UNDER THE SAME SKY

CHAPTER 2 : THE CHASE

Clara's POV

Am still alive…a sweet relief washed over me. I gradually came back to my senses when I felt his frame enveloping me like a mother hen and it's little chick.

His scent was heavenly. Absolutely masculine and sexy. His muscles were hard and comforting. Wait? What? what am I thinking? Oh Clara your so hopeless in the midst of this mess. I should be thinking of survival not this stranger that has just kidn*pped me…

Suddenly I saw him raise his short gun and fire back at those two men with precision. He got the scare handed man who fell down instantly and died.

He pulled me deeper into the dark shadows. Completely oblivious of where we were going? I followed dumbly before I found my voice. “ Who are you?” I asked him in a shaky voice. “What do you want from me? Pull off your mask.”

I looked up at him. He was also clad in black with his face masked in black and the same jackal headed crest at the left side of his mask. The blood in my veins froze…

What is this is it me choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea? I thought silently. I know I'll die I'll certainly be dead before sunrise. What is the worse that can happen to me if he takes me to their camp.

Then suddenly it occurred to me that he killed their own member to save me. “ I can see your same with them” I said. “ Why did you save me then?” I tried to wriggle myself free and runaway but he held me tight “ shut up woman and keep still” came a deep and attractive male voice. It is so affecting that if it is not for the situation I am in at this time, I would develop a crush. Hmmm hilarious

I felt a cold metal on my head immediately.

“You talk too much” the voice continued “ one more word from you and you will be gone. So just shut the hell up” I panicked but tried to hide it. If I was ever going to escape alive I need to be smart so I obeyed.

With the gun on my head. We came out of our temporary shelter and almost simultaneously escaped another gun shot…He fired back as he pulled me behind him. My heart still thudding loudly.

I knew fighting him was useless if I wanted to stay alive I would play the game.

We heard footsteps echoing close by his grip on my hand tightened. The faint sound of blaring sirens from a distance. Oh dear God who would save me from this hell. “ Walk to the right” he spoke again. I obeyed, then there it happened.

The man called Tim appeared closed on the masked stranger, who held me and they both fought so hard. They fought like two lions. Like an action movie.

I stood still with my hands both tied together ( he tied my hands earlier) and watched them. Why was he defending me if he wanted to kill me. I silently thought to myself. Maybe saving me for the last I guess.

The masked guy seemed to be gifted in charate he beat Tim black and blue swiftly got up. Picked his gun and shot him dead. It happened in a split second before I could regain my senses. He was already dragging me again to a building. It was aboundoned something like a warehouse.

We got in and he made me sit on a chair.

He cracked the gun and was pointing it directly to me ready to fire. Tears streamed down my face. “ How much did they pay you I will give you double please let me go” I pleaded “you won't ever see me again” He said nothing. He was still for sometime then twitched his jaw.

He lowered down the pistol and collapsed in a nearby chair. He sat quietly. Neither of us spoke for more than an hour. He occasionally got up and made rounds in the building as if he was checking for some proof.

He got up and went outside. I was bound to the chair I couldn't run that would have been the best moment for me to escape.

So on my own I tried hard to wriggle myself free by bitting on the rope. Thinning it so I can set myself free.

He came inside. I tried so hard to make out the lines of his face but failed. The masked did a good job of hiding his appearance.

The man was annoyingly quiet. A thousand questions ran through my mind but I know. That asking him will be in vain. He went to the window at the side of the building and peeped through.

When all was quiet he came to me lowered the pistol down and untied me. I simply watched him in silence at this point I had no idea what he will do.

“Stand up ” he said I obeyed and he led me outside. I walked infront and he was behind me “ go home” he ordered as I turned my back to see him one last time. He had vanished into the night. His sight is no where to be found.

I rubbed my eyes and looked again. To make sure I am not dreaming. When the place was completely still I moved forward and walked aimlessly from exhaustion and fear.

I dialed my driver Sam’s number thankfully it went through. “ Ma'am, where are you?" he asked panickedly. “I tried reaching your line but it kept saying unavailable. Are you safe?” He continues. “Just come to 18 avenue by the right corner there is a huge yellow container and I am alive and here right now” I said exhaustingly.

After about 16 minutes my black Lincoln jeep pulled up. Gratefully I entered the vehicle and we moved with speed. Luckily where we were had Street lights on.

I settled down and felt grateful to God for life. I took a deep breath and released. “ Are you okay Ma'am?” Sam looked behind with worry on his face as he asked. “Just drive” I said “ take me out of this place”

As he sped off I turned back slightly and noticed a shadowy movement behind us.

“Sam” I almost choked “do you see what I see?” He checked the driver's mirror and confirmed. “Someone is following us Ma'am” he said in a small voice…