to my bones and I shivered helplessly. I could sense my heart pounding as I remembered the blow

wear," a voice I recognized rang in my ears. I glanced to the right and n

rror. At the very back of my mind, I feared for the welfare of the child I ca

d the voice and my heart ran wild when I saw four goons coming our way. The leader of

immer of hope. Frank, my husband. But then I remembered how he had rushed out the in

not move when he saw the two of us tied up. He clenched his fists and glared at

ly very close to you," said the leade

ediately," Frank

in this trouble," the thug replied. "I'll let you keep on

ng, right?" F

ld like to see whom you will choose. I had just come to a mind to have a

nd his teeth as he glanced at the tw

me," Dera looked up at Frank with watery eyes. She was

with shame. His fists were clenched

save one woman. Th

the two of us. My heart pounded in my chest when I sa

once before he spoke to

is was the inevitable, but I had hoped secretly that Frank

be the thug's hostage more than I ever thought I would.

g snarled with a revulsion-filled smile. "Are yo

," Frank com

g her against his chest as if she were one of those delicate porcelain dolls that would break if set down. "Frank, you mu

om here," Frank promised while p

t frightened me was my innocent child, who would be killed because of my stupid love for

o use for you to live," the thug declared,

aiting for?" I spat back

not have let you go either," the thug laughed. He o

is to be done?"

r out," the t

first for Frank. Why was I doing this? Why was I allowing Frank to treat me so poorly? I knew I was having my last

closed, acc

o

house, was blown back by the explosion. He looked in terror at the ware

stayed in t

ut

O!

ished cry fi