133 SEARCHING LUKE’S POV Andre and I hurried through the vast, empty warehouse, our footsteps echoing against the cavernous walls. The dim light from a few high windows cast long shadows across the dusty floor, adding to the eerie atmosphere. We had been searching for Ariel, our voices calling out her name but receiving only silence in return. I could feel frustration building within me. “Andre,” I called out, my voice tinged with defeat. “I don’t think she’s here. Maybe we should call for help. Maybe we’re wasting our time.” Andre’s voice echoed through the warehouse. “Luke, we can’t give up now. Ariel needs us, and we’re not leaving until we find her.” I continued searching, pushing boxes aside and peering behind crates, but there was no trace of Ariel. It felt like an endless labyrinth, and hope was slipping through my fingers. As I approached the center of the warehouse, André joined me. “Luke, I know this is tough, but we can’t lose hope. Ariel is counting on us. We’ve come too far to give up now. We’ll find her, I promise.” His words stirred something within me. I nodded, steeling myself against the rising doubt. “You’re right, André. Let’s keep looking.” We ventured further, and then I caught a glimpse of something in the far corner. “Andre, over here!” I called out. We rushed over and found a little girl sitting on the floor, her expression a mix of relief and exhaustion. “Hey there, are you okay?” I asked, my voice trembling with concern. She nodded weakly, her eyes reflecting gratitude. “I’m okay, thanks to you both. I got lost in here and couldn’t find my way out.” “How exactly?” I asked her, raising an eyebrow. “Uhmm, Luke, we have a problem,” Andre spoke, and I turned around. It was the fearsome man, and he was walking in our direction. Shit! This isn’t good,” I said, staring at the man who was glaring at us. **** ARIEL’S POV “Hold on a minute; you want to kill me?” I asked the woman. “Are you surprised?” She smirked, crossing her arms. “Well, it’s just so terrifying. I don’t even know you, and yet you want to take my life. Have I done anything wrong to you? Because if I can clearly remember, We haven’t met. So tell me, what’s the problem around here? Why did you abduct me, and why do you want to kill me?” “You talk too much.” “No, I don’t.” “Yes, you do, and it’s really irritating.” “Don’t blame me. I’m scared, alright?” I shrugged. “And you talk too much when you’re scared.” “Well, something like that. But being serious around here, who are you actually?” “So you don’t know me?” She quizzed, heaving an eyebrow. “How am I supposed to know you? We haven’t met before, we haven’t talked, and I haven’t even seen your face in my entire life,” I brought out. “Oh, Ariel, aren’t you just a clown?” “She knows my name,” I whispered to myself and then set my eyes back on her. ” Oh crap, how do you know my name?” “Because I’m supposed to be your mother–in–law!” She responded coldly. “My mother–in–law?” I gave her a bewildered face. “Yes, your mother–in–law, you nitwit!” “Okay, okay, what’s going on here? What are you talking about?” “Oh gosh, you’re just as dumb as your husband,” she said in hushed tones, shaking her head. “Who? Luke?” “Luke, of course! Of how many husbands do you have?” “Hey, I was just trying to clarify things. But for real, are you Luke’s mom?” “Yes, I am his mother, Don’t you see the likeness?” “I don’t, actually.” “What?!” “Okay, calm down. Right now, I’ve got millions of questions to ask you.” “Don’t even bother.” “If you’re Luke’s mother, where have you been? Where have you been all these years? Because if I can clearly remember, Luke told me his mother died when he was still a kid. Well, something like that.” She just glared at me and shook her head. LUKE’S POV As the baldheaded man lunged towards us, I quickly pulled, clenched my fists tightly, and took a defensive stance. Andre followed suit with his weapon, the metal pipe he carried with him. We were outnumbered and outmatched, but we were not going down without a fight. The man was known for his brutal strength; no one dared mess with him, but we were not going to back down. The fight was intense, and I could feel the pain coursing through my veins. Each of the man’s sledgehammer–like blows had the sensation of shattering every bone in my body. But I kept on fighting, determined to protect myself, Andre, and the little kid we had just seen. But as the minutes passed, it was clear that we were no match for him. He was too strong and too skilled. We were getting beaten badly, and blood was dripping from our wounds. I could see the fear in Andre’s eyes, and I knew he was thinking the same thing I was–this was the end. The both of us were on the ground, breathing heavily and slowly moving, while the baldheaded man was smirking at us. “You thought you could beat me, huh? You pathetic fools!” He mocked me and kicked me hard on the back. My eyes went to the little girl standing and watching us; her eyes were filled with fear. She looked confused, and it seemed like she had no idea what to do. But how did she even end up here in the first place? I knew I had to be strong for her right now. I also needed to find Ariel, wherever she was. She was definitely not safe, and I hoped that witch had not done anything to her. The man kept on beating the hell out of us, and just when we thought it was over, we heard a gunshot, and the baldheaded man fell to the ground. We turned around to see a woman dressed in all black, her face hidden behind a pair of shades. “Who are you?” I asked, still in shock. “Let’s just say I’m a friend,” she replied, her voice calm and collected. She walked towards us and helped us up, checking our injuries and tending to them as best as she could. I couldn’t help but feel grateful for her help. She couldn’t actually take care of our wounds, but she did the best she could. Finally, she removed her shades, revealing her striking blue eyes. I had no idea who she was, but she was really beautiful. “What are you doing here?” I asked, still trying to process how the terror from that baldheaded man just ended like that. “I’ve been tracking this guy for a while now. He’s been causing a lot of trouble in my town,” she answered. “And where do you come from?” Andre questioned her. “Tukashi. You haven’t heard of that before, I know. But right now is not the time for conversations.” She set her eyes on me forthwith. “You’re searching for your wife, right?” I nodded, and she stood up, saying, “Follow me.”