Leanna-Chapter 247: [EMERY] 1.3

Jackson sighed and rolled his eyes that only made my anger intensified. I couldn’t believe my best friend was willing to get me into harm’s way for some cash. I was having a hard time accepting that he would actually use and dragged me into this. My best friend, who was with me through thick and thin. Who was like a brother to me, more than Lawrence could ever be.

John probably sensed my anger as he intervened, "I know this is risky for you, but if no one will find out about it . . . no one will know . . . And from what I heard, the place was long abandoned, right?"

He stifled a laugh and urged. "You only have to show us the way. No one will know, and if no one knows, no one will suspect. We’ll only use it temporary. We’ll have another place for the exchange."

When I didn’t argue, still hesitating, John insisted some more. "Alright. Since this whole operation is much more riskier for you, we’ll add another ten thousand for your trouble."

". . ."

Ah . . . A man’s greed really knows no bounds.

What he said was correct. The place was long abandoned, and not a soul nor neighbors could be seen. If no one saw, no one knew.

If ever the authorities knew that kidnappers used that place, I’d say I didn’t know since the place was long uninhibited and the kidnappers used it without me knowing. And everyone in our province knew ever since our parents died, me and my sister relocated to the city and never came back in the region ever since.

And . . .

A million for leading them there, and I won’t even have to be a part of the kidnapping process.

After thinking things through . . . I nodded a bit, and the people in front of me laughed and smiled. I joined them in the jolly mood, dismissing any lingering doubt and danger.

A period of time passed, Jackson and John’s attention flicked in a particular direction outside of the shabby store. They were staring at it that I couldn’t help but look in the direction they were eyeing.

Across the street. In a barren land that was now gated with high metal panels and barbed wires, lines of black Mercedes came to a halt. My eyes bulged at the mouth-watering, fancy-looking vehicles that I only saw in my dreams.

But importantly, curious as to why they were some big shots visiting the place.

I knew the once barren land was a slum, used to be part of the tenement we currently were. It was bought a year ago by developers, and since then, the place was cleaned, and the poor were forced to live to wherever hellhole the government and the developers threw them into.

And I knew this place was next. It was only a matter of time.

Guess I have to pack up and look for another place to rent.

A shame though since I’d grown to like my current home. The rent in the city was so expensive, and with my meager salary, all I could afford was renting in the slums, and it was even a shared bedroom. Well, if you would call a six square meter room with a sorry of an excuse smelly decaying walls as a room. The only consolation I had, I was together with my friends. At least that made living more bearable.

My line of thoughts was interrupted when the world stopped when my heart slammed hard against my rib cage. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, and my body grew weaker by the second, but my eyes refused to blink.

Fuck. Me.

Right there, about fifty meters away from us. Across the street. A tall, stunning lady with white-blonde hair got off from a car.

From all my life, I had never seen someone so beautiful.

Even on a side view, I could tell how pretty she was.

My breath hitched as my heart constricted. I didn’t even know when I gripped the table for support.

Her hair fluttered with the winds. Her skin sparkled under the sun. Her eyes were bright shades of blue, illuminating everything, and everything about her was so –– majestic.

If I could only have her, I would die contented.

Yeah right, keep dreaming. She won’t even bat an eyelid at you.

I blinked when reality knocked me and knocked me hard it did.

Without thinking, I checked my appearance. If I were in my teens, I would still have a chance –– but now.

The once kept clean-cut hair was long and messy. Wrinkles, acne, and blackheads dominated most of my chubby face. A haggard fat man with a bulging stomach replaced the slim young boy.

Who would like a guy like me?

A drunkard who only had two thousand in his name. It wasn’t even my money. It was my sister’s allowance for me for this month. Pathetic.

For the first time in my life, I felt regret.

Regretted that I turned out like this.

Regretted that I made myself like this.

What a sorry excuse of a guy I had become.

I breathed deeply, too ashamed of myself to even look at the beauty.

I opened another beer with a popping sound and drunk the whole thing down.

"Hmmm . . . right on cue." John chuckled, while Jackson licked his lips.

"Everyone, fist your eyes on that beauty right there." John whistled as he pointed at the gorgeous lady.

I almost smack the bottle I was holding against his disgusting face, but I soon discarded the thought when John’s next repulsive words pushed everything in my stomach to my throat.

"Emery Jansen. Our target."

". . ."

An unbelievable feeling of fear coated me, and my body trembled as my breathing turned heavy.

Now I know from all the places we could have possibly set a meeting point, they specifically chose this disserted area. Our current position provided the best view of the entrance of the prohibited land across the street.

No one uttered a word as everyone, except me, were all focused on the lady called Emery. They seemed to be salivating, starved for fresh meat.

"W-what do you mean . . . ," I gulped, "t-target . . . ?"

I didn’t know if it was my voice. Frankly, with all this feeling of bile stuck in my throat, I was surprised I could even talk without vomiting.

I didn’t ask about the person they would kidnap for the reason I didn’t want to waver in my decision. My conscience would eat me up at the image of the innocent person’s face.

Jackson grinned perversely as his eye roamed up and down on the stunning lady’s body. "Actually, this was a backup plan. If we can’t convince you guys with money, I thought maybe we could convince you through the satisfaction of the flesh."

