The Attack

AGE( it is just a number)

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Episode 25

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Attacked

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Hazel Dakota

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You have bewitched me body and soul and I love, i love ,I love you .i never wish to be parted from you this day on ...

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Laying on my new bed , I kept on glancing at the quote at intervals as I studied one of Hardin,s textbooks.....

The wordings in the quote was "wow" and I couldn't just keep my eyes off it ....

Bewitched! did he just say i bewitched him! Ha ha! this is Perfect!

Humming one of my favourite song , I chewed at the end of my pen as I studied the next question

*What animal doesn't belong to the odd- toed ungulates?

a)hippopotamus

b)rhinoceros

c)okapi

d)camel

"mmmmmh ...uhm..... that will be rhinoceros". I said aloud and on checking the answers on the last page of the textbook, I got in right

I smiled to myself , i am getting somewhere!

My phone suddenly rang and on reaching for it , I checked the caller to see the name Alexia flash on the screen

I became alarmed

Alexia! why is she calling at this wee hours of the night?

With shaky hands, I received the call

"Hazel! her loud voice rang through excitedly and I sighed in relief

"Do you want to get my pressure high?" I queried as she chuckled loudly

"No sis! I am just too excited, I could have called you earlier but mum and I just settled in the big house"

"Big house!" I repeated confusedly

"Yes, Hardin's parent moved us over to a big house"

"Hardin's parent!And why would they do that?" I asked still finding it hard to believe

"Well! I don't know , all I know is that the house is so beautiful....jeez!you need to see my room, the big bed,,the beautiful decorations....oh Hazel! I am so so happy". She squealed in delight and I smiled lightly

"Fine! Fine! enough of the gushing! what of mother?" I asked

"She is fine , she should be sleeping ". she answered

"Okay Alexia! It is already late , you should get some sleep in your ... big bed". I drawled as she chuckled

"And also say hi to mother". I quickly added

"Alright sis! I will do just that , good night". She bade and ended the call without waiting for my response.....

I smiled lightly, she never ceases to amaze me!

But what is with the big house? why didn't Hardin tell me about it?

Just then the door to my room opened and I glanced over my shoulder to see Hardin walk in

"At last!"i mumbled , sitting up to face him

"What took you so long?you promised to be here before midnight?" I queried, pointing at the huge wall clock

he stopped in his track , staring at the wall -clock

"1:00am! wow! I guess I was to engross with the "pure love" plot story to keep track of the time"

"What plot stories?" I asked, arching my eyebrow

"Just some class project, Are you done with the questions?"he asked changing the subject as he dragged his feet lazily to the bed

"Nope!"I answered, popping the p and he smirked lightly, sitting on the bed

"Are the questions difficult? do you need help with anyone?"he asked , staring into my face and I nodded with a sigh

"I am really having difficulties in mathematics"

"Then choose a major that doesn't require calculations". he simply answered and I frowned, shaking my head

"No Hardin! I really really want to know maths, please make it happen". I pleaded and he scoffed

"And how will I do that!..see Haz! I ain't God who work wonders". he retorted, pulling off his pyjamas shirt and I tilted my head, staring blankly at his still bandaged body

he isn't God who works wonders! what does he mean by that? Is he trying to say my brain cell is frozen, that I am too dull?...unbelievable!

"You saying my brain is dead right?" I asked , glaring at him as he leaned in the bed , chuckling

"I didn't say so Haz, I only said you need to take up a simpler major". he corrected , trying to hold my hands but in anger , I slapped his hands away

"Don't touch me!" I warned and he sighed , running his hands through his hair

"Did I do anything wrong?"He asked softly and I scoffed

"Are you really asking me that? for goodness sake , you just told me to my face that I have a dull brain". I snapped at him

he stared at me puzzled for a while and then took a deep long breathe

"Is this it? Maths!You want to know maths right?" he asked

"Yes". I answered and surprisedly my voice came out low , I was not as confident as before

What is he up to??? I thought within

"Good! then I will bring all of my maths handout to you tomorrow and I hope you know what that means.you will read, study and solve till your brain is numb".he added with an evil smirk and I scoffed , folding my arms across my chest

"Are you trying to threaten me?"

"Threaten! And why would I? I am only trying to help you study". he fired at me and from the straight look on his face ,I knew he was damn serious

Oh right! Hazel it is time for you to run!

I laughed nervously, erm ..erm ... maybe I should just go with your earlier suggestion, I will choose a major that doesn't require calculations . I agreed , nodding my head sheepishly

"And why the sudden change of mind?" he inquired with a knowing smile

"that is because I don't have a thing for math, I will get all drowned in". I admitted

"Obviously". he mumbled but I heard him clearly ....

"So what Major do you suggest i put in for?" I asked , ignoring his sneer

"Well! there are a lot , you can major in English just like me or any other humanity course". he answered , yawning and I smiled lightly

Nature calling! guess we will have to talk about this some other time

Snuggling into his arms , I lay my head on his upper chest and he tensed his body , wincing a little

"Oh dear! I am sorry". I exclaimed softly, trying to sit up but he pulled me back, wrapping his hands tightly around me

I smiled inwardly , cuddling me despite his pain!!

