Chapter four—Escape

"Find her," the Boss growled. "I don't care how you do it. If you don't bring her back within ten minutes, I'll cut you into tiny pieces and send your body to your family as muffins for them to eat."

The guard's eyes widened in terror as he was on the verge of peeing in his pants. He knew the Boss meant every word, and there was no going back. He had to find that b*tch, no matter what it took and fast!.

–––

Every guard in the compound was now on high alert, scouring the premises for any sign of Lexi. Unnoticed, Lexi stood in the shadows, her eyes scanning every corner of the compound.

"How the f*ck am I supposed to get out of here?" she thought.

As she scanned the compound, Lexi's eyes landed on a ventilation shaft on the roof of a nearby building. It was a long shot, but it might just be her only chance. She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the challenge ahead.

With a burst of speed, Lexi sprinted towards the building, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the guards shouting behind her, their footsteps closing in.

She reached the building and leapt up, grabbing the ventilation shaft and pulling herself up. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she didn't dare look back. She kept climbing, her hands and feet finding holds in the rusty metal.

Finally, she reached the roof and pulled herself over the edge, collapsing onto the cool surface. For a moment, she lay there, catching her breath.

But she knew she couldn't stay there for long. Lexi scrambled to her feet and started to run, the wind whipping through her hair as she disappeared into the night.

Lexi ran as fast as she could, her feet pounding the rooftop.

She spotted a maintenance ladder on the side of the building and made a beeline for it. She climbed down the ladder, her hands and feet moving swiftly.

As she reached the ground, she took off in a sprint, weaving through the shadows. She could hear the guards closing in, but she didn't dare look back.

Suddenly, she saw a glimmer of light in the distance - a hole in the compound's fence. Without hesitation, Lexi made a dash for it, her heart racing with excitement.

She squeezed through the hole and found herself on the outside of the compound, gasping for air. She took a moment to look around, getting her bearings.

And then, she started to run again. She knew the guards would be hot on her heels, but she was determined to put as much distance between herself and the compound as possible.

Lexi ran for what felt like hours, her legs aching and her lungs burning. She didn't dare stop, fearing the guards would catch up to her.

Finally, she saw a light in the distance - a small gas station. She stumbled towards it, hoping to find help.

As she burst through the door, the attendant looked up in surprise. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked, taking in Lexi's disheveled appearance.

Lexi nodded, trying to catch her breath. "I need to use your phone," she said, her voice shaking.

The attendant handed her the phone, and Lexi quickly dialed a number. As she waited for someone to pick up, she glanced out the window, fearing she'd see the guards pulling up.

But for now, the coast was clear. And as she heard a familiar voice on the other end of the line, Lexi felt a surge of hope. She might just make it out of this alive.

"Raven, it's me," Lexi said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Lexi! Oh my god, where are you?" Raven's voice was laced with worry.

"I don't really know," Lexi replied. "I am at a gas station just close to Antonio's mafia compound."

"What!? Are you sure?" Raven's voice rose in alarm. "I just tracked you, and you're in an entirely different location. But anyway, don't panic, I'm coming to get you." Raven said and cut the call while Lexi breathed out she gave the attendant back his phone and he kept giving her weird stares.

"You okay, miss?. You look a little shaken"

Lexi forced a smile " I'm okay, thanks".

The attendant nodded sympathetically but his eyes still held a hint of suspicion. Lexi knew she had to get out of here before he started asking more questions. She glanced out the window checking the horizon for any signs of Raven's arrival.

A few minutes later, an unexpected rain started, and the attendant had to lock the door. Lexi said she would leave, and she stepped out into the downpour. Just as she disappeared into the rain, the guards who had been chasing her arrived at the gas station. They knocked on the door, and the attendant opened it, raising his eyebrows at the sight of the guards wearing the same uniform as the lady he had spoken with earlier.

"Did you see a lady wearing this uniform, about this tall?" the guard who had raised the alarm earlier asked, his eyes scanning the area.

The attendant nodded, pointing in a direction opposite to where Lexi had actually gone. "Yes, I did. She went that way. She actually came here a while ago."

The guards immediately took off in the direction the attendant had pointed, disappearing into the rain. The attendant breathed a sigh of relief, whispering to himself, "I hope she reaches her destination safely."

–––

As Lexi ran in the rain, she saw a familiar car - Raven's car. She waved at the car, and Raven stopped abruptly, allowing Lexi to jump in. Before they could even exchange a word, three cars circled them, blocking their movement.

"Who are these freaking people?" Raven muttered.

"I think it's them, the guards that were chasing after me," Lexi replied, her voice laced with anxiety.

Raven's eyes narrowed. "Really? They stopped me from passing this area, saying they're looking for a prisoner. Hold on tight, I'm gonna outdo them."

Lexi's heart skipped a beat as she quickly fastened her seatbelt, bracing herself for what was to come.

Raven floored it, and the car surged forward, weaving through the three cars that had blocked their path. Lexi's heart was racing as Raven expertly maneuvered the vehicle, narrowly avoiding collisions with the other cars.

"Hold on!" Raven shouted, as she took a sharp turn, the tires screeching in protest.

Lexi's knuckles were white as she gripped the armrest, her eyes fixed on the road ahead. She could see the guards' cars behind them, their headlights illuminating the rain-soaked streets.

Raven took another sharp turn, and Lexi's stomach lurched. But Raven's driving skills were impressive, and she managed to stay ahead of their pursuers.

"We're almost clear," Raven said, her voice steady. "Just a few more blocks."

As they finally shook off their pursuers, Raven let out a triumphant whoop. "Yes! We lost them!"

Lexi breathed a sigh of relief, her heart still racing from the intense chase.

When the guards were sure they lost the chase they headed back to the mob house and just like the boss said he chopped the guard leader's head off, he bent down, his eyes gleaming with a mix of fascination and disgust, and he licked the blood flowing from the severed head. He spat it out, his face contorted in a sour expression.

"His blood is as lame as his skills," The boss sneered, kicking the lifeless body with a vicious swing of his leg.

The other guards cowered in fear, some of them urinating on themselves in terror. Just as it seemed the brutal display was over, a gunshot echoed through the room. The boss screamed in pain, clutching his hand.

The shooter stepped forward, revealing a man in his late forties. "Father!" he cried, his voice trembling with emotion.

Mr. X's assistant approached him, concern etched on his face. "Mr. X-" he began, but Mr. X raised his hand, silencing him.

"You brat," Mr. X seethed, his eyes blazing with fury. "I told you to impersonate Antonio, but your blood-licking, maniacal obsession makes you incompetent. You're ruining my fucking legacy!".