3. Attempt At Escape

"I ran for freedom, but he caught me in the dark."

-

Rebecca cried out as the tape left her lips as a painful peel. It was like they were on fire. Diego was standing tall before her now, serpentine green eyes glaring at her. Rebecca wasn't sure she'd seen a real human being with green eyes before. "Your turn," he said.

As much as she had wanted to scream out, she managed in a soft whisper, "four days? It's been four days?"

"Yes, love. Four days and counting," Diego said  with that arrogant smug on his face again. "Now, I take it that we're on board with my little lecture?"

Someone pounced on the door, well it seemed it was his attempt for a knock. They both turned to face the door. Then a man entered, "Sir, Marco is back with news. I just hope he came alone and hadn't been followed. He's badly hurt and has been taken in--"

Diego gave what Rebecca picked like a signal and the man shut up immediately, gave a low bow and went out. Rebecca wondered how much had been true. Of course she was in a dangerous zone and knew just how, well, dangerous it could be around here. She swallowed, "who-what's going on?"

"Nothing, love. Stay put, unless you want me to put this tape back on." He said, calmly. It was even more annoying as he spoke to her like she was really a poor stupid deer.

"Wait!" She yelled out. Lucky for her, Diego stopped. When he turned, thick brows furrowed as he glanced at her. "I..." Rebecca swallowed. She knew she had to be smart now.  "I'm ready to cooperate. I swear! I just...I don't want to die."

She hoped whatever expression on her face resembled fear, it should be enough to gain his pity. Diego Gonzalez showing pity? She smiled bitterly and shook her head. "You know what? Just leave me alone."

When her eyes met with his again, for a split second, it seemed like her plan had work after all. Diego winced, almost like he didn't want her to die. "All you have to do is stay put, love, and you might just be fine." He turned and left.

Rebecca could not just sit and wait till...till she was killed? He called her "love" but it was probably because he would enjoy punishing her for whatever crimes her father had done.

No, he was lying. Her father would never...! What would he be doing with a Gonzalez!

Muffled conversations was heard from outside. She realized the door hadn't been shut tight. Rebecca jumped to her feet, limping towards the door. It opened with a slight push. The passage way was clear. Before she left, there was an umbrella with a pointy handle Rebecca had taken. Pointy enough to jab at someone's throat.

With one careful step after the other, she was down in the wide living room, this time with no one around. The Gonzalez man was probably dealing with a crises which gives her perfect time to bolt. She managed to dodge two guards until she arrived at the entrance, then ran with all of her strength.

Suddenly, a voice roared. "Hey, stop right there!" The cocking of a gun was what made her nearly jump out of her skin, but Rebecca was not going to stop now.

Her breath quickened as she continued to run. Heavy footsteps followed from behind. Outside, she located two entrances but lit up with an exhilarating excitement when she found an elevator. That would just lead her...outside! Then she could run to the police, run anywhere.

Something jabbed at her barefeet, maybe stone? It didn't stop her though.

"Stop right there!"

She did not listen. Her thumb stabbed the elevator button until it dinged, and then...it opened. When it shut back, Rebecca crashed to the ground, thanking her star. All the pain came rushing back, from her stomach to her feet. She made sure it was the last floor she was heading to.

It finally opened and it was a nice wide building she found herself in. It was like a company with people moving around. Eyes paused to stare at her. She was barefooted, dressed in a plain gown and maybe still bleeding. Tears welled her eyes as she tried to locate the way out.

"Miss...are you okay?" A lady stopped by her side to ask. Her eyes held concerns that made Rebecca's eyes teary again.

Before she opened her mouth to speak, a voice said from behind. "Oh she's fine, she's one of my maids. New one. She must have been startled, that's all."

Diego was right behind her. She could never miss that voice. He appeared right beside her. Rebecca's lips opened to speak but a poke at her side stopped her. Diego had pointed a gun to her stomach. He turned to smile at her. "Isn't that right, maid?"

More tears streamed down her eyes. "Please, I just--"

Diego pulled her closer, reminding her he still had the gun close to her. The lady gave an awkward stare and left. Rebecca felt a stabbing pain in her chest. What could she do now? She'd never heard any Gonzalez arrested before. The whole city worships the mafia clans and even fears them.

A short man came alone with two heft men behind. He observed, watching carefully. He didn't say anything but made it obvious he was looking.

Diego had this worried look in his eyes. "See what you've caused? You've exposed us. Just get back up before you get us both killed!"

Rebecca was still muttering curses inside. How could he have found her! "If you had just let me leave in the first place--"

"Let you leave? When will it dawn on you that you're one of my maids now, nothing but a prisoner. And if you don't cooperate..." He shook his head, "tsk tsk tsk. Your father is dead, but at least won't you want to ever find your mother again?" His voice was in that chilly low tone again.

Rebecca's heart skipped at bit at the mention of her mother. "No, she died when she had me."

Diego smiled, his mouth opened to speak but he suddenly made an attempt like he wanted to hug her, before Rebecca could dare to struggle free from his embrace, a painful groan escaped from him.

He tapped his ear, "I've been shot. Cover us, get her up safely!"

Some men were running towards them now. It slowly began to make sense to Rebecca now.

This mad lunatic kidnapper had just taken a bullet for her??