DESPERATE ESCAPE

Isabella’s POV

I couldn't bring myself to accept the fact that my mother was gone. I kept thinking that maybe she had just run away, or maybe she had been kidnapped. I clung to these thoughts, even though they were far-fetched and unlikely. It was easier to believe in these fantasies than to face the truth. The grief and the pain were like a weight on my chest, crushing me from the inside.

The funeral was a blur. I watched the proceedings with a numbness that I couldn't shake. It all felt like a terrible dream, and I kept waiting for someone to wake me up. But as I watched my mother's casket being lowered into the ground, I knew that this was real. And it was too much to bear. I felt like I was shattering into a million pieces, and I didn't know how to put myself back together.

As I watched the casket disappear into the ground, I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. I sank to my knees and the tears came in waves. The sobbing was uncontrollable. The world seemed to be spinning around me, and I couldn't find my footing, as the tears fell, I knew that I would never be the same again.

My father's arms were around me, and he held me as if he were afraid that I might crumble into dust. He said nothing, but his presence was a comfort. I clung to him like a life raft, trying to find some solid ground. And as the tears finally subsided, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. I had no more strength left, and I leaned against my father's chest, spent and empty.

As the funeral attendees began to disperse, I felt a profound sense of isolation. I didn't want to talk to anyone, and I didn't want anyone to talk to me. I just wanted to go home and be alone. I tugged at my father's sleeve, and he looked down at me, his face etched with sadness. "Please, Dad," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "Can we just go home?" He nodded, and we made our way to the car in silence.

I rushed up the stairs to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. I could hear my father calling my name, but I didn't want to talk to him. I just wanted to shut out the world, to escape into my head. I threw myself onto my bed, burying my face in my pillow. I let the darkness envelop me, and I tried to shut out the grief and the pain. But it was still there, like a shadow that I couldn't escape.

I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, I realized that my 20th birthday was just around the corner. I had been looking forward to it for so long, but now it felt like a cruel joke. How could I celebrate without my mother by my side? The thought was too much to bear, and I began to sob again. I felt like a child, lost and alone, with no one to turn to. The thought of spending my birthday without my mother was unbearable, and I didn't know how I would get through it.

I woke and realized that I had slept off while crying. I heard muffled voices coming from my father's study, and I tiptoed over to the door. I pressed my ear against the wood, straining to hear what was being said.

"I can't believe you would do this," my father said, his voice laced with anger and hurt. "You know what the mafia is capable of. You put our family in danger!" There was a long pause, and then my uncle's voice came through the door. "I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do," he said, his voice sounding defeated. "I was desperate." My father let out a long sigh, and then his voice softened.

"You took out a loan from the wrong people, and now they're demanding payment, Noah!" I froze, my mind racing. My uncle had always been a bit of a gambler, but I never imagined that he would get involved with the mafia. I listened intently as my father continued.

My father's disappointment and anger were clear in his voice, but underneath it all was a sense of sadness and regret. He had always trusted his brother, and now he was faced with the reality that his brother had made a terrible mistake. "I don't understand how you could be so careless," he said, his voice breaking. "What were you thinking?" I felt a knot in my stomach as I listened to their conversation.

My uncle's response was callous and uncaring. "That's your problem to figure out," he said, his tone dismissive. "I can't help you." My father's voice was full of anguish. "You put us all in danger," he said, his voice rising in frustration. "You need to take responsibility for your actions."

My uncle's reply was curt. "You're on your own, brother," he said

“What’s done is done. You just have to think of a way to get out of this, from what I’ve heard he’s not someone you’ll want to mess with, he is a very dangerous man. I haven’t met him, but I heard from people around that he’ll do anything to get what he wants, it’s too bad the investment I had in mind failed, I had big plans for us. We were going to make a lot of money, pay him back, and enjoy the rest” Uncle Noah told Dad looking calmly.

“Stop lying, Noah!, I know you better than anyone and you’re only here because you lost all of that money even if the investment had gone through you wouldn’t have come back here”

“I just lost Hannah for goodness sake where do I get fifty thousand dollars in the space of one month? I told you I needed five thousand dollars which I have already repaid and I specifically told you to go to the bank”.

“Were you looking for a death wish or something? You better find a way to fix this mess without involving my family, or else you’ll have me to contend with, now Leave my house!” I heard Dad say.

I felt sick to my stomach, and I slunk back to my bedroom, my mind reeling.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and I barely recognized the person staring back at me. My eyes were red and puffy, and my skin was pale and wan. I looked like a shell of my former self, and I felt hollow inside. I sank onto my bed, feeling overwhelmed and lost. I had no idea how to go on without my mother by my side.

I took my bath and left the room. I was about to lie on my bed after dressing before the door opened and Dad came in. “Hi Dad,” I said softly “Hi Bella, how are you feeling,” he said coming close to me to hug me. “I’m fine, we’ll get through it,” I said with my face on his chest. I didn’t expect what he was about to say next.