Jackson licked his lips, and I swore he was slobbering.

"Everyone, meet our target for this operation. John here promised that if we successfully kidnapped her, we could all take turns fucking her to our heart’s content."

DAMN! DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!

*whistle

"Count me in. That babe’s so hot. She’s nothing like the ugly prostitutes I fuck here."

"Got to say. You know us too well, Jackson. Only an idiot wouldn’t take this offer. Besides the money, we could actually fuck a once in a lifetime woman. Wonder how her pussy tastes like."

SLAM!

"NO!"

I shouted and shot to my feet, slamming my palms against the table, causing the guys to look my way. I didn’t know what came over me, but I wanted to murder all of them.

"What’s gotten’ you, Lance?" Caloy laughed, but his voice was thick with hidden concern when he stared at my heaving face.

"Lance. You okay, man?" Boboy added while Jackson frowned, looking at me in suspicion.

John was calm, yet his hand was now inside his jacket.

I gulped hard. One wrong move, and that’s what all it would take.

In a span of a short moment, I assisted my situation. My brain was working fast, formulating ways on how to save the girl. Making a scene here would only rouse their suspicion.

"I-I . . . ," I cleared my throat, "s-sorry . . . I think the booze got into my head."

I mustered all control and turned my face neutral, and my voice steady, holding my fear at bay.

"Oh. Ahahaha. Can’t exactly blame you. Even I got dizzy from all of this." Caloy smiled and tapped my back.

Boboy also said some words that didn’t register in my head while Jackson relaxed, and John no longer had his hand inside his jacket.

"Sorry guys . . . I-I . . . I need a moment of fresh air." I excused myself. No longer hesitating on what I was about to do.

If I could get to the other side, across the street to warn her. Then . . .

I steady my steps, being careful not to give anything away, being careful not to seem like I was in a hurry.

Relax. Relax. RELAX.

I continued with the baby steps. The fifty meters was like fifty kilometers. Cold sweat poured out from my body, and I shivered, almost stumbling.

A little more. Just a little more.

If I could just let myself out from this shabby store. Tiny more steps. One more step.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I was completely out in the open.

Now, just cross the road.

Energy shot to my legs, and I sprinted, but something stopped me. Something like multiple stung, followed by dripping thick liquid and pain –– excruciating pain.

With every difficult breath I took, thick liquid flowed from my mouth. I looked behind to find Jackson with a knife implanted on my back.

"W-why . . ."

I croaked. My body grew weaker by the minute.

Jackson snickered, and I knew my best friend was long gone. Dead six months ago. The man behind me was nothing more than an empty shell, filled with lust and greed.

"I know you, Lance. Others may think there’s nothing wrong. But I know you. Know you for more than ten years. I know what you’re about to do, and I can’t have you ruin this. Even if you’re my best friend."

I hope I could say it didn’t hurt, but the pain only intensified ten folds at the betrayal of what I considered to be my brother. My family.

"W-w-were . . . F-frie . . . nds . . ."

Jackson laughed. "Sorry, buddy. But your friendship couldn’t exactly feed me and give me a comfortable life." He withdrew the knife, and my body slumped to the ground.

I could only curse my luck that there were no people at the store, even the store owner disappeared the moment she served us our drinks. Even the black men who I assumed were the beauty’s bodyguards didn’t notice us. They were so focused on inspecting the barren land. And if they did notice, they would just assume that I was some drunkard lying on the ground.

I heard the voice of cries and shock, must be from Caloy and Boboy, as well as some angry voice. That must be from John. My vision was hazy as everything turned silent.

I’m going to die –– no question about that.

I was so close.

So close.

Just have to cross the road.

But my body wouldn’t respond. Couldn’t even see, probably with all the blurs. My breathing was becoming weaker. I was losing blood –– fast.

Is this it?

Is this how I will die?

Very pathetic ending for a very pathetic man.

If only . . . If only . . . I can save her . . . even warn her . . .

Please . . . just let me . . . warn her . . .

I didn’t know what happened, but my body started to respond. My heart pumped so fast and more blood leaked out from me. But the supply of blood was the reason why I could keep my fingers moving on the ground while my lungs took in a significant amount of air. With all what little strength I could master –– I shouted.

Shouted my last breath.

"EEMMMM!"

With what little senses I had, I felt the ground shook, signaling for footsteps rushing my way.

My lips curved in a soft smile.

Hopefully, they would understand the words I wrote on the ground.

At least . . . Once in my life . . . I had done something right . . .

I didn’t know what happened next, my vision completely blackened, and flashes of memories came rushing in slow motion.

My mother’s sweet scent as she prepared my favorite meal. My father’s strict face but warm eyes as he fixed my favorite bike. My brother’s teasing grin and hearty laugh as we watched our favorite show . . . and my sister’s melancholic voice as she sang my favorite song.

Then her . . . The appearance of a gorgeous lady with white-blonde hair. Her hair fluttered along with the wind. Her skin sparkled beneath the sun as her eyes shone in bright blue, illuminating even the deepest corners of my heart.

She was so beautiful . . .

END 🐇