"Thanks Hardin". I muttered

"For?" he asked with a soft voice

"this beautiful room , the bed, the clothes , the shoes , beautiful quotes and for everything you have done for me".I stated and a small smile escaped his lips

"also Alexia called telling me about a big house , are you aware of it?"

"Uhm uhm".he answered and I looked up at his face to see his eyes already closed

I smiled lightly

"Good night baby". I bade but as expected , there was no response, he was already asleep ...

What a heavy head sleeper!

Watching him sleep , I soon drifted off to sleep.....:

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The next day

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A light tap on my shoulders disrupted my sleep and with a smile, I opened my eyes expecting to see Hardin but was disappointed, i came face to face with the witch Rebecca

"Good morning ma'am!" She greeted with a mocking smile as I stretched , sitting up on the bed

"Morning! Where is Hardin? Why are you here?" I asked in a rush as I rubbed the sleep crust off my eyes

"I believe you have eyes , check the time yourself" . She retorted with an eye roll and when I did , I widened my eyes in surprise

Omoo! 11:14am! Why didn't Hardin wake me up??

"Anyways I brought you breakfast" . She continued, pointing at the low stool beside the bed and I nodded slowly, staring at the covered food

Not seeing Hardin this morning made me lost all appetite but just like he always advice me to do , I must eat because of my baby.....

"I am off ,if you need any other thing just let me know". The witch said, snapping me out of my thoughts as she walked out of the room...

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

Reaching for my phone , I unlocked it , dialling Hardin number

The phone rang until his voice mail picked up

Ooops! I guess he is busy in class!

Tossing the phone back on the drawer, I got off the bed ;then walked out of the room to Hardin's room and on entering, I found Nina seated at the edge of bed holding a phone to her ear ....:

She was so engrossed with the call she was making that she failed to notice me.....

"No Anne! It isn't that easy , Hardin is always with her".i heard her say

I became alarmed

Anne! Hardin! what is she talking about? I thought within

Retreating my step , I tiptoed out of the room and scurried as fast as I could to the sitting room where I met Rebecca ....

Seeing me , she rolled her eyes mumbling some inaudible words but I was too scared stiff to care

That girl upstairs is on a call with someone who knows Hardin's and our life could possibly be in danger

"Rebecca! I need to ask you some questions about Nina". I started in whispers as she shot me a puzzled look

"Nina! what about her? or did you catch her seducing your boyfriend". She asked in sarcasm and believe me when I say I was tempted to squeeze her mouth but no, I needed her help

I exhaled deeply,"I ain't kidding here, so be serious please". I pleaded

She was quiet for a moment and then she sighed softly

"What exactly do you want to know about her?"

how she got employed here? any suspicious behaviour? In fact everything you know about her". I rasped and to my surprise, she looked around the room , moving close to me

"You see I myself have been suspicious of her from the very first day Mrs Castillo brought her into this house, she immediately clinched unto me , following me around but what triggered my suspicion was the first question she asked me .....

"And what was that?" I butted in , urging her to continue

"She asked if Sir Hardin has a girlfriend"

"What!! how did she know about Hardin? how did she even know his name?" I asked , bewildered

"Exactly! that was also the same question I asked her and to sum it up , she didn't say anything meaningful, she just chuckled nervously and avoided me ever since then" .....:

"Oh God!" I exclaimed softly

"And you should be careful, I don't think she likes you .... well! I don't like you either but hers seems so different, I mean I see the way she looks at you. She quickly added , nudging me to look behind me and when I did , I saw Nina climbing down the stairs with a smile on her face .....

I stared hard at her

Nina!Anne! Who exactly are they?

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Mike Peterson

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"But Boss isn't the plan gonna attract the police?" Noah asked for the umpteenth time , shaking in fright and I completely ignored him

It is either now or never !!!

"Are you both ready? I asked, looking at Jasper and then at Justin

"Yes Boss". They both chorused in unison

"Good! Don't forget , I want the kid alive ." I reminded

"You can count on us Boss". Jasper said trying hard not to meet my gaze , I could tell he was nervous

I wasn't surprised at all... I mean who wouldn't be scared of causing a ruckus in a high school , it was like a sucide mission but what could I possibly do? nothing , I need Hardin today and the best way I can get him without any hindrance is his school ...too bad! I am a fugitive, i would have gotten him myself.....

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Hardin Castillo

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The hours dragged on until the school bell rang , its loud shrill signalling the beginning of lunch break

"At last! I am completely famished". Steve who was seated beside me muttered but I completely ignored him as my gaze was fixed on the manuscript I was working on .....

but wait ! why is he seated here? where even is the idiot called Richard?

I paused what I was doing to look around the class and lol and behold, I saw "the idiot" holding hands with a busty girl as they walked out of the class, laughing

Amazing!

he claims I am his best friend yet he never told me about his new catch , what a crazy idiot indeed!

