Chapter 1: Captured

Lydia looked at the time and realized that indeed, her mother was taking too long at work that night. The clock seemed to mock the way she felt, for it kept ticking and traveling even faster than normal.

"Stupid clock. I should call mom..," she said, as she picked up her phone and dialed her mum's number. Again, her mother didn't pick up. Worry started to creep into her heart. What if her mother was involved in an accident? What if there was a robbery attack at work and her mother was one of the unfortunate victims? What if this? What if that?

But none of that was the case; for Mrs Chambers was simply trying to escape while her head was still on her neck. She had just witnessed something she shouldn't have, and now it could cost her life.

It didn't take too long before she got caught and her pleadings to remain alive began.

"Sir, sir I'm sorry. I didn't...I didn't see anything, I promise," the tears falling from her eyes made her voice vibrate. The person she was begging, was obviously uninterested in her pleas.

"You didn't see, what exactly?" He asked with so much disdain. His hands vibrated like they were ready to dive into her chest and bring her pounding heart out.

"I didn't..," Mrs Chambers stopped talking, realizing that her pleas were utterly useless.

"Where do you live?" The man asked.

"Its-it's not too far away from here, it's.."

Her explanation was interrupted by the hard smack she got on her face.

"You're not very smart, are you? Don't you have a family you mean to protect?" The man asked with so much curiosity. Of course she did, she had a beautiful daughter she was willing to protect for the rest of her life. But what difference did it make?

"I..I..."

She wasn't allowed to keep talking. Another man snuck up and wore a mask over her head. The man pulled her close to him.

"I have intentionally left you conscious. Do not make me regret it. We're going somewhere. I don't expect you to ask where." When her silence was loud, he gave an approving smile that she didn't see. Couldn't see.

"Get her out of here."

The other man lifted her up and rested her on his shoulders. It was rough handling but she managed. How the hell did she even wind up in this situation?

Oh, but it was because her beautiful daughter Lydia asked her to get this really lovely bracelet from a mall that was a little further from her place of work. Lydia never really asked for favors but whenever she did, her mother felt solicited to do it. All was going well that night.

It was way past closing hours so it really wouldn't hurt to take a few steps further, just to get her precious daughter the bracelet. One thing led to another, and she witnessed the gruesome murder of an innocent man. Innocent? Who knew? The man wasn't alive to defend himself.

Back at the house, Lydia was struggling with herself about what to do. Should she go out in search of her mother? Should she wait a little, with hopes that her mother would return soon? These were questions that weren't going to be answered if she didn't make a move. Her eyes never left her phone but the minute they did, her phone rang, and she jumped on the call.

"Mum! Goodness! Why weren't you picking up?! I was worried sick!" Lydia already started scolding her mother. There was a little silence before her mother finally spoke.

"Baby? Baby, it's okay. I'm okay. Honey I.. uh...I need you to come meet me at a place."

"Where?? This is 10 past 12. It's practically a new day!"

The man's patience already grew thin, so he snatched the phone from Mrs Chambers and spoke to Lydia instead.

"If you want to meet your mother's living, breathing body, you'll do as I say."

It certainly wasn't a dream, but who was it that spoke on the phone? On her mother's phone! Sound the alarm! She was right. Her mother was involved in a robbery attack and now, she was being held hostage!

In panic, she began pleading with the man to let her mother go, and all sorts of things.

"Sir.. sir, I can assure you, we don't have any money. We're poor. My mum works 3 jobs and I work 2. We're barely surviving, she's sick..she could die!"

Lydia's fears could be heard in her voice but the man only found it all amusing. He burst out laughing at Lydia's pain. The man had to be a demon to be laughing hysterically at a person's pain.

"I'll send you the address..you better come alone, my dear."

And he hung up.

Lydia began breathing uncontrollably. Fear gripped the whole of her being. She tried so hard to remain calm but it was all to no avail. The man ordered her to come alone. It would be totally pointless if she involved the police. Or did he say that just to scare her? But he sounded serious. He sounded dangerous like he really wasn't bluffing. While Lydia was contemplating what to do, her phone rang. Yes, it was the address. Goodness! But that area was notorious for its dangerous Mafia activities. Was that where her mum was? She wondered and indeed she was about to find out.

45 minutes later, she'd arrived at the location. Of course, she was expecting it to be some dark, old, and dusty lair but it was a magnificent building. It had a beautiful exterior that showed a beautiful well-kept garden. Its large windows looked like they would generously embrace the sunlight. Lydia was starstruck. Why did a man, who was callous enough to laugh at someone's pain have a beautiful house with a floral touch and a generous appearance?

When she stood in front of the door, she knocked. Someone opened the door. Someone tall, huge, with steel-coloured eyes and long black hair. Was...was he an angel?