AGE( it is just a number)

Kidnap

                    Hazel Dakota

*
I was not frightened nor was I afraid, what I felt was beyond such mere nouns as i sat in the reception waiting for the doctor's report.
a feeling of dread crept up from the pit of my stomach and a cold shiver went down my spine .
It could have been me! I could have been the one fighting for life! I could have been the one in a critical condition but my baby miraculously saved me.
A sharp pang of guilt shot through me as I beat myself up in grief
My stubbornness! see what it resulted into !arrgh! how I wish I had listened to Hardin! how I wish I never pleaded on "the snake" behalf!
I wiped off my tears and shifted my attention to Hardin who was pacing up and down the reception restlessly , sweating profusely despite the air conditioning and his white sleeveless shirt  clung so tightly to his body  exposing a little bit  of his tattoos.
      he was clearly nervous.
Heaving a deep sigh, I got up from the leather seat and walked up to him
" Hardin!"I called softly as he turned sideways to face me
his eye contact was intense, his jaw clenched,
his brows furrowed..... dang it! he was angry.
"you satisfied now?" He rasped and I took a step backward in shock
Did he just put the blame on me?
"Can you see what your stubbornness resulted into? Rebecca is badly hurt and no one knows what will become of her". he vented his anger on me and I swallowed hard , staring at the angry veins standing on his neck
"how could you defend  Nina.the bitch tried to poison you and almost succeeded .........jeez! I nearly lost you ,I nearly lost the tiny child growing in you".
"That won't happen". I shook my head. "That will never happen"
"Sure, it will never happen". he agreed and began hitting fist on the wall.
  I moved closer, trying to stop him
"No baby! you can't do this here"
"F**k off!" he barked and I wrapped my hands around him in a back hug
"No Hardin! Please stop it". I pleaded and broke down in tears .
That did the trick , he stopped abruptly and exhaling deeply , turning around to face me.
"Your tears, I don't wanna see it" .
  I nodded sheepishly , struggling through an hiccup as I wiped off  the tears.
He stood there watching me silently and then ran a hand through his hair.
"You with a phone?" he asked calmly
"Yes".
"Good! Let me have it". he stretched out his hands
quickly, I reached into my gown pocket and handed the phone to him
He typed in a number and dialled it , placing the phone on his ear
"hi dad!" I heard him say and I leaned against the wall , watching him silently as he screamed into the phone .
   