"I'm thinking we should get out of here," my father said, his voice sounding far away. I looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?" I asked. "We can't stay here," he said, his voice urgent. "It's not safe." He didn't elaborate, and I felt even more confused. I could tell that he was holding something back, but I didn't know what it was. "But why?" I pressed. "I just think it's for the best," he said, avoiding my gaze.

I nodded, even though I still had a million questions running through my mind. I could tell that my father was stressed and worried, and I didn't want to make things harder for him. "Okay," I said, my voice quiet. "I trust you." I could see the relief on his face, and he pulled me into a tight hug. "Thank you," he said. I leaned into his embrace, feeling a small sense of comfort. But underneath it all, I still felt a deep sense of uncertainty and dread.

I woke up the next morning with a strange mix of emotions. I felt energized and ready to face the day, but there was also a deep sadness that I couldn't shake. I looked around my room, my eyes falling on the familiar objects that I had known my whole life. I suddenly felt a strong sense of nostalgia and loss. I would miss this place, even though it was the site of so much pain. The realization was almost too much to bear.

I got out of bed and made my way down the hall to my father's study. I heard the murmur of his voice on the phone, and I hesitated in the doorway, not wanting to interrupt. But then my stomach growled, and I remembered that I hadn't eaten breakfast. I quietly backed out of the room and went to the kitchen to make myself something to eat. As I scrambled some eggs, I couldn't help but think about what the future would hold.

I took my breakfast to my room and sat at my desk, eating slowly and methodically. But my thoughts were racing, and it was hard to focus on the food. Suddenly, I heard raised voices from downstairs, and I knew that my father was arguing with someone. I strained to hear the conversation, my curiosity getting the better of me. But I couldn't make out the words, and I felt a sense of anxiety.

I tiptoed down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. I peered around the corner and saw my father in the living room with a group of men I had never seen before. They were all tall and muscular, with an air of menace about them. My father was talking to them in a low, intense voice, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me. Who were these men, and what did they want?

As I looked at the group of men more closely, I noticed that one of them had a tattoo of a snake on his arm, and another had a menacing-looking scar across his face. I felt a chill run down my spine as I noticed that one of the men was holding a gun. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. I had to know what was going on, and I had to do it without being detected.

I noticed another man in the group who was strikingly handsome, with chiseled features and dark hair. But there was something about him that gave me the creeps. He was lounging on the couch like he owned the place, a self-assured smirk on his face. I felt a sense of unease as I took in the scene before me. I didn't know what was happening, but I knew that something was very wrong.

"This is my house," my father said, his voice shaking with anger. "And you are not welcome here. I want you to leave, now." The men looked at each other, a look of amusement on their faces. "I don't think you understand the situation," the man with the scar said, his voice smooth and dangerous. "You are in no position to make demands." I felt a wave of panic as the situation began to escalate.

The handsome man stood up and walked over to my father, his eyes cold and calculating. "You owe us money," he said, his voice low and threatening. "And we're going to collect, one way or another." My father stiffened, his jaw clenched. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, trying to keep his voice even. "You're mistaken." But I could tell that he was terrified. I felt a sense of dread as I watched the scene.

"If you don't behave, we'll take your daughter and make you watch," the man said, his eyes fixed on my father. My heart leaped into my throat, and I felt a rush of terror. I had been caught eavesdropping, and now I was in danger. I was frozen in fear, unable to move. My father's eyes met mine, and I could see the fear in them. He knew what was at stake.

I took a step back, trying to make myself as small as possible. I didn't want to be noticed, I just wanted to disappear. But then I heard one of the men say something that made my blood run cold. "I think the boss will like her," he said, his voice leering. I felt sick to my stomach, I was trapped, with no way out.

Another man spoke up, his voice hard and unyielding. "Our boss hates blondes," he said, his eyes never leaving me. "She's useless to us." I felt a wave of relief wash over me. At least I wasn't what they were looking for. But I was still in danger. I looked around, trying to find an escape route. But the men were blocking the only exit.

"No, please," my father pleaded, desperation in his voice. "Don't take her." But the men ignored him, advancing towards me. I was frozen with fear, unable to move. My heart was pounding, and I could barely breathe. I was trapped, and there was no way out. "She's coming with us," the man said, grabbing my arm. I tried to pull away, but his grip was like iron. My father tried to intervene, but it was no use.

"No!" my father yelled, trying to stop the men from taking me. The handsome man backhanded my father, sending him sprawling to the ground. My father tried to get up, but the man kicked him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. I felt sick as I watched the scene unfold. My father was defenseless, and I was powerless to help him. I felt like I was going to be sick.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my neck and I felt a wave of dizziness, the world started to spin. I tried to stay upright, but I felt my legs give out. The last thing I saw before everything went black was my father's face, his eyes filled with anguish. Then the darkness claimed me, and I knew no more.