n

n

nThe man in a cloak turns to tip his hat at the couple, mocking them.

nThat's when Adrian catches sight of a golden ring on one of his gloved fingers. He immediately takes note of the insignia on his piece of jewelry. There's no way he's going to let them take Damien away without picking up a clue or two.

nCassidy grits her teeth and clenches her fists.

nAs much as she wants to save her nephew, they're outnumbered right now. They could still do it, but it might put him in danger. Their enemies got weapons with them. For all they knew, there could be traps lying around the theme park as well. With only a press on a button or something, they could blow up that whole place.

n

"Let's continue to play this game, shall we?

" the man said with a crooked smile.

nHis gaze is on Cassidy the whole time. Adrian notices this, and his insides churn with malice.

nWith that, Keith and the others finally took their leave.

nThe gun that Adrian has in his hand clatters to the ground. He then shakily falls to his knees, dread filling the pit of his stomach and making him want to vomit. Cassidy scrambles over to him, kneeling down and pulling him close - trying to offer some comfort. She herself is still shaken, however, and she's struggling to make sense of everything that has transpired.

nDamien has been kidnapped. Keith, Sophie's ex-fiance, is apparently onto them. And they have two other enemies to watch out for.

nShe has no idea what they're going to do, but she hopes that they're going to figure it out soon.

n

"Cassie!

"

nCassidy hears a bunch of hurried footsteps running towards them. She tilts her head up to see Charles and Edward rushing into the clearing, looking extremely distraught. She is relieved to find Aira with Asher - safe and sound. At the very least, they didn't manage to kidnap her too.

n

"What happened?

" Edward asked before looking around in a haste.

n

"Where's Damien?

"

n

"They took him...

" Cassidy croaked out, swallowing the lump in her throat.

n

"Damien has been taken away.

"

nHe turned ghastly pale right then, his entirety going still. There couldn't be anything worse than learning that his own son has been kidnapped. It's almost too hard too believe. He couldn't believe it.

nThen, what comes after aghast shock is panic and rage.

n

"No...!

" Aira cried out in disbelief.

n

"You're lying, big sis! He's probably just messing with us right now! We'll probably find him stuffing cotton candy in his mouth somewhere-

"

n

"Aira...

" Adrian interrupted, voice low and raspy - and there was a heavy sense of deadness to it that caused everyone to go stiff.

n

"He's gone.

"

n

"N-No. No, he's not-

"

n

"Asher...

" Cassidy called out, sounding a little strained.

n

"Please, bring everyone to the car for now. The police will be here soon. Adrian and I will talk to them. Edward can also stay behind.

"

n

"We'll stay with you,

" Asher said to which she shook her head.

n

"No. Go to the car and keep everyone safe.

"

nHe looks at her for a moment. Taking note of her husband's slumped frame next to her, he then eventually nods.

n

"Alright. Fine. We'll have it your way.

"

n

"Make sure not to lose sight of anyone.

"

nGiven no other choice, they all turn to leave. Asher spares one last look at Cassidy, his gaze firm. He tries to grin to reassure her but fails.

n

"I won't.

"

nShe watches them disappear through the stalls. A crowd is starting to gather around by then, trying to determine what happened – trying to see if it's already safe to come out. The sound of sirens rises up in the distance along with the round of chatters. They ignored it all as they only stayed there.

n

"Adrian...

" Cassidy called in a whisper.

n

"Do you know the people with that Keith guy, too?

"

n

"No...

" Adrian answered, his expression darkening more and more.

n

"I don't know them. But I'll make sure to end them all.

"

nShe opens her mouth to say something, anything that can break the heavy silence, but then he's sitting up again, setting his back straight. He then takes her hand and squeezes it reassuringly. This confuses her for a bit.

nAnd when Cassidy lifts her head up to look at Adrian, she finds a dangerous smile on his face.

n---

nDamien's name changed into either 'spoiled brat' or 'snobby rich kid' overnight.

nHe doesn't know what's up with these creeps - he has a name for goodness sake. But apparently, his kidnappers have an easier time calling him a series of insults rather than his given name, which is honestly just as well. He doesn't want them to refer to him like they're friends, anyway.

nBecause they aren't.

nNot for a million or a billion of dollars.

nThey've placed Damien in a square-shaped holding cell at some sort of hideout. It's relatively large, though he thinks it's meant for two or three people. There's no one with him, though. He's observed that he's been set apart from the rest.

nAll around him is cement. Anything that isn't cement is metal or cloth. The bed is a small rectangular blanket on the ground, and the windows are circular ventilation shafts that are too small to fit his fist through. The door to his cell is of better use for dogs, and the toilet is a bucket with a lid shoved off to the corner.

nIn other words, this looks like a hellhole for Damien.

nHe had woken up in this cell after he was taken away. Sometimes, he hears people screaming from outside. They're so terrifying they seep into his mind so he can hear them even when there's no sound at all. When this happens, he tries to think of his family, tries to tell himself to dream of their smiles so he can finally put himself to sleep.

nBut then, when he imagines the images of Edward, Cassidy, Adrian, of everyone - of Aira, they'll open their mouths and scream out the same horrifying sounds he keeps hearing.

nDamien once found the courage to ask the guard who stood behind his walls. He questioned where those screams were coming from. His sneer had been clear in his head up until that very moment.

n

"They're goods that're about to be sold off. You're next, kid.

"

n