                          Hardin Castillo
   
   I held the phone to my ear and listened to my dad as he explained to me about Anne critical's condition .
     "So". I scoffed silently. "why are you telling me all this?"
    He sighed. "I thought you might be interested in seeing her "
   "Me! Interested! and why would I? the bitch can die for all I care" . I screamed into the phone, not minding the awkward stares on me.
   "Fine!fine! I know how much you despise her, but you should listen to her confessions, it will be shown on the news by 22:00pm"
   "News". I repeated . "Has the story gone all viral?"
  " Of course it has". he chuckled lightly. "the reporters are interviewing  both she and her sister at the moment and believe me when I say there is no escape for them.
   I exhaled deeply. Is this a good idea? I really don't know.
   He continued. "Rebecca, any news about her?"
   "No". I answered dryly
  "Alright Son, Just keep me updated. And one more thing, don't  be too hard on Hazel , it is more of your fault than hers".he advised and yes , he was right .
   I was the one who brought the bitch into our lives .
    "Okay!" I simply said and ended the phone call.
  "What did he say? Did Anne confess? Is she already behind bars?" Hazel asked in a rush and I handed the phone back to her.
   "She is in the prison infirmary".
   "Infirmary". she shot me a confused look. "Did she get injured?"
    "No, she had a miscarriage". I corrected
    "Miscarriage". her eyes lit up . "Are ...you ...trying ....to say there is no baby is her womb?"
"Yes, that is what I mean". I smiled lightly.
Just then , the door to the emergency flew opened and the doctor came out , sweating
    "The doctor is out". I told Hazel and rushed to him.
   "Doctor, how is she? Is she alright?"
He mopped the sweat off his face , looking at me , Hazel and then back at me
    "Is it just two of you here?"
    "Yes, any problem with that ?"I asked , searching his gaze for any hint but didn't find any
  "There is no problem Hardin, I just need to talk to an adult"
   "I am an adult". I insisted and he laughed softly
  "By adult, I mean a mature one ,not a teenager".
   What an insult!
  I opened my mouth, about to blast the hell out of him but Hazel was quick to interfere
  "You can talk to me sir , I am mature enough"
The doctor laughed, "Are you kidding me?"
  "No I am not , I am 21".she snapped at him
  "21! Is this suppose to be a joke? I mean you are Hardin's girlfriend right?
  "Yes she is , Can you now tell us what is going on?" I barked at him .
  He tilted his head a little and adjusted his glasses
  "Erm actually the girl is stable now , but has  lot of complications"
    "Oh God!" I exclaimed softly .
   He continued. "her internal organs were severely damaged , her uterine ruptured and I am afraid to say that she will  never get the chance to......."he paused , staring intently at me.
  "Get the chance to what". I yelled, breathing hard
   "To have a baby of her own". he completed and my heart skipped a bit
Barren! oh no! this isn't good!
    "No doctor it can't be". Hazel panicked . "Is there no other way out?"  she clung to me tightly and the doctor sighed softly, shaking his head
  "I am sorry but I tried my possible best"
   "This is bullshit! You mean to say the kid in there became barren all of a sudden?" I retorted in huff , I couldn't bring myself to accept the trash
   "It happens like that , you both need to be strong for her".The doctor patted my shoulder gently and i sighed in frustration
  "Can we go see her?"
   "No, I still need to perform a major surgery on her and she needs to rest". he explained and that was the exact moment my mum rushed in
   "Doctor!"she called , panting heavily and the doctor walked past us to her.
      Amazing!
   "Hardin!" Hazel called and I shifted my gaze to her
   "What will become of her?" She asked referring to Rebecca
   "I don't know". I answered truthfully and shifted my attention back to my mother.
    She was talking in whispers to the doctor and when her gaze met mine , she nodded signalling me to go home
   "Alright!" I mouthed at her and faced Hazel
  "Let's go home"
   "Home! Why? who will stay with  Rebecca?"
  "My mum". I took her hand into mine and we both walked out of the hospital to the car lot ....
  
  The night was far spent and the streets were deserted
    I glanced at my wristwatch, it was 12:00am on the dot
  Phew! I never knew we stayed this long!
   Opening the car door, I got  in closing the door behind me and Hazel did the same at her own end
   " I am freezing". She hugged her  arm around her body.
  I over backward to get a sweatshirt from the back seat and when I did , I handed it  to her
    "You should put this on"
   "No, I want to feel your warmth around me". She tossed the sweat shirt back at me and I scoffed
   "And how do you intend on doing that!
  "simple".She moved closer and rested her head on my shoulder.
  "you comfortable that way?" I glanced at her and she nodded, clutching to my clothes tightly
     Unbelievable!
I started the ignition and drove out of the hospital, heading home.

