24th December, 1998
In an old abandoned warehouse, downtown Washington D.C housed one of the most deadliest terrorist group. This group was responsible for so many notorious activities sometimes targeted at places of interest or people who had in one time or the other had some form of disagreement with.
The group was headed by a man; Joel Gustav, a dangerous man. 'JG' as he was fondly called by his close allies was in his late forties, heavily bearded, tall and built and he spoke with a thick German accent. He was a lone man, having no wife or children.
JG's eyes are like no one else's. At first, you'll think they're utterly devoid of colour, a pale grey that reminds you of a winter sky about to unleash a truly biblical storm, but if you look long enough, there is the faintest hint of blue there.Just enough blue to give you some sort of forlorn hope, just before he crushes it completely.
He was a man of power not only did he control the most feared group, he was also one of the wealthiest men in the country. He owned a chain of businesses spanning across the country and other counties.
Some referred to him as the 'money god' while others said he is the 'money' himself. There are other crime bosses in Washington D.C, even a few other German ones, but none of them exuded much power and influence as Gustav does.
A lot of speculation were published in the papers about him, some say he kills his enemies with his bare hands, others say his mansion has a vault stocked floor-to-ceiling with gold and the government doesn't dare try to arrest him because he has so much money he could crash the economy.
The last one isn't true though because there was a time he got arrested for some questioning but was released just after two hours with profuse apologies from the officer handling the case. Ever since then, they've learnt to tread carefully around him, waiting for the perfect opportunity to catch him in the very act.
Passersby looking at the warehouse would come to the conclusion that its an old, forgotten house, a place no one should be, but little did they know that the inside told a different story. With a kitchen half the size of a tennis court, a garage with the latest cars and an indoor pool. The warehouse was no house but a palace.
Sitting in a golden chair in his private office, Joel gently tapped his fingers on his desk thinking about tomorrow's plan. President Rawlings might have forgotten who he was but Joel was a man to never forget things. He and the President had a long history, dating back to when they were in high school till college. He couldn't forget so easily the memory that still haunts him till today. The memory of his sister; Anna Gustav drowning at a pool party organized by their college mates.
Though, President Rawlings was under the influence of alcohol when it happened, Joel still couldn't shake off the feeling of watching his only sibling die. He couldn't believe Freddie pushed her in knowing fully well she could not swim. Though he was drunk when he did it, Joel still blamed him for what happened.
Ever since then, he vowed to take him down one way or the other and now...with the President's daughter coming to the party, he was beyond happy that at last he could avenge his sister's death.
He sat back, smiled inwardly muttering:
"This is just the beginning Freddie, welcome on board".
25th December, 1998Day of DisasterThe White HouseLanaI woke up at exactly 7:30a.m, I was so excited about the party today. After brushing my teeth, I skipped downstairs happily to have breakfast. Mum and dad were already at the table drinking coffee as usual. Most people think I'm weird when I tell them I hate coffee, I just can't bring myself to like the taste talk more of being addicted to it. "Merry Christmas mum, dad" I said. "Merry Christmas honey. How was your night?"dad said. "It was fine thanks". "I see you're excited about today" mum said, giving me a big smile. "So excited" I grinned. "Well, you know you won't be leaving without an escort" dad said. "I know dad" I said, feeling slightly annoyed. "And there is g
26th December, 1998The White HousePresident Freddie RawlingsI knew it, I just knew it. Its been over five hours since the party ended and I haven't seen my daughter. I tried contacting the Williams but it kept going to their voicemail. By now, I was beyond frustrated and absolutely had no idea what to do.Just then, one of the secret service agents- agent Dylan rushed in panting heavily. "Mr president, we've just received word that the Christmas party the first daughter is attending has been hijacked and she's been kidnapped to an undisclosed location". " What!" I shouted, knocking my chair over. "Report reaching us now is that no fewer than twenty persons have been confirmed dead including agents harry and bob" agent Dylan said,with voice so strained. "How did this happen?" Saman