"Down to earth Hardin!" a familiar voice laughed , snapping her slim fingers in front of me and I looked in the direction to see the cute face of Kimberly

"Hey!" I greeted as she smiled , leaning over to whisper into my ears

"Let's go eat"

"Naw! I ain't hungry, you can go with Steve". I said , picking up my pen as I continued writing

"Let's do that Kim". Steve agreed , standing up in a huff and I was forced to glance at him

What is wrong with him? If he likes her , why can't he just spell it out ?

"No Steve you can go alone , I will stay with Hardin". Kim stated nervously and Steve nodded sadly ; then walked out of the class slowly....

"Why did you do that?" I asked , with my face still buried in the manuscript

"Simple! because I want to stay with you". She answered, sitting beside me

"Oh!" I exclaimed softly not knowing what else to say ....

"erm Hardin I am curious about something". She started , drumming on the desk and I scoffed silently

"You are disturbing me Kim!" I retorted and instantly, she stopped

"I am so sorry". She apologised and the next thing that followed was the sound of gunshots

The colour quickly drained from my face

"Oh my gawd! what is going on here?" Kimberly half-yelled , clinging to me tightly as l looked out of the window, steadying my breathe to calm down my panic

The whole school was in an uproar as students , teachers , caterers , janitors, ran helter skelter for their lives

"Let's get out of here Hardin". Kimberly screamed but her voice sounded far off as I was lost thinking about one person, Hazel

Bringing out my phone from my pocket, I quickly dialled my dad number and he picked on the first ring

"Son! I am aware of the situation, your principal called , we are on our way". he said in a rush and I shook my head negatively as a feeling of dread crept up from the pit of my stomach

"Hazel! my baby! what if Mike gets to them first? What if they are in danger ? I asked rushingly as I interlocked Kimberly fingers with mine

"That is not possible! I already called one of cops security lurking around the house and the house is peaceful". he assured making me sigh in relief

"Also you need to leave wherever you are , try scaling through a fence or something". he quickly added

"Alright dad". I said as I ended the call

"Is there a secret gate or a low fence in this school?" I asked , turning to face Kimberly and she nodded

"There is a low fence behind the school library"

And without wasting time , I held her hands tightly as we ran out of the class through a corner path

"A dead body!" Kimberly screamed , looking at an opposite direction and I pulled her closer

"Don't stop! Look ahead of you". I instructed and she nodded , breathing hard

We took a sharp corner route to the library and I stopped abruptly, right in front of us was a tall man with a knock kneed shape of leg ..

This stature, I can recognise it anywhere.....Jasper

"Kim , let's get out of here" I said in whispers but it was already late ,the man looked in our direction and just like I said, it was Jasper

"Damn!"I cursed silently as he chuckled

"Oh my! oh my! Look who we have here , it is Jayden" he stated, cocking his gun as he moved closer

"Run Hardin! Run! I heard different voices scream and I looked all around confusedly

Some student were on the roof top , some behind thick bushes , the whole environment was f**king tensed .....

"Really! will you do as they say?" Jasper asked , standing right in front of me as I shot him daggers

"What do you want?" I asked coldly and he laughed

"Isn't it obvious! I want you Jayden"

"Then what are you waiting for, I am standing right in front of you". I yelled at him

"Of course you are but my hands is itching for a little fun". he drawled , aiming his gun at a boy hiding in between one of the thick bushes

"No Jasper! You can't do that , the kid is innocent". I pleaded but being the heartless man I have always known him to be , he did not budge , he pulled the trigger, shooting the kid on his shoulder

"Arrrrrrgh! I heard the boy cry of pain and Instantly, i pulled Kim behind me

"Why did you do that?" I yelled at him as he laughed, looking at Kim and then back at me

"Is she Hazel?" he asked and I bit at my lower lips in anger

"Don't ever call that name again" I warned and then faced Kim

"Run away from here as fast as you can, I will cover you"

"No Hardin! I can't do that , I can't leave you all by yourself" . She rasped , shaking her head

her voice was muffled! her eyes blood shoot! and her pretty face messed up!

"Don't say that , do you want to get shot?" I asked in whispers and she shook her head negatively

"Good!then get out from ... I stopped in my track when I heard the sound of the siren followed by gunshots

"The Police is here, we are safe Hardin". Kim squealed in delight but it was short lived , that was when the beast "Jasper" chose to cock his gun , aiming for my shoulder

"Get the hell out of here Kim". I yelled and that was it , he pulled the trigger and in a flash , a figure jumped in front of me , hugging me as thick red blood splattered on my face

I heard a high pitch scream , I didn't realise it was my own until much later

"Interesting! I never knew Hazel loves you so much". Jasper retorted as he aimed the gun at me for a second time but this time around at my temple...

" I will help Mike with his revenge". he stated but before he could pull the trigger, a bullet went straight into his forehead making him fall to the ground like a log of wood

I quickly glanced over my shoulder to see my dad running towards me

"Son! Hardin! Are you alright?" he asked in a rush

Gobsmacked, i slowly pulled out of the hug to stare at Kimberly's pale face

"Kim!"I called softly , holding her body to me and she gave me a weak smile

"we..are .. safe ..". She said picking her words as I stared at her injured upper arm ...she was bleeding profusely

The ambulance! Someone should please call an ambulance". I screamed loudly

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Hmmmmh!

Who remembers Anne?

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TBC