   Finally! after a long drive, we got to the mansion and I honked the car horn , the security man opened the gate
    I drove into compound and  parked out roughly
   I was feeling dazed and tired!
   "Hazel we are home". I said softly and her eyes fluttered opened.
   Just so you should know , she fell asleep on our way home and being a loving boyfriend , I chose to let her be
   "Alright". she straightened up and stretched her arm without making a move to alight
    "We are home". I repeated and she nodded slowly
  "I know , I am just too weak to walk"
    Without a word ,  I alighted from the car  , went over to her own end , opened the door and lifted her  up in my arm in a bridal style.
  "Close the door". I instructed the security man and walked into the house.
   The house was so f**king  quiet and there was nobody inside it ...... well! except Hazel and I
    I climbed up the stairs to my room and walked in just in time to hear my phone ring.
   Gently, I placed Hazel on the bed and sat down , reaching for my phone.
     I checked out the caller and noticed it was Steve.
    Why is he calling? I received it .
  "Hi man". he greeted first. "What is wrong?Where did you keep your phone? I have been trying to reach you , you alright?"
   "Yes , I was just busy with some stuffs"
" oh! I thought as much, anyways i called to check on you after watching the news".
   "The news!"I muttered and recall my dad saying something about that.
  Damn it! I completely forgot
" I am glad you are alright". he continued. "You coming to school today right?"
"School". I repeated in surprise
  "Yes man, Beacon hills reopens today"
"Oh! If that is the case , I will be in school". I agreed
  "Alright, Good night". he bade  and I ended the call
  I removed the phone from my ear and scrolled through to see 24 missed calls
     4 from my dad , 2 from Richard, 6 from Steve and 12 from Kim.
   Oh Kim! I promised to Skype her ,but all thanks to my jealous girlfriend, I failed to keep the promise
   Speaking of which , I shifted my gaze to her and saw her staring at me.
    Seriously! I thought she was already asleep!!
  " you going to school tomorrow?"
  "Today".I corrected and laid on the bed , pulling up the covers .
  "Oh!" she cuddled up close to me and I wrapped my hands around her
   "Good night baby" I bade and soon drifted off to sleep
 
                              Mike Peterson
 
   The hotel room was little but it has a large window looking out onto the gardens and  I spend most of my day staring out of the window as i ponder on the question on what next to do .
    I  was eaten up in rage , I wanted my revenge to be deadly , I wanted Jayden to Perish in pain .
   
   After taking my bath, I returned to the room and joined Noah who was  seated on the bed , eating
  I scoffed, really!eating for the umpteenth time today ,he should be nickname foodie !
   "Aren't you gonna take your bath?" I asked and dusted the covers and laid on the bed
  "I will". he simply answered , his gaze fixed on the food,munching it as if his life depended on it .
   Gluttonous pig!
I reached for the remote and switched on the television and the headline of the news caught my attention
    " Trouble in the Castillo's mansion as maid lands in hospital"
Hospital! they are sure in for a lot of trouble!
  I sat up in a huff and increased the volume as I watched and listened to the news with keen interest , but to my dismay, not much was said , the details was not even given ......
    "Damn it!This is bull shit!" I retorted in anger and Noah sighed
" Is this still about Jayden?"
"Of course it is. that kid humiliated me, turned me into a fugitive and I need to destroy him "
"Then I think this is the best time for your revenge". he suggested. "I mean they wouldn't even expect it". he added and yes , he was right.
     The Castillo would be busy  their problems thereby letting their guards down.
  Perfect! but how will I get Hardin's this time around without him alerting that annoying father of his
    I tilted my head to the left and racked my brain for an idea and a good one came up
     I smiled inwardly
"Noah". I called . "Get ready we are gonna end everything tomorrow"
"Tomorrow, and how are you ....."
   "Hazel". I cut in . "I am gonna make use of her and her little sister.....Alexia .......

