Chapter 1

• Chapter 1:
• The Night of Bloodshed
• Genna’s POV
• I sat alone in our dimly lit living room, unable to shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.
• Suddenly, the door burst open, and Clinton, my brother, rushed in.
• "Clinton, what's wrong?" I asked, alarm creeping into my voice.
• He didn't answer. Instead, he glanced around the room, ensuring we were alone.
• "Genna, come with me, quick!" he whispered urgently, striding toward me. "We have to hide."
• My heart skipped a beat. Clinton's tone sent shivers down my spine.
• "What's happening? Tell me!" I demanded, rising from my chair.
• Clinton's face twisted in a mixture of fear and determination.
• "Shh, just trust me," he said, grasping my arm. "We don't have much time."
• He dragged me toward the wardrobe.
• "Hide, Genna. Don't come out, no matter what," he instructed, his voice low and serious.
• "Promise me," he urged.
• I nodded, my heart racing.
• "I promise," I whispered.
• Clinton slammed the wardrobe door shut, enveloping me in darkness.
• The front door gust open and I heard hurried footsteps.
• I covered my mouth, suppressing a scream.
• I peeked through a small gap in the wardrobe and masked men surrounded Clinton, beating him up. He fought back, landing punches and kicks, but they were too many.
• A figure stood apart, watching the chaos. From my view, it was a huge man but I couldn't see his face. His voice rang out, cold and detached.
• "Take him down," he commanded.
• Clinton's struggles grew weaker. He was outnumbered and soon, the men pinned him to the floor.
• "Stop! Please stop!" I silently screamed as tears streamed down my face.
• The man stepped forward,
• "Where is she?" he demanded.
• Clinton's response was muffled,
• “I have no idea.”
• His response was followed by blows and he fell weakly, coughing out blood.
• “For the last time, where is your sister?” the man asked again.
• “I'd rather die than tell you.” Clinton said.
• These men are searching for me. What do they want from me? From us?
• “Finish him.”
• The man signaled, and a fist hit Clinton's jaw. His head snapped back, and he went limp on the floor.
• A gunshot echoed through the room and Clinton lay in the pool of his own blood.
• I stumbled backward, my scream trapped in my throat.
• The men left, leaving Clinton's lifeless body behind. With shaking hands, I pushed the wardrobe door open and stumbled out.
• “Clinton…” I whimpered,
• Clinton's body lay motionless on the floor, his eyes open, staring at me.
• "No, no, no..." I sobbed, collapsing beside him.
• Tears streamed down my face as I cradled his head in my lap.
• Clinton's bloody hand still clutched a piece of paper. Unfolding it, it read:
• "Run, Genna. They're coming for you."
• Clinton was my older brother and the only sibling I have. Our parents died a long time ago and I have little or no memories of them except for my mother's necklace which I have never parted with.
• We have been living with my aunt, Francesca, ever since.
• I sprang up, Clinton's note clutched in my trembling hand. Some bad people are looking for me, I can't let them kill me just like my brother.
• My heart racing, I rushed to the closet and yanked out a small bag. With shaky hands, I fumbled through the drawer and stuffed few clothes into the bag. I didn't know where I was going, but I had to get out.
• As I zipped the bag, the sound of footsteps echoed outside the door. Heavy, deliberate steps.
• My heart sank.
• The door burst open, and three hefty men came in. I froze, my bag slipping from my grasp.
• "Genna," another man growled, his voice dripping with malice. "You're coming with us."
• My heart was beating furiously. I backed away, my eyes darting around the room for an escape.
• "Try to run, and you'll regret it," the third man snarled, blocking my path.
• I was trapped.
• One of them grabbed my arm, spinning me around.
• "Let me go!" I struggled, kicking and punching.
• The man's grip tightened.
• I stomped on his foot, and he grunted, loosening his hold.
• I sprinted toward the door, but before I could escape, a firm hand grasped my shoulder, spinning me around.
• "Aunt Francesca?" I stared at my aunt, shock etched on my face.
• Her expression was cold, calculating and her gaze was piercing.
• I struggled, but she held tight, dragging me back to the men.
• "No, Aunt Francesca! What are you doing?" I pleaded.
• The men's faces split into cruel smiles.
• "Good job, Francesca," one of them said, handing her a bulky bag.
• "Ten thousand dollars, as agreed," another man added.
• Francesca's eyes gleamed as she took the bag, weighing it in her hand.
• “Say hello to Mr. Sorrento. It was nice doing business with him.” She said to the men.
• "You're...you're selling me? Why? I'm your niece for fuck sake!" I stuttered, horror creeping over me.
• Francesca's gaze met mine, devoid of remorse, a cold smile on her lips.
• "You're a burden, Genna. You and your brother.”
• Tears streamed down my face as I glanced at my brother's corpse.
• "Enough drama, Genna. You're going with them now."
• How could my own aunt betray me like this?
• I was dragged out of the room. The men's strong, grasping hands held me firm, their laughter echoing through the hallway.
• One of them gagged my mouth, and I was slung over a broad shoulder. I kicked and struggled, but they just laughed.
• We left the house behind, venturing into the dark woods.
• As we went deeper into the woods, I kicked the groin of the man carrying me, sending him stumbling. With a firm resolve, I broke free, sprinting ahead.
• "Hey!" one of them shouted.
• Branches snapped beneath my bare feet but I didn't dare look back. I endured the pains and kept running.
• Suddenly, the trees parted, revealing a cliff's edge. The moonlit water below stretched out before me.
• I halted, the men closing in.
• “You're going nowhere, Genna.” One of the men sneered.
• I have reached the dead end but I'd rather die than go with these men. Left with no choice, I turned around and jumped into the lake.
• Diving into the dark water, it rushed up to meet me. The cold water made me squirm but I had to remain underwater so that the men would think that I drowned.
• I held my breath inside, waiting for them to give up and leave.
• Seconds ticked by.
• Soon, their shouts grew fainter and their footsteps receded.
• I remained submerged but my lungs were burning.
• Finally, I heard the distant sound of cars driving away.
• With a burst of energy, I kicked upward.
• I gasped, air rushing into my lungs. Sweet relief.
• Exhausted, I clung to a nearby rock. My clothes clung to me, heavy with water. I took a deep breath and decided to keep running once more.
• I pushed myself up and began to run through the woods towards the road.
• Branches whipped my face and thorns scratched my legs. But I kept running.
• Suddenly, headlights illuminated the trees ahead signifying the road.
• I burst through the underbrush onto the road. A car hurtled toward me. I tried to move, but my body refused.
• I fell, weakly, onto the ground. My vision was blurry as I felt my strength leave me.
• A figure emerged from the car, clad in black.
• He strided towards me, bending down.
• I struggled to focus. Tears streamed down my face as I clutched his arm.
• "Please..." I whispered.
• The man's face drew closer, my eyes locking into his.
• "Save me..." I pleaded.
• The man's expression softened.
• I felt his arms wrap around me, lifting me.
• My head rested against his chest.
• "Please save me..." I whispered again before my voice faded and my vision blurred.
• Everything went blank.