CROWN OF SCARS

A single mistake dragged the Clinton family into hell. But the real nightmare began the moment Elisa disappeared.

The first gunshot shattered the silence of the Clinton mansion. Annabelle jerked awake, her heart slamming violently against her chest. For a second, she stayed frozen beneath the sheets staring into the darkness her room.

Maybe it was a dream. Then another gunshot echoed through the house. Her breath hitched. "No, no, no......"

She threw the blanket aside and rushed out of bed barefoot, her hands trembling. The mansion that once felt warm and safe felt cold and unfamiliar.

"Mom?" She cried softly as she stepped into the hallway. No answer, fear crawled slowly into her chest. "Dad"?

Then she heard it. Crying voices downstairs and heavy footsteps.

Annabelle's stomach tightened instantly. Panic consumed her as she hurried toward the staircase. The closer she got, the clearer the terrifying sounds became.

Men shouting, furniture breaking and someone sobbing helplessly. Her legs weakened.

As she slowly descended the staircase, the sight before her destroyed every sense of safety she had ever known.

Her parents on the floor. Tied, bruised and helpless. Her brother knelt beside them crying uncontrollably while armed men dressed in black surrounded them like predators waiting to strike.

Annabelle's breath caught in her throat. The only person missing was Elisa, her younger sister. Fear exploded inside her chest. She instantly stepped backward, ready to run. "DON'T MOVE!"

One of the men turned sharply and pointed a gun directly at her forehead. "Come down. Now." Annabelle froze instantly.

Tears burned her eyes as her shaky legs carried her downstairs. The moment she reached the living room, two men grabbed her roughly and forced her beside her family.

"Mom....." She cried brokenly. Mrs. Clinton burst into tears. "My baby....."

Suddenly, the room went silent. Footsteps echoed from the entrance. Slow, heavy and terrifying. Every armed man instantly lowered his head in respect.

Then he appeared. A man dressed in an expensive black suit walked into mansion with dangerous elegance. His polished shoes clicked calmly against the marble floor while an axe dragged beside him scratching against the tiles with a horrifying sound. Screeech.......

His expression was cold and calm. But his eyes? Pure death. Annabelle felt her entire body tremble.

Mr Clinton immediately crawled forward and fell flat before him. "Please" he cried desperately "Please, let my family go! They have nothing to do with this." "Take your anger out on me."

Without warning he slammed his shoe against Mr Clinton's head, crushing his face against the floor. Mr. Clinton screamed in agony.

"Dad!" Annabelle cried. "Leave him alone!" She shouted through tears. The dangerous man slowly turned toward her. For the first time his expression shifted.

Interest. He moved his foot from her father's head and began walking toward her slowly. Mr. Clinton panicked and grabbed his trouser leg.

"Please..... she's just a child." The man yanked his leg violently.

Then he crouched in front of Annabelle. Close enough for her to smell the expensive cologne mixed with blood. "You should've warned your father before he decided to play with fire, he said calmly.

His voice was terrifying. "And now," he whispered staring directly into her eyes. "All of you will pay for his mistakes."

The entire family broke into desperate pleas and cries. "Please...... we're begging you! Have mercy"

"SHUT up!" he roared suddenly. The room fell silent instantly. He stood and faced Clinton again.

"You reported me the police because you didn't want to pay my money," he said coldly. "Now, the media is questioning my businesses. Everyone suddenly wants to know where my money really comes from."

He grabbed Clinton by the collar aggressively. "I asked for one thing." His eyes darkened. Deliver the item."

Mr Clinton cried helplessly. "I was trying to get the money! I agreed to that deal because I was drowning in debt. I got scammed. Desmond, my creditors are after me.

Desmond punched him so hard blood exploded from his nose. Mrs Clinton screamed. "Stop! Please stop!" Desmond slowly turned toward her.

Then he lifted the axe. Annabelle's breathing stopped. Mrs Clinton eyes widened in horror. Desmond raised the axe higher.

"No" the scream came from Annabelle. Everyone froze.

From the corner of the room, a young girl of twenty four years rushed forward in tears. "Please don't kill my mother!" She cried desperately. Desmond paused. The axe lowered.

He stared at her for a long moment before his lips curved into a terrifying smile. "Don't cry little one" he said softly. "I'll make this easier." He pulled out a gun.

BANG! Mrs. Clinton's body dropped lifelessly to the floor. For a second, the world stopped. Annabelle couldn't breath. She froze in fear.

Her mother's dead eyes stared blankly at her while blood spread slowly across the marble floor. "Mom!!! Her scream tore through the mansion. Her younger brother broke down completely.

Mr Clinton stared at his wife body in horror. "Why......" He whispered brokenly. BANG! The bullet pierced through his chest.

Annabelle felt something inside her shatter. "Dad.....! Dad.....! Dad.....!

She crawled desperately toward Desmond and grabbed his leg tightly. "Please!" She sobbed uncontrollably. "Please spare my brother I'll do anything! Please!"

Desmond looked at her silently. For a long time moment, he simply stared. Then unexpectedly he pulled her into a tight hug. Annabelle froze in shock.

"Don't cry "he murmured softly beside her ear. "For the sake of your beauty..... I'll spare you both."

Suddenly, he pulled away sharply as though remembering something. His expression darkened instantly. "There were supposed to be two daughters." He slowly turned toward his men. "Where's the other one?"

One of them bowed silently. "We found these two in the house." Desmond jaw tightened. For the first time irritation flashed across his face. Then he spoke coldly. "Take them."

Annabelle screamed as the man dragged her away. "No! MOM! DAD!

Her cries echoed painfully through the blood stained mansion as she was forced pass the lifeless bodies of her parents, the dead house staff and the home that has just become a graveyard.

She had no idea where they were taking her or the kind of fate waiting ahead. But deep down, she knew some endings were far worse than death