Chapter Text
Eight years later…
“What is it, kiddo? Why aren’t you asleep?”
“Uncle Troy… There’s a monster lurking in the wardrobe…”
“A monster? Really?”
Slowly, I make my way to the suspicious piece of furniture, hesitate a second, then determinedly open the door… And take in a sharp breath.
A distraught voice. “What is it??”
“You were right…” I reply numbly. “There is a monster in here…” Bending down, I pick something up, then turn around and sit down on the edge of the bed. I open my palm, revealing a piece of fluff. “A dust monster…” I hiss ominously. “And its sole purpose in life is to… tickle your nose!”
The reserved child’s voice breaks into a merry giggling as the kid tries to fight off the dust monster.
Eventually, the room grows quiet again and the dark thoughts seem to have been washed away.
“See, there is nothing to be afraid of,” I nod encouragingly. “Now go back to sleep.”
I’m just about to get up, when all of a sudden, I feel a tight grip around my arm, face pressing against my shoulder.
“Okay, okay,” I whisper, sitting back down. Or not so washed away… “Everything’s okay…”
The real monsters aren’t lurking in wardrobes.
The real monsters are lurking in the desert – and they’re holding a gun to a child’s temple.
“Please, I’m begging you…” Nick starts pleading next to me. “Let the kid go… Take me instead! I swear to God, I’ll do anything you ask of me…”
My heart involuntarily wrenches as he says this – even though my brain is rooting for that bastard to accept. I don’t want to lose Nick. I couldn’t bear to see Nick hurt. But I know Nick is strong, he could defend himself, he could get through this… A thousand times better than an innocent, helpless, horrified child whose only fault had been to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
The gang leader looks back at us, eyes glistening. “But why would I do that? As far as I can see, I already have your biggest treasure in my hands, the most valuable bargaining chip I could wish for… I’d be a fool to exchange this little angel for someone else. So…”
He yanks the child closer, barrel still pressed against the kid’s forehead, and immediately both Nick and I stir – the firm grasp on my shoulders growing even tighter to keep me in check.
I’ve never felt this helpless in all my life… There is nothing I can do, nothing at all, as this asshole’s threatening all the happiness that ever made my life worth living.
All I can think of is the kid, our greatest treasure, the brave little soldier who – eye to eye with death – fights so bravely to hold back the tears, who doesn’t make a sound even though the little chest reveals a pounding heart.
“I’d suggest you reconsider my generous offer,” the leader continues smugly. “Until then… The little one will come with us.”
“No!” Nick and I protest in unison, panic urging us to do something – anything! But our hands are tied.
“Take the kid,” the gang leader instructs one of his henchmen, and it feels like a punch in the heart to watch the petrified child being dragged away.
“Don’t be afraid, kiddo!” I call after them. “We’ll come for you! No matter what it takes!”
“Quite the optimist,” the man taunts me, but before I can open my mouth to counter, Nick’s already growling at him, bitterly.
“You just signed up for the most gruesome death…”
That gets the asshole to laugh. “Says the one with nothing in his hands. Nothing at all… To the one who has everything. Everything you hold dear…”
A gesture, and Nick’s forced on his knees next to me. From the corner of my eyes, I see him pant with rage. If I gave him a sign, he would fight with me to break free in a heartbeat. And we’d both end up with bullets in our brains.
No. That bastard is right. He’s right about everything.
“I’m expecting your decision,” the leader reminds us one last time, before turning around.
There is one thing Nick had been right about, though.
We’re gonna hunt them down no matter where they run and we’re gonna make them pay. We’re gonna get the kid back, if it’s the last thing we do.
That son of a bitch is in for a gruesome death, indeed.
And hell, we’re gonna be creative…