Alexia Dakota

   The sound of the alarm clock disrupted my sleep
  hissing , I let it ring without making a move to get off the bed
   It soon stopped ringing and then continued again
  Jeez! Can't I sleep in peace!
  Stretching, I sat up in the bed and glanced at the huge wall clock
   holy moly!8:10! I am running late to school, no I am already late!
   I jolted up from the bed and rushed into the bathroom
   The bathtub was spacious and alluring that I spend hours bathing but that won't be possible today .
   I took a quick bath and returned to the room . I went over to the wardrobe, opened it to search for something comfy and  soon found one
    It was a short green gown with flare edges
    I hurriedly changed into it , put on a white sneakers , comb out my Long hair and arranged my books into my backpack and slung it across my shoulder; then I pick up my phone and dashed out of the room , climbing down the stairs into the sitting room and met my mum setting the table for breakfast
    "Good morning mum!" I greeted  and she spun around to look at me
  "Morning baby". She smiled lightly . "how was your night?"
   "It was fine ma!" I answered
   "Good! then come sit let's have breakfast"
  "No mum, I will pass". I stated
   "but why". She frowned. "You have been skipping breakfast for the past two days and I don't like it"
   I sighed softly. "I know mum , but you gotta understand me , I am gonna be late to school"
     She stared at me for seconds and then nodded slowly
    "You still have money??"
    "No". I held my breathe.
  I was expecting her to scold at me for being a spendthrift but to my surprise she didn't , instead she picked up her purse from the table, opened it and handed me a $100 note
     I let out my breathe and stared down at the money in surprise
$100 again! Amazing!
  "That is your allowance for two days".
I smiled mischievously .She said the same thing yesterday
   "Alright mum". I moved closer to peck her cheeks and ran out of the house  to the taxi station.
 
  I soon got to the station, but there was no available taxi.
   "Damn it". I cursed silently and sat down on the waiting bench .
   Worst still , I was the only one waiting.
  Just then , a car came into view and I sighed in relief, standing up as I flagged it down .......but wait a minute! It was a private car ,not a taxi
   "Arrrgh!"I bit at my lower lips in frustration and looked away , but when the car got nearer, it pulled up in front of me .
      Is it a taxi? I thought within
  "Get in girl!"the driver wind down the car window and I gasped audibly in shock at who I saw .... Mike !!!
      he wasn't even alone , there was a fat pig beside him
     I became alarmed and took two step backward , adjusting my back pack as I made to run  but  the fat man quickly got out of car , rushed to me with larger steps and caught me by my hand .
  "Let me go! let me go!" I screamed and kicked ,trying to wriggle out of his grip and the next thing that followed was the cocking sound of a gun.
    I swallowed hard and stared at the black gun in his hands
  "Follow me quietly or I will shoot". he threatened and I nodded sheepishly
   "Good girl!" he remarked and led me back to the car , opened the rear door and pushed me in roughly
   I hadn't noticed the goosebumps creeping until now
  I could feel the flight responses kicking in, increasing my heart rate , I was so damn scared
  "Hello Alexia"! Mike greeted .
   I raised my head to see him staring at me
  "Mike!" I called but my voice came out in whispers
    He chuckled. "Don't be scared Alexia, I won't hurt you". he leaned backward to wipe my tears
  "what do you want?"
   "Simple! do you have a phone?"he asked
    "Yes". I nodded slowly.
   "Good! I want you send a text message to your  sister telling her to meet you in front of your school"
   My sister! Hazel! Oh no! Does he want to kill her?
  "No way! I can't do that". I barked at him
  "Really". he smirked. "then get ready for a blood bath . I am gonna kill your mum  and every single person related to you". he threatened and my heart skipped in fear
  "Please don't kill my mum". I begged, tears welling in my eyes
  "Then do as I instructed you to do , message Hazel"
  Panicking, I brought my phone out of my gown pocket , unlocked it and scrolled through, looking for Hazel's name and when I saw it , I clicked on it
    I exhaled deeply, the man in front of me is a beast , I need to warn Hazel and I am gonna do it through the message.....
" HAZEL! WE HAVING A FUN PARTY IN MY SCHOOL AND I NEED YOU TO BE HERE ASAP, IT IS GOING TO BE A KILLER PARTY, COME PREPARED WITH GIFTS"
   "I am done". I announced , holding up my phone to him
   he titled his head sideways as he read through it and I held my breathe, praying he won't get the hint
  "Wow! Wow! I love this! you even added a party , good work Alexia". he praised and I smiled inwardly, letting out my breathe
  "Can I send it?" I asked hoping he would say yes and he did
  I clicked on the message and sent it .
Almost immediately, He grabbed the phone from me and kept it in his breast pocket
  "I will give it back when everything is settled"
  With that , he started the car and drove off to only God's knows where.
   I leaned in the seat and prayed for a miracle
    Hazel! Please get the hidden message.
 
