Chapter 2
The two mafia bosses circle each other, their eyes locked on each other, their hands twitching towards their guns. Scarlet and The Russian leader are both running low on ammo, and they're starting to get desperate. The Russian leader moves suddenly, drawing his pistol and firing off a shot at Scarlet. Scarlet ducks, the bullet just missing her head as it ricochets off the wall behind her. She's quick, drawing her own gun and firing back at The Russian leader. He dodges the shot, and the two mafia bosses start firing rapidly at each other, ducking and weaving through the shadows. The warehouse is filled with the sound of gunfire and the smell of gunpowder. The Russian leader tries to make a break for the door, but Scarlet grabs him by the collar and pulls him back, shoving him against the wall.
"You're not going anywhere, Prince," she growls. He smirks.
"You really think you can take me on, Duchess?" he asked. She raises her gun and presses it to his forehead.
"I think I can do more than that," she said.
As Scarlet presses the gun to The Russian leader's forehead, he smiles, his eyes cold and calculating.
"You really think you can kill me?" he asked, his voice mocking. "I've been doing this a lot longer than you have, Duchess. I know all the tricks." She laughs, a harsh, humorless sound.
"You think you know everything, but you don't know me at all. You may have been in the game longer, but I'm a lot smarter than you think." With that, she pulls the trigger.
The gunshot is deafening in the small, enclosed space. The Prince slumps to the ground, a look of shock on his face. Scarlet stands over him, breathing hard. The adrenaline is coursing through her body, making her heart pound and her head spin. She looks down at the body of The Russian leader, she let out a satisfying smile. She turned around to help her babies but found out that they handle the dogs well. They weren't in her gang for nothing.
" How did you know this was going to happen?" Dracula questioned picking up the brief case stack with cash.
" That's what he has been doing for years" she said calmly, lighting up her weed.
" Gloria called earlier" Rachel said, handing the phone over to her. Scarlet grabbed the phone and entered the car.
She dialed the first number on the contact list and waited for the caller to pickup.
" Hello" an angelic voice said from the other end
" Why did you call me?" Scarlet asked, puffing out another round of smoke.
" Can't I call you again? Aren't you my baby girl again?" The voice faked tears.
" Gloria stop your melodramatic characters" Scarlet scolded.
" Fine. How are you doing today? Have you eaten or are drinking and smoking again?" Gloria asked.
" Am fine, I will call you back later in the night" she hung up without waiting for her reply.
Gloria is a woman who saved her from death 20 years ago.
★★★ FLASH BACK ★★★
Gloria, a forest researcher, is in the middle of collecting data on the local flora and fauna when she hears a child's screams. She tries to ignore it at first, knowing she should stay focused on her work, but then she sees the child fall over the cliff and impale themselves on a fallen tree branch. Despite her initial reluctance, Gloria knows she can't just walk away - it's a life-or-death situation.
Gloria rushes to the child's side and quickly assesses the situation - the child is unconscious and bleeding heavily. With her first aid training, Gloria manages to stabilize the child and stop the bleeding. As she's trying to figure out how to get help, she realizes her phone has no reception in the remote location. Gloria knows she has to make a decision - stay with the child and hope someone finds them, or attempt to carry the child down the treacherous terrain to get help.
Gloria's heart is pounding as she speaks to the child, trying to keep her calm despite the fear she's feeling. She's trying to assess the extent of the child's injuries, but it's hard with the huge rod stuck in her chest.
"It's gonna be okay, I'm gonna get you outta here, just stay with me." Gloria said, with shakey voice as she tries to sound confident. The child starts to stir, and as she opens her eyes, Gloria sees the terror in them.
"Please don't let me die," the child whispers, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so scared."
Gloria's heart breaks at the child's words, and she feels a surge of determination. "I won't let you die," she said firmly. "We're gonna get through this together". As she's trying to figure out how to get the child out of the forest, they hear a noise nearby - footsteps, and the sound of branches cracking.
-Gloria freezes, her eyes darting around the forest, searching for the source of the noise. Suddenly, a figure steps out from behind a tree - it's a man, and he doesn't look friendly.
"Well, well, well," he said, his voice laced with malice.
"What do we have here?".Gloria puts herself between the child and the man, trying to look confident even though she's terrified.