27th December, 19981254 Golden StreetPresident Freddie RawlingsI was currently at the address Joel said I should meet him at.Alone. Earlier, having discovered who Joel was I decided to keep that discovery to myself at least for my daughter's sake. I had a fake moustache and a black cap shielding part of my eyes to avoid passers by wondering what on earth their president was doing in such a place without an escort.It was a miracle that I managed to escape from the white house without any of the security agents knowing. Somehow, agent dylan who was present when joel's call came in decided to keep this meeting a secret.It was twenty minutes past six, Joel was late and by now I was already restless. I was just heading back to my car, calling it quits when a voice said from behind. "I wouldn't try that if I were you". Startled, I came face to f
28th December, 1998The White HouseFirst Lady SamanthaRawlingsIt's been three days, three days since Lana was kidnapped.To say that I was devastated would be an understatement, I was crushed. At times, different thoughts run through my mind. I can't afford to lose my daughter to those terrorists. Freddie has been acting strange since he returned from the meeting with Joel. Whenever I approach the issue, he finds it difficult to look me in the eye and always tries to dodge any question I ask him. I have a feeling he is hiding something and I intend to find out what it is. ************************************"Darling, you still haven't told me how your meeting with JG went" I said, leaning on the kitchen door drinking my usual black coffee. "Its nothing really. All I kno
28th December, 1998(mid day)The WarehouseLanaI woke up with a start, having no idea where I was. I was blindfolded and gagged. I tried adjusting my sitting position but I was rewarded with a severe pain. I felt hopeless as tears ran down my eyes. I didn't know who these men were, I only hoped my parents were working on my release because I didn't want to spend another day in this evil place.Just then, the door burst open as I heard footsteps approaching. The blindfold was roughly pulled away as my eyes slowly adjusted to the light in the room. Two heavily built men with masks covering their faces stared down at me with menacing eyes. "The boss wants you" one of the men said, in a hoarse voice as the other removed my binds.I was led to a well furnished living room with floor to ceiling windows, the most beautiful chandelier I had ever seen and an indoor pool at my far r
30th December, 1998Undisclosed LocationFirst Lady Samantha Rawlings"James, I've got a job for you" I said as I nervously picked my nails. What I was about to do was a taboo, a first lady shouldn't be seen with a hooligan as James.James Roberts is one of the most dangerous men in the United States, wanted for various crimes. Its still a mystery he hasn't been caught. Not only is he smart, but also very devious. A tall lean man with heavy beards and stormy blue eyes, he could have been one of the most handsome men in the country except for his dark heart and the only thing;James Roberts was a killer.We went to school together but we weren't really close until he dropped out along the way and I never heard from him until I searched him up and found him.A native of Detroit, he grew up in the slums and mostly survived on odd jobs. When he couldn't take the hardship any longer, he ventured into
30th December, 1998The WarehouseLanaHe took me to a well furnished room. A Queen size bed stood at the center of the room, a standing mirror was attached to the wall and to complement it gold tiles adorned the floor giving it a regal look. "I hope you like it miss Lana" JG said. "Its fine...Why do I have this room?. I mean, I'm a prisoner here and clearly this room is something else" I said. Chuckling, he said; "Beautiful you mean. Just know that I have no grudges against you. I'm only keeping you here until your father settles his debt". "You keep speaking of a debt, if its monetary I can easily repay as I've got some money stashed away. Any amount at all Mr Gustav" I pleaded.He laughed, a booming laugh which temporarily caught me off guard. I never knew such a dangerous man had the spiri
31st December, 1998The White HousePresident Freddie RawlingsYou know the feeling of being empty, the feeling of not knowing what to do. A feeling of nothingness, well that's how I felt at this moment. Helplessness, hopelessness crushing down on me, suffocating me to the point of dying.Its been almost a week since my daughter was kidnapped and at this point I had no idea what to do. Joel's warning still rang in my ears fresh as the day.Resigning would be a very hard thing to do but the consequences of not doing what he wants could be worse. Its true what they say, what goes around surely comes around. I had no reason to push Anna into the pool. Alcohol, stupid alcohol. Lord knows I tried my best to revive her but she was far too gone and now I have to pay for my sins. "Oh Anna, please forgive me. I'm so sorry" I muttered.My t