us know of Ariel’s location. Please miss.” “Are you begging her?” I asked Andre, giving him an irritated look. “She has a hold of Ariel, and her life is in danger. We have no choice.” “We have a choice,” I said immediately, shifting my gaze to the woman in red standing in front of me. “You better tell me where Ariel is, or else…” “Or else what?” Her voice was sharp, interrupting me mid–sentence. My frustration was reaching its peak, but I somehow found the strength to keep my composure. I could feel the tension in the air as we both stood there, glaring at each other. I didn’t even know if I should try to find the right words to diffuse the situation or if I should slam her to the ground. Because this woman could make me go nuts, she was already driving me crazy. I shook my head in intense annoyance. “How did my father even get married to you?” “How did you love me so much all those years?” She retorted with an acidic smile. “You know, you can just put your pride down and…” “There’s no pride around here,” I interrupted. Andre held both of my shoulders. “Think about Ariel. Would you want her to die?” I took his hands off my shoulders, and then I sighed deeply, closing my eyes and thinking things through. If Ariel died, how would my life be after that? Hold on, why were thoughts coming in like this? Who was Ariel to me anyway? I was going to tell her something until her children had to interrupt, and realizing that brought me to a universe of pure spleen. And my ignorance was what put her in this situation. If I had helped her, we wouldn’t be living in this moment right now. “You should start thinking like your friend, Pushki. He has a brain right in that head of his,” my mother continued with her mocking tone. f exhaled deeply for the second time. “You want me to beg you, right? I’ll do it.” “You should go down on your knees.” She smirked, tilting her head left with her arms crossed. Andre and I exchanged a glance immediately, and my glare towards this woman had to intensify. LUKE’S POV I couldn’t believe this woman was making me do this. But I knew I had to play along it I wanted to find Ariel. This woman must be feeling so full of herself at the moment. I slowly got down on my knees, feeling the hard ground beneath me. I could feel Andre’s gaze on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him. I was too angry and embarrassed. “Come on, Luke, beg me,” my mother taunted. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. “Please, Mom, tell me where Ariel is. I’ll do anything.” She just laughed, her mocking tone only adding fuel to my anger. Suddenly, a car pulled up in front of us, and two men in suits stepped out. I could see the glint of their guns in the moonlight. “Who the hell are these guys?” I asked, still on my knees. My mother’s smirk widened. “They’re here to make sure you and your little friend don’t try anything stupid.” I looked over at Andre, who was still standing, his hands held up in surrender.” What are we supposed to do now, huh?” “We have to stay calm and do as they say,” Andre replied, his voice shaking slightly. The two men approached us, their guns still pointed at us. One of them spoke in a gruff voice. “Alright, boys, let’s take a walk to the car. And don’t try any funny business.” We both stood up slowly, keeping our hands up and followed the two men to the car. I had a feeling something like this was going to happen. The moment we reached the car, one of the men opened the door and gestured for us to get in. I hesitated, but Andre gave me a reassuring nod, and we both climbed into the backseat. The men entered the car as well. I could see, through the window, my mother entering her car. She began to drive, and these men moved behind her. The car finally stopped, and Andre and I were not talking to each other the whole time. The men got out and dragged us out of the vehicle. It was such a painful us know of Ariel’s location. Please miss.” “Are you begging her?” I asked Andre, giving him an irritated look. “She has a hold of Ariel, and her life is in danger. We have no choice.” “We have a choice,” I said immediately, shifting my gaze to the woman in red standing in front of me. “You better tell me where Ariel is, or else…” “Or else what?” Her voice was sharp, interrupting me mid–sentence. My frustration was reaching its peak, but I somehow found the strength to keep my composure. I could feel the tension in the air as we both stood there, glaring at each other. I didn’t even know if I should try to find the right words to diffuse the situation or if I should slam her to the ground. Because this woman could make me go nuts, she was already driving me crazy. I shook my head in intense annoyance. “How did my father even get married to you?” “How did you love me so much all those years?” She retorted with an acidic smile. “You know, you can just put your pride down and…” “There’s no pride around here,” I interrupted. Andre held both of my shoulders. “Think about Ariel. Would you want her to die?” I took his hands off my shoulders, and then I sighed deeply, closing my eyes and thinking things through. If Ariel died, how would my life be after that? Hold on, why were thoughts coming in like this? Who was Ariel to me anyway? I was going to tell her something until her children had to interrupt, and realizing that brought me to a universe of pure spleen. And my ignorance was what put her in this situation. If I had helped her, we wouldn’t be living in this moment right now. “You should start thinking like your friend, Pushki. He has a brain right in that head of his,” my mother continued with her mocking tone. I exhaled deeply for the second time. “You want me to beg you, right? I’ll do it.” “You should go down on your knees.” She smirked, tilting her head left with her arms crossed. Andre and I exchanged a glance immediately, and my glare towards this woman had to intensify.