"She's hurt, and you need to leave us alone." She said
"Oh, I don't think so," the man said, taking a step closer.
"I think I'm gonna take both of you with me."
Gloria feels a surge of adrenaline, and she starts to back away, trying to keep the man away from the child.
"Leave us alone, I'm not gonna let you hurt her." She said as her voice began to crack
The man laughs, and it sends a shiver down Gloria's spine. "You can't stop me, there's no one out here but us" he laughed cruelly
Just as the man lunges towards Gloria, a shout rings out from behind him. It's a park ranger, and he's got a gun pointed at the man's back.
"Freeze!" he shouted.
The man freezes, his eyes wide with fear. Gloria breathes a sigh of relief as the ranger handcuffs the man and calls for backup. The ranger helps Gloria carry the child out of the forest, and they're taken to the nearest hospital. The child undergoes surgery, and the doctors say she'll make a full recovery. After the surgery, the child falls into a deep coma. It's unclear if she'll ever wake up, and the doctors are cautious about giving any sort of prognosis.
For the next six months, Gloria visits the child's bedside every day, holding her hand and talking to her, hoping and praying for her to wake up.
Finally, after months of waiting and hoping, the child begins to stir. She opens her eyes and looks at Gloria with a confused expression.
" Hi dear. Do you remember me?" Gloria asked, waving at her.
" I want to avenge my family" she said looking at the ceiling.
" What's your name? Am Gloria" Gloria asked, bringing forth her hand.
" Ariana" she replied coldly.
" Explain everything to me dear" Gloria coaxed her. Ariana opened up to her, Gloria's blood boil as she had the story.
" We're leaving this now. Your revenge will start soon" Gloria declared walking out on her.
★★★ END OF FLASH BACK★★★
Scarlet pocket her phone and threw the remaining weed out. Everyone entered the car and they left.
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THREE DAYS LATER★★★★
PARTY NIGHT~~~ 8: 30 PM*****
The Mob members are cleaning their gun and tucking them in their hidden pockets when the three people they have been waiting for came out.
Scarlett, Dracula, and Rachel emerge from their room, dressed in their finest. Scarlett is in a sleek, black gown that hugs her curves, her hair pulled back in a tight bun. Dracula is in a tailored tuxedo, his hair slicked back, his demeanor cold and calculating. Rachel is in a stunning pantsuit, her eyes hidden behind dark glasses, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her jacket. They walk with purpose, their steps echoing down the hallway.
" Morning boss" all the clan bowed to Scarlet but she ignored them as usual ending to the company lab.
The three makes their way to the computer room, their footsteps echoing in the empty hallways. The door to the computer room is guarded, but Rachel's quick work with a lock pick has them inside in no time. The room is a mess of wires and screens, the air thick with the hum of electricity. A figure hunched over a keyboard looks up as they enter, his eyes widening in surprise. He quickly stood from his chair abandoning everything he was working on.
" Good morning boss" he greeted bowing down.
" Where are the fake ID cards?" Scarlet asked ignoring his greetings.
" Almost ready boos. Here is a soft copy of it" he said showing them the copies in his computer.
" Good. But don't keep me waiting Chancellor" Scarlet declared walking out with Dracula leaving Rachel behind to monitor him.
*** 30 minutes later****
Chancellor emerges from a computer room with Rachel, a sheaf of ID cards in hand. He strides over to Scarlet and Dracula.
"These should do the trick. You're all set" he said handing the IDs..
"Good. It's time to move." Scarlet smirked devilishly, checking it out.
The three of them head out, the other mob members following close behind.
The engine roars to life, and the car peels away from the curb, tires squealing. The city streets fly by, and the mood inside the car is tense and electric.
"This is it. This is the moment we've been preparing for" she thought smiling sinisterly. The car hurtles toward its destination, the darkness of the night closing in around them.
★★★★ ECHO HALL ~~~ PROMOTIONAL PARTY★
Just then, the sound of squealing tires and screeching brakes echoes through the night air. A sleek black car skids to a halt outside the hall. The engine revs, and the sound of a car door slamming echoes through the night. Silence descends, broken only by the sound of footsteps approaching the entrance.
"Let me do the talking. We've gotta look convincing." Dracula whispered.
"Got it. Just follow my lead." Scarlet nodded. They approach the security guards, flashing their badges. The guards nod and wave them in. Success!
