CHRISTOPHER DROVE FOR hours and finally reached where they’re keeping Fatima. He opened the small compartment in his car and grabbed the gun he kept there for emergency purposes. He took a deep breath before he got out of his car and followed some men inside as he sneaked in. What’s strange is there’s a lot of people here, are they in on it too, or are they just here because they’re just stopping by?
He looked at the building and saw that it’s just a mere hotel. Is this just so they can lay low and keep Fatima from the public? Either way, he needs to find her fast. He looked around the place and noticed a suspicious guy walking to the elevator. He stared at him for a moment and watched the elevator close. He looked at which floor he’s going to and he immediately ran to find the stairs of the hotel to catch him there.
Once he found the stairs, he started running up as fast as he could. He soon reached the second floor and he was running out of breath. He ran more steps as his feet began to get tired. He reached the third floor and he still needs to run even more steps to reach the sixth floor of the hotel.
“Fuck,” he whispered under his breath as he have a hard time breathing. He grew more tired as he ran up more stairs. Once he reached the sixth floor, he felt like passing out. He caught his breath and looked around the floor as he saw the man again, walking to the other side of the floor. He slowly followed behind the man and tried not to act suspiciously. He hid behind people to blend in.
He saw the man opening a door. As the door unlocked he ran behind the man and pushed him inside. They both went inside the room and he closed the door behind them. He locked the door and as he looked at the man who fell on the ground, he pointed the gun at him. “Don’t move,” he commanded and as he looked around the room, he found Fatima tied up to a chair with her mouth covered up and she’s knocked out cold.
He bent down and knocked the man cold and he pushed him to the side. He breathed heavily, calming himself down. He walked to the end of the room and approached Fatima. He kneeled down and held her cheek. “Fatima..?” he uttered and she didn’t move. He checked her breathing and luckily, her breathing was fine. “Fatima...” he called out once more and tapped her cheeks lightly as he caressed her hand.
She slowly opened her eyes and saw Christopher in front of her. Her eyes widened. “C..hr..s” she tried speaking but the tape around her mouth was preventing her. Christopher held the edge of the tape and pulled it lightly. It took him a few seconds to peel it off completely without hurting her too much. “Hey, you’re fine now,” he reassured her and she burst into tears.
“Chris...” she uttered slowly.
He untied her hands and feet and freed her from her seat. She stood up and he stood up as well and hugged her as he held her head. “My m-mother...” The door of the room burst open even though it was locked. Someone broke it off. The two looked at the door and he immediately pulled her behind him and drew his gun at the door.
“Well, well,” the woman said with a smirk as her gun was pointed at him as well.
His eyebrows furrowed as she looked at them with a smile, a terrifying smile filled with terror. “What..?” Chris uttered and Fatima held onto his arm.
“Surprised?” she asked and tilted her head to the side.
“Not much, I knew you were up to something,” he said as his gun was still pointed at her and her gun pointed at him. “Fatima, darling. I told you not to cause any trouble when I’m gone,” she said sweetly with a smile. Fatima looked at her with disgust. She can’t believe she once considered that woman as her mother once.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“My daughter, of course. I’ll let you live if you give her to me,” she bargained and he scoffed and shook his head.
“Not a chance,” he said.
“Let us go, I’ll give you the money you need,” he tried bargaining but she herself shook her head.
“I can’t, I love ruining lives,” she confidently said and the two were sickened. Christopher held Fatima’s hand and they slowly walked towards her mother that was blocking their only way out. “Get out of the way,” he said.
“Or what?” she provoked and his jaw clenched. She pointed the gun to the side and fired it but she avoided hitting the two. Fatima flinched but Chris stood his ground. The people outside the room started to panic because of the gunshot. “You think you’re the hero, Christopher? Just because you came to her rescue?” she asked with her eyebrow raised and his jaw clenched.
“Do you think your sins would be cleansed just because you saved her, Christopher?” she provoked even more and his eyebrows furrowed. “Remember, Christopher. What you did six years ago cannot be undone,” she uttered softly with a smile and Fatima became confused.
“Shut up,” he told Fatima’s mother.
“What is she talking about?” Fatima asked and Christopher shook his head.
“It’s nothing-“ he got cut off.
“Why don’t you tell her, Christopher?” she urged as she pointed the gun at Fatima but Christopher went in the way, making the gun pointed at him. Her mother smiled and she grew even more confused and curious. “Tell me what?” he questioned.
“Now’s not the time,” Chris said and Fatima’s mother laughed loudly.
“Tell her what you did, Christopher,” she taunted and he closed his eyes and opened them with fury. He moved his hand a little and fired the gun, almost hitting her. “Chris!” Fatima screamed.
“I guess you’re not going to talk, huh? I can tell the story if you want,” she further taunted him, trying to make his mind go insane. She knows she cornered him and he can’t escape. Perfect opportunity for her to tell the story.
“SHUT UP, SHUT UP!” he screamed and she laughed like a maniac.
“Your father died in the accident, but you have no idea who hit you, right?” she slowly uttered with a smile and Fatima’s eyes squinted.
“You woke up in the hospital with no idea as to what happened! Guess what? I do and so does he!” she said with her eyes filled with excitement. “What is she talking about, Chris?” Fatima tried asking him again and he stayed silent.
“I know what happened, aren’t you curious, darling?”
“Don’t listen to her,” Christopher whispered.
“Why? You don’t want her to know the truth? Afraid to go to prison?” she keeps provoking him.
“If I’m going to prison, I’m taking you with me,” he said and she smiled.
“No, thanks. I like being free,” she said and they were interrupted when another woman in a mask entered the room and pulled her. “Let’s go, the police is here!”
“How can we? Someone’s taking my daughter away,” she said calmly and the woman looked at Christopher and Fatima. She blinked a couple of times before grabbing something inside a bag and throwing it at them. Realizing it was a bomb, the two rushed to the door and went past the two women as they also ran out before the bomb exploded.
Chris and Fatima ran to the right while the other two ran to the left. “Stop!” Her mother screamed and they heard the gun go off. They both stopped and looked back. They froze in place, trying not to provoke her so they wouldn't get shot. “Let us go!” Fatima begged.
“Come with me if you want him to live!” Her mother commanded and Christopher shook his head and held her hand. Fatima’s jaw clenched and she removed his grasp. “How can I be reassured?”
“I keep my promises.”
“Fatima, no,” Chris begged.
Fatima walked slowly towards her mother. Her mother smiled as she waited for her to come to her. Fatima walked with fear in her eyes but tried keeping her composure. She breathed heavily and as she looked back at Christopher, the world seemed to slow down. She can feel every sense as the world turns slowly. Her head feels light-headed as her feet keep walking forward even if she doesn’t want to walk forward. “That’s it, darling,” her mother said with a smirk while her gun was pointed at Christopher who couldn't do anything but watch. His jaw clenched. He’s defenseless, not able to do anything to help.
Halfway to her mother, she heard voices behind. “FREEZE!'' She looked behind her and saw the police standing behind Christopher. She felt like passing out from the relief as she looked at her mother who’s smile fell. “Let’s just go!'' The other woman screamed and her mother’s face turned maniac as she pointed the gun at Fatima and fired it without hesitation.
Fatima couldn’t comprehend what was happening and the bullet pierced her skin. Her eyes widened but from the shock, she couldn’t feel the pain of the bullet piercing her near her shoulder, close to her heart. She slowly fell to the ground as if everything was slowed down. “Fatima!” she heard someone scream before she passed out.