Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 45

November 30th, 2019

*Neo*

"Nobody moves or she gets a bullet through the skull," I tightened my grip on Mia. 

Ben's midsection was indeed bleeding, but he also had a boy in his grip. It was one of the youngest Adams brothers, eliciting a gasp from everyone else. The kid had to have been only fourteen, with dark hair and dried blood around his nose and mouth. His hands were bound behind his back and his eyes immediately darkened as he was yanked forward.

"Look who I caught sneaking around," Ben said gleefully.

"Colton," Cato looked both sad and furious at the same time.

"You, boy, wake her up," Ben growled at me, gesturing to Mia.

"She's unconscious," I said slowly, but he narrowed his eyes.

"Wake her up. Now!" I glared at him but shifted my attention to Mia, shaking her gently.

"Mia," I said softly. She didn't stir. "She's not going to wake up. She's sick and she needs help," Ben aimed the gun again, giving me a look. I grit my teeth and shook her again but still, nothing happened. I laid her down on the ground and elevated her legs slightly, fully aware of every boy watching my every move. I shook her again but this time she coughed and opened her eyes feebly.

"Neo," she mumbled. She glanced around, her body tensing when she saw Ben at his gun pointing right at her. Her eyes shifted to the Adams brothers and she quickly looked away, locking eyes with Colton. "Let him go, Papa," she demanded weakly. He just chuckled.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," he addressed us. "Either she comes with me without interference... or he dies," Mia pushed herself up, and I hugged her instantly.

"Don't even think about it," I whispered to her harshly. She but her lip but remained in her spot. Ben now aimed the gun at Colton, pressing it right against his head. The kid's eyes suddenly filled with fear as he struggled.

"I suggest you think very carefully, Amelia. Or the boy gets a bullet," Ben threatened. She stepped forward but I held her back.

"Mia, don't do this," I begged.

"Neo, let go," she ordered. I accidentally loosened my grip in surprise and she rushed forwards, hands out and trembling. "Papa, let him go. I will go with you and do whatever you want, just let him go," Ben nodded slowly and released the kid, who scrambled away. Ben took hold of Mia, tightly gripping her arm. He held the gun to her head, stepping back.

"No one move, no one chases her. She is leaving and never coming back," He yanked her back, making her stumble and cough. "And you, you worthless whore, you'll never see the light of day again," Tears welled up in her eyes and she coughed weakly. I could see her knees buckling and her whole body was shaking. Mia didn't even struggle against the gun on her head, she just stood there stiffly.

"Actually, I have a better idea," Ben said giddily. "The little ones, get them down here," he told Cato.

"No way," Cato said angrily. Ben nudged the gun against Mia and Cato grit his teeth before taking out his cellphone.

"Eli," he muttered. "I need you to get the boys and meet me by the abandoned warehouse lot," He raised his eyebrows at Ben. "You want Javi too?" Mia finally cried out but Ben kicked her and she quickly shut up.

"Yes," Cato sighed.

"Yeah, Eli, Javi too. Don't ask questions, just... just get here, alright? No weapons, no fighting, just get down here," He hung up, looking defeated.

We waited there in the snow and cold until finally, a car pulled up. Eli quickly climbed out of the car, taking Javi's hand tightly as the two triplets came out as well. Confusion was written all over their faces, masking their fear.

"Cato, what's going on?" Eli asked, looking between everyone.

"Okay, they're here," Cato said angrily. "Now what?"

"Get inside," Ben demanded, opening the door to another warehouse. We filed inside, none of us able to utter a single word. Ben walked in behind us before releasing Mia, who fell to the floor. The door was then bolted shut and dim fluorescent lights flickered on.

I stood there weakly, feeling lightheaded and extremely dizzy. Felix made his way to me, hooking an arm around my waist to help keep me on my feet. Everyone else looked like they felt just as sick but they were too focused on Mia, who was lying helplessly on the floor.

"Don't hurt her!" Javi cried out, burying his face in Eli's side.

"What do you want from us?" Xander demanded, standing protectively around his siblings.

Ben only chuckled. "I don't want anything from you," he said casually. "You're just here to watch the show," He dragged Mia upright by grabbing a fistful of her hair, and she made a pained expression as she was pulled to her feet. Ben pointed the gun to her head again, ignoring her trembling.

"We brought the money," Cato argued desperately. "Felix, you can have the territory, I don't fucking care, just let go of my sister,"

"Felix has nothing to do with this anymore," Ben cut in. "They did their part already, I got what I wanted,"

"I thought you wanted the money," Alan snapped, his fists clenched at his sides. If it weren't for the gun he had levelled at her head, we'd all be trying to get her free.

Ben shrugged. "Plans change," he said. "I've got something much more valuable," Mia wasn't even struggling or making any sort of cry for help. If anything, she just looked ashamed.

Ben nudged the gun again. "You," he indicated towards Des. "Grab that," He gestured to a pile of rope by the door, and Des bitterly went and retrieved it. "Tie them to those," He pointed to the rusted steel pillars near where we were standing.

"You can't make us," Eli argued darkly, as most of us were gearing to fight. Ben simply nudged the gun again, his finger resting dangerously close to the trigger. A bitter silence flooded the warehouse as we realised we would have to do what he said.

Des began tying three to a pillar, the thick rope binding everyone solidly with little ability to move. Once he'd tied Felix and me with the others, Ben finally released Mia, who fell to the floor, coughing. He pointed the gun at Des, who quickly put his hands up. Ben tied him with Felix and me, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"Papa, please," Mia begged weakly. "Don't hurt them,"

Ben just chuckled, crouching down beside her. "Oh, my sweet little Amelia, you're so naive. I have a whole show planned, you'll see," I watched a sly grin slither across his lips as he pocketed his gun.

A horrible feeling lodged in my stomach, making me want to vomit more than I already did. I had a faint idea of what he was about to do, and though all eleven of us were vigorously fighting against the ropes, it was looking pretty hopeless for us all.