As they walked in there eyes scanned the hall.
The building is a towering edifice, all glass and steel, lit up like a beacon against the night sky. As they approach, the hall's grandeur is revealed: sweeping pillars, ornate carvings, and a massive marble staircase leading to the entrance. It's a sight to behold. Inside, the hall is a cavernous expanse, filled with glittering chandeliers and plush velvet curtains. The air is thick with the smell of expensive perfume and the buzz of conversation.
Scarlet nodded at Rachel. With a quick sweep of the room, Rachel mentally maps out every camera and guard in sight. Her eyes dart around the room, picking out each security camera, each guard patrolling the perimeter, and each hidden microphone. She mentally notes the layout of the hall, the exits, and potential hiding spots. She's like a human security scanner, her mind calculating every possible scenario and exit route. She nods at Scarlet and Dracula, signaling that she's ready.
" Now turn off the cameras" Scarlet ordered Chance, through a tiny ear pod.
" Yes and it's done" Chance said as his hands danced madly on the keyboard.
" How do we get him and where is he?" She asked again.
" He's getting ready for his speech which will happen 2 minutes from now" Chance replied, " after his speech there will a power cut for 1 minute that will be the perfect time to get him".
" Can't you extend the time" Rachel asked picking a drink.
" If it last longer than a minute then the securities will be on high alert. This is a promotional party so it's difficult to hold longer than a minute" Chance explained, with his glued to the screen.
" So we have one minute to capture him?" Scarlet asked again.
" Yes boss".
Scarlet walked in fully waiting for him to give his speech. Soon the crowd murmurs in anticipation as Inspector Brazil Smith steps onto the stage, ready to address the people.
But as he begins to speak, a chill runs down his spine. He can feel a gaze upon him, like a knife. Scarlet eyes burn with hatred and fury, piercing him like a spotlight. Brazil falters, stumbling over his words as he tries to ignore the intensity of her gaze. But it's no use, her anger is palpable, and it hangs in the air like a thundercloud.
Brazil clearly rattled, rushes through his speech, his voice quivering and his words slurring. He wraps up his remarks as quickly as possible, and as the crowd starts to applaud, he bolts off the stage, moving faster than anyone's ever seen him move before. He practically sprints towards the exit, sweat beading on his forehead as he tries to put as much distance between himself and Scarlet as possible. He can feel her eyes on his back, and he's terrified of what might happen if she catches up to him...
Who is she and why is she staring at me like that? Her eyes holds no emotions, I have never wronged anyone so who the hell is she? He thought as he walked into the room.
" Now" Scarlet ordered.
The power goes out with a deafening click, plunging the room into darkness. The crowd gasps and murmurs, but Scarlet, Dracula, and Rachel move quickly and with purpose. They use the confusion to their advantage, slipping through the shadows and zeroing in on their target. They corner him in a back hallway, and in a blur of fists and kicks, they subdue him. They bind his wrists and ankles, and in under a minute, he was their captive.
" You have 30 seconds to leave the building" Chance said fearfully.
Using the back entrance, they hustle the target out to their waiting car, a nondescript sedan that blends seamlessly into the darkness. They load him into the trunk, and slide into the car, engines purring. As they pull away from the building, they merge seamlessly into traffic, just another car on the road. No one notices their escape, and they drive off into the night, disappearing into the cityscape like ghosts.
" Sweet" Rachel smiled.
They drove for hours, through winding back roads and desolate stretches of highway, before finally arriving at the Clan. They pull into a hidden garage, and the sound of the car's engine is swallowed by the vast, echoing space. Inside, they drag their captive to a grimy, windowless room. The air is thick with the stench of sweat and fear, and the walls are lined with ominous-looking tools of torture.
" This is where your torture begins and this where your life will end. Am coming for you" Scarlet said gently caressing his cheeks..
" Who are you and what have I done wrong to deserve this?" Brazil cried, looking at the devil infront of him.
Her soulless eyes rolled. " You will know soon" she said and walked out. Brazil trembles as she lock the door behind her, sealing his fate.
" Keep an eye on him, I will be back shortly to determine the cause of his death" She ordered.
" Yes boss" The guards chorused bowing their heads.
She walked out with Dracula and Rachel following her, wondering the reason why she's getting revenge on a case that doesn't relate to her.