                                 Hazel Dakota
 
I opened my eyes and looked around to see Hardin standing in front of the huge mirror
   He was already dressed and was looking cute as usual.
    I smiled lightly, i caught him today.
  Stretching, I sat up in the the bed yawning and only then did he look at me
    "Good morning!" he greeted first
     "Morning". I responded. "how was your night?" I rubbed the sleep crust off my eyes
  "Fine!" he picking up  his backpack and slung it across his shoulder.
   "and Yours?"
   "Twas fine". I answered and got off the bed to receive his kiss.
    "Alright baby. I am already running late , see you in the evening". he bade and kissed me again before walking out of the room .
      I sighed softly , I was already missing him!
Lazily , I went over to the bathroom to freshen up and when done , I returned to the room with a towel wrapped around me and  sat down on the bed .
    I reached for my phone and scrolling through it , a text message came in
    I clicked on it and noticed it was Alexia
"Hazel! we are having a fun party in my school and I need you to be here ASAP, it is going to be a killer party, come prepared with gifts"
  Oh God! A killer party! It is so gonna be fun!
quickly, I got off the bed and rushed out of Hardin's room to my room .
Entering, I went over to the wardrobe and pulled out a beautiful black gown .
       This will be perfect!
  I towelled up and hurriedly dressed change into it ; I put on a low white sandal , picked up my phone, grabbed a white handbag and rushed out of the room , climbing down the stairs into the sitting room and bumped into Hardin's father.....
    "I am sorry sir". I quickly apologised and he smiled weakly
    he was clearly tired as his work was taking a toll on him!
  "It is alright child". he brushed it aside . "where are you going ?"He seized me up and down
   "Erm ... actually ... I am going to take a stroll". I lied
   "and you dressed like this? he retorted, staring at me intently and I chuckled nervously
  "I just want to have some fun"
he was quiet for a while and then asked
"Is Hardin aware of this?"
  "Not yet , but I will call him".
  "Alright then, have fun strolling". he drawled, it was obvious he didn't believe me....well!that is his headache, I am tired of staying home all alone.
   Without wasting time, I scurried out of the house to the taxi station .
 
  Getting to the station, I flagged down a taxi and hopped into it
    "Golden middle school!" I called and the driver nodded , driving off .
I leaned in the seat and reached for my phone to dial Hardin's number
        he picked it on the second ring
   "Hey, my first class is about to start , let's talk later". he said and ended the phone call
   Oh right! he doesn't even have my time!
I clicked on Alexia number and dialled it , but it rang  until her voice mail picked it up
Impossible! If she knows she won't pick , why  then did invite me to her school party ?or is she trying to prank me ?
   I scrolled down and I clicked on the message and read it again
  "Killer party!  ASAP! Come prepared with gifts!
  See!!she invited me to a party , this is no prank .... well! I didn't come with gifts......
"We are here". The driver  interrupted my thoughts.
  I looked out of the window and saw the path leading down to her school .
   I nodded in satisfaction and Paid him and alighted , and before I could say Jack sparrow, a fat man came out from no where holding a gun.
   I became alarmed, what is going on here ?
  "Hi pregnant lady!" he smiled and I froze on the spot
  This man! I have seen him before! South Tacoma, he was with ——-Mike .
   "Oh God!" I panicked as the realisation hit me
    I am about to be kidnap!
  A surge of adrenaline rush through me and I made for the busy streets, but it was of no use. The man easily caught up with me and dragged me by my hair like an animal
   "Let me go! Let me go!" I screamed and bit his hands .
  "Shit". he grunted and gave me a thunderous slap
   "Arrrgh! I winced in pain and tried struggling out of his grip
  "You bitch!" he cursed and pressed a cloth to my nose
    "No! No! No!" I screamed loudly , inhaling the toxic stuff . My vision became blurred in an instant, my legs weak , my breathing faint and I soon black out .......
*
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TBC