Chapter 18: Chapter 18

"Ever heard the tale of Cain and Abel?"

12:00 AM THE D-DAY

Adriana tried calling one more time. She had been at it all night and was exhausted. She didn't even realize she had slept despite all means she had tried not to.

The number you are trying to call is currently switched off.

She angrily tossed her phone on the bed. The force made its boomerang back at her. It hit the ground before she could catch it, sending a loud echo in the room that killed the silence.

"What do I even care?" She ranted to herself.

"I need some sleep. I'll think about it tomorrow." She muttered to herself.

She laid on the bed and cleaned her eyes to get some sleep.

Just then, her cracked phone lit up. Silent but someone was calling. Nathan was calling.

7:00 AM

Thomas hovered over his daughter.

His shadow making her subconscious sense she was in danger and she roused.

"Dad? What are you doing here? It's so early."

"The perfect time to catch the blackmailer. We, my dear, are going to the creek."

Every bit of sleep that clouded Adriana's mind zoomed off.

Today.

"Can't we at least have a relaxing time? It's Saturday for Laziness' sake."

Thomas gave her a no.

"Just get dressed Adriana, There's some bread you can eat on your way. I want this blackmailer out of my neck."

"Ok." Adriana groaned, sluggishly getting out of bed and taking her phone.

"Which reminds me. Nathan called you."

Adriana froze. Tapping her phone almost immediately her father said it.

12:12! That bastard.

"Does he call you that often? He's probably trying to get to spill something. I can only imagine the look that will be on his face when that bullet goes through his heart." Rodriguez stated.

"Yes. Maybe." Adriana said, drained.

She planned to go into the shower and wait until her father left the room. She would then go back to call Nathan.

Like she planned, her father left the room and she returned and tried Nathan again.

"Pick up, you prick."

The good thing was that his phone was on now but the bad news was he wasn't picking.

Adriana decided to send him a text.

My father has a plan. He's going to kill someone. Call me what you see.

Before she could send it, Nathan called.

"Hello." She said.

"Hey Adriana if this is about last night em"

"Oh please. This is not about last night, it's about your plan. My dad..."

Adriana suddenly squeaked seeing a dreaded figure smiling at her.

Her phone dropped.

"Dad. I can ex..."

"Who was that? You were screaming."

"Em...One of our workers, he em...wanted a leave."

"Is that so. You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you done bathing?"

"I was going to get my towel."

"Please do and..." He reached to the floor to pick the phone Adriana threw to the floor. "This is very expensive to come by. Treat them with care next time."

Adriana watched her father toss her phone into her bed. Her heart still pounding furiously.

"What are you waiting for Adriana? We are getting late."

Adriana scrambled away, thanking the beings above for protecting her and Thomas from heartbreak.

The only problem was what would she do now.

She turned the valve and cold water rained on her bare skin.

You have to think fast Adriana.

***

Nathan was lucky. He cut the phone early. Their plans had almost gone down the drain.

"Who called?" Rodriguez asked, his wife just as concerned.

Nathan faked a grin.

"Just Adriana having second thoughts but it ok now."

"Oh ok. I guess we are ready now."

Nathan sighed. Not sure he could go through with this. He felt like a child going for his first debate.

The butterflies in his tummies were wicked zombies and he felt the urge to vomit.

"I just have to see my mother."

He then rushed upstairs to the room his mother always locked herself in whenever he was around and spoke his mind.

"Mom. I'm going now. I want you to wish me luck and...It's okay."

The door creaked and the door extended to leave a dark opening. Nathan saw an eye peek out.

The balls were red and swollen. She had been crying.

Reaching his hand to the knob, He gave more way, enough for him to pass, and hugged his mother.

She smelt like ashes but he hugged her tight.

"I don't blame you. I could never do that. And not to worry, I'm getting it all back tonight."

"I know you will. I wish you luck."

"Thanks, Mom."

Rodriguez and Nathan got into the vehicle that would wheel them to the creek.

A cream Honda.

"You look tense," Rodriguez noted, igniting the car's engine.

"I'll be fine."

The car then slowly walked out of the driveway gathering momentum and when it reached the road sped off.

THE CREEK 10:00 AM

"We have to leave the car here and go on foot."

Nathan knew he was right. Adriana had mentioned something about her father changing the plans. He could hardly remember since she was incoherent and her call made him unstable as of that time.

"Yes. We should find a perfect place to hide and watch him drop the papers."

"What if he drops a fake?"

"Adriana made sure he didn't and if he has. She'll notify us."

"Let's go."

They agreed and separated ways.

The creek was a stony mountain like canyon that couldn't stay well with someone that feared heights. The bright side was it was unkempt and had grass tall enough for a strike team to hide in.

A few minutes passed and a black limo parked.

It once belonged to Nathan.

Two individuals highlighted. One dressed in a crappy designer three-piece suit that although was expensive lacked style and a lady who looked like she was rushed out in the middle of her dressing up. Makeup not done but she was just as gorgeous. She was dressed in a simple blue dress that was tight enough and displayed her cleavages begging for an auction.

They walked up to the cliff and dropped the folder they had been forced to bring along.

"We've dropped it and but we ask for your silence. The company is yours."

Rodriguez got ready for his part and took a fake gum they had built expertly from modeling clay and color. There was no difference between it and a real gun if it was shaken around occasionally.

"Step back and slowly move to your car." Rodriguez spat, waving the gun madly at them and adjusting the itchy hood that covered his face.

They obeyed. Slowly stepping back and giving Rodriguez enough time to pick the folder and examine it.

It was the original and the operation was a success.

A loud bang followed.

Rodriguez felt something wheeze before him.

He instinctively to where the sound and the wheeze came from.

A man with a scar lining from his head down to his collar, a straight line.

"You betrayer"

More shots followed proclaiming that the mission was compromised.

Nathan burst out of where he was hiding.

"Thomas stop this madness. People are going to get hurt."

"So you're not the one in the mask."

Adriana turned to see the gunman pointing the weapon right at Nathan. Her father's words repeated in her head.

I can only imagine the look that will be on his face when that bullet goes through his heart.

This was against her belief but she would rather die than watch Nathan fall.

She raced against time to save Nathan, jumping in front of him at the last moment.

A shot followed.

Time stopped and all eyes turned to Adriana. A bullet in her stomach and crimson pouring like tap water.

Before anyone could react, Nathan was fired. The bullet hitting square in his chest and sending him flying off the cliff.

Thomas turned to his Hitman seeing his daughter bleeding out.

"You shot her you bastard."

He then rushed to his daughter's side.

"Adriana! Stay with me. Please."

Rodriguez walked up to the man weeping over his child drifting slowly to the heavens.

"She's gone."

Another shot. Fired by none other than Rodriguez himself.

A bullet to the head, Thomas could still see what had happened.

"It was you all along."

"Yes. It was all my idea."

News Flash: A couple killed by a mad father. Bodies yet to be found.