you make?" I said in a low voice. 

"I'll take that as an insult." I can feel pain in his tone, and it's bothering me, but his words are bothering me as well. 

"You better."

"But when I say I'll protect you, I will. I'll protect you the way I know, the way you don't have to think about what to do, because I'll take care of it. The way that you don't have to think twice anymore because I'm here. The way, you don't have to worry, because I won't disappear by your side, in a way that no one will hit you or anything that will hurt you, because I'll be your shield and you will never fall because I will always catch you. In a way that no tears will fall from your eyes, because I will not let that happen. In a way that you do not need to be afraid or discouraged because I am here and will always be. I'll be right here."