Chapter Four

Thora's POV

Scandal

I was at the kitchen counter, the drizzling of the water from the tap sending chills down my spine.

The DNA results were out. The doctor had called me to come pick it up. I still hate the fact that I'm doing this.

I hope it's not what I'm thinking.

“Avis? Honey? Time to go…”

She didn't answer, very unusual.

Hmm.

“Avis?! Where are you baby?”

What's going on?

“Avis!”

I headed to the living room and still couldn't find her.

My head turned haywire.

“Avis!! Avis!!!”

No, come out. This is a joke. I can't lose my baby girl. No, I can't.

Wait, just calm down. She's playing hide and seek with you. Nothing's happened. Calm down.

I took a deep breath and called her softly.

“Avis? Where are you?”

My voice grew sharper and louder in frustration.

“Avis!!!!”

I flung the front door open and froze.

No, it can't be. No, my baby. Avis, please, don't do this to me.

Comeback to momma…

I couldn't find her.

No!!!

I burst into tears when I found a letter laying on the doormat.

Immediately, I grabbed it and struggled to open it, my hands trembling.

“If you want her back, come alone. Dockyard Warehouse. Midnight.”

No signature, no threats, just clear implications.

Quentin!!!! You bastard!!!

I paced endlessly in the house, like my head was shattered. I don't know what to do.

Like… why this…

Quentin, I swear I'll kill you.

However, an idea popped into my head…

Later that afternoon. I sat alone, patiently waiting for the night to come.

My phone rang. It was Luke.

I didn't want to pick up the call. He had promised to take Avis to get ice cream today. Now this…

Shit!

“Hello…”

“Is she home?” He asked, his voice calm.

“No…”

I tossed the phone away and buried my face in the pillow and poured out my tears.

Finally, the annoying and long awaited night came. I stepped into the abandoned warehouse, my legs trembling with every creaking step.

No backup, no police, no like, just me.

The silly bastard stood right there in the center, he held Avis tightly on one arm. In the other, he held some documents.

“You made it. Still predictable.” He scoffed.

“Just hand her over to me. Stop playing around. What do you want?” I cried.

“Mommy…” she called, but he gagged her mouth with his filthy palm.

“Baby, it's okay.” Tears rolled down my cheek. “Just be calm. It's alright. Mommy's here now.” I assured as if I could do anything.

“I'm scared…” she mumbled in his palm.

“It’s okay baby. I'm here now.”

I comforted, my voice quivering.

I wish he'll just let me hold her. I feel faint now. I swear, I'll deal with him after this.

“Alright, let's get this over with.” He smiled.

“Hand her to me.” I warned, my breath trembling.

“Nah, not so first. You have to sign this first.”

He tossed the papers over to me.

I picked it up slowly, my eyes not letting go of the devil in the dark.

“What's this? What has come over you?”

 “You declare, legally, that Avis is mine. Sole custody. No Luke. No more court. Or you don’t get her back.”

Instead of answering me, he's busy speaking this gibberish. I'll kill him! I swear!

“You’ve lost your mind. You're insane.” I cursed.

“No. I’m a father. And you're swearing in front of the kid.”

“You’re a joke. So it has gotten to this right?”

He pushed a pen towards me and rose to his feet, still clinging on to the wincing and scared Avis. I wish he hadn't brought her into all of this, but well, what can I do, he did after all.

Silly bastard!

“Sign it, Thora. Or say goodbye to her forever.” He warned, his voice echoing across the empty space, showing how empty his big head was.

However, I don't flinch. My voice remained calm… I'm ready for him. He's just a crazy bitch. He's a fool to think I'll sign that document or I'll beg him.

Oh Quentin, please I'm sorry… I'll come back to you… blah blah blah.

He's such a funny jerk.

“You think I came here to beg?” I smiled.

I removed a small mic from inside my blouse and threw it at his feet.

“I came here to record and I've gotten just what I want. You can crush it, but it's not going to change anything.” My words were nothing but pain to him, just the same way he'd caused me so much pain over time. I slowly said them so he'd feel the impact of each one. It needs to hit his bones.

His face dropped, his hand trembling in fear. I felt his heart race, he screamed in frustration.

************************************

Earlier today, after I dropped my call with Luke the first time, I called him back and explained everything that happened and he came to my house immediately. I couldn't lie to him, it freaked me out.

“If he contacts me, I’m going. Alone.” I explained. I was determined to do anything for her.

“You can’t. It’s too risky.”

“I’m not asking permission. Just be ready.” I scoffed. He doesn't understand the pressure I'm going through right now, if only he did.

“Look at me.” He held my cheek and our gaze locked on each other.

“It's going to be alright.”

I squeezed his hands softly and took it away from my cheek and folded a spare key into it.

“Send your best guard. I’ll keep him talking. We’ll catch him in the act. I have to do it. It's our best shot.”

I must get my baby girl.

**********************************

I smiled at the scared cat fidgeting right in front of me. My mind replayed a few minutes ago, when he was exercising his power. He's such a fool. Up till now, he's still senseless.

“You just confessed to blackmail and kidnapping on tape.” I smirked and clapped for him.

“Well done, Quentin.”

“Fuck you!” He cursed and kicked his legs in the air.

Footsteps approached behind us. It was not one person, I heard another. It was dark, I didn't see who the other was.

One of Luke's guards stepped out of the shadows, his gun drawn and cocked.

“Drop the weapon. Let go of the girl.”

Fear enveloped him and he tightened his arm around her neck and brought out a gun. His expression darkened into the beast he was as he waved his gun at us and also pointed on her head.

I felt her fear, the poor girl closed her eyes in sorrow.

“No! No one should come any closer or I'll kill her and I'll kill myself after.”

“I said drop it!” The guard warned.

Now I realized he was crazy, like he's serious.

Oh no, my baby…

“If I can’t have her, no one can.”

“Quentin, please… no…”

He stretched his hand but the guard reacted.

A gunshot exploded in the air.

The concrete was covered in blood.

Avis screamed in pain as she fell in the pool of blood.

I lunged forward, struggling to move, but the dust, the pain, the panic, the silence, it all held me back.

Sirens howled in the distance. The blue and red flickering lights filled the cracks in the walls.

Quentin… you shot… my… him… her…

My world crumbled…