6: Never leaving my son

“No!” I scream, stepping towards him, all into his personal space.

“He is my son!” I yell, hitting his chest. My throat burns, “Why are you doing this to me? Why? You know this is my only family then why are you breaking it? Why are you hurting me, Asher? Why!”

My fists meet his chest in harsh, forceful punches but he stays still, unmoving like a wall. His expressions are blank like he isn't the man who once loved me like his everything… like he isn't pouring hell on me.

His hands clasp around my wrists, refraining from any more movements. His dark eyes stare coldly into my tearful ones.

“Leave,” He asserts.

“I'm not going without my son,” I declare through clenched teeth, before yanking my hands free. I push him away and bolt to the stairs, climbing my way up until I reach Alex's room.

I barge inside, my eyes train on Alex who is eating a cookie with Kate lounging on the chair. I rush up to him and wrap him in my arms. My arms tremble as the fear of losing him claws up my chest.

“Mommy,” Alex whines.

“Let me hold you, please,” I murmur, biting back the cry but it's impossible with how much it's hurting. He will take him away anytime and I won't be able to do anything.

No.

I can't let him.

“Blue, what did he say?” Kate asks but I don't answer. I can't speak but cry pathetically. Alex shifts in my arms, lifting his head to look at me. His features contort into concern and shock.

“Mommy sad?” He asks, reaching for my face and kissing the top of my nose. I cry even more, unable to hold myself.

“Mommy,” he pouts sadly, tapping his small hand on my head before he leans into my chest.

As time goes by, Alex falls asleep on my chest while my mind refuses to shut off any thoughts. Kate left the room long ago. Asher didn't come to the room and I hope he will change his mind.

The sound of soft footsteps stirs me out of my trance. My tired puffy eyes train on the door as it clicks open softly.

Asher steps inside, his eyes slowly flicking between Alex and me. My hold tightens around Alex instinctively.

Asher quietly approaches the bed and sits in the chair by the side. His gaze remains on the floor for a brief moment.

The silence stretches between us, haunting me with countless negative thoughts.

“Asher, you can't do this to me,” I murmur in a tired voice. His head lifts to look back at us.

“Don't take my son away, please. You want to marry her. Do it, but don't make it worse for me. I can't live without my son,” I plead helplessly.

He stands up and reaches for Alex.

“No,” I mutter, refusing to let go of my child.

Asher sighs heavily, his hand moves from Alex's arm to my hand as he leans close, his nose brushes past mine and I almost shudder.

“Let's just fix it, Asher. Tell me what it is that I can change for you to love me again?” The fear of being separated from my child is truly heartwrecking that I can shove down the pain of betrayal if it means being by my son's side.

“Blue,” He murmurs, staring into my eyes as I break apart. He leans close, his voice ghosting over my ears.

“I have to do this,” He says and before I can utter a word, something stings on my neck. Fear spikes up my nerves and my whole body goes too heavy to move.

“There's no other way” His voice is a distant murmur. My vision spins and I try everything in my power to move but it's a battle I have already lost.

..

A searing pain throbs in my head as my eyes flutter open, coming face to face with a brown cardboard box, sealed perfectly. I lift my head, eyes skimming over my surroundings.

A load of cardboard boxes, all sealed, are pent up around me. A sudden jerk in the momentum and my head hits one of the boxes.

Realization dawns on me.

I'm in a loaded truck or a container.

Alone.

My son isn't in my arms anymore.

No. No. No.

I crawl to the door, using everything to push it open but it doesn't budge at all.

My ears perk up at the distant noises coming from outside then the rattle of metal cuts through the air, and the door opens. The gleaming, harsh lights hit my face, but as my vision adjusts, it falls on the man clad in rusty work clothes, a mask and a hat covering his face.

His hand stays around his belt.

I break out into cold sweats at the black sleek gun secured in his pocket.

“Shit. She is awake,” He mutters, attempting to climb up. I push the box at him, making him trip down before I jump out of the container and bolt away for my life.

“She is escaping!”

The shout leaves me trembling with fear but I don't stop. My bare feet thump harshly against the cracked concrete, matching the beat of my heart thrumming wildly in my chest. It's already dark with little to no lights in this area.

My hope to survive is barely holding on when the fast footsteps behind me follow.

I don't want to die. God, help me please.

As though my silent plea is heard, a line of trucks gets close. I run fast to get to the other side and just as I do, the trucks drive past me. The air blows my clothes, sending chills down my spine as it hits the damp skin from sweat. The trucks work as a barricade between me and those men.

Not wasting a second, I sprint my way far from the area. My breathing is ragged as I thought of my son, a thought enough to keep me pushing harder. The strong breeze whips across my face and body, hair flying behind as I tear through the wide alley, catching the dim flickering street lights on my way.

I must be far from Seattle because I'm not familiar with the surroundings.

God, where have they brought me?

My stomach cramps from running for so long. Sweat beads roll down my temples, drenching my clothes as my knees finally buckle.

A wince escapes my lips when my knees scrape against the concrete. Before I can force myself to stand, blinding lights from my left engulf me. I squint my eyes instinctively, the lights grow fast and before I know it, a scream tears through my chest at the glimpse of a car coming my way.