REBELS

Episode 9

"The only way to leave them alone is for you to come with me," he told her. Or rather, come with me or I'll kill everyone—he threatened, causing a shiver to run through my entire body at the great threat he had just released. Except for you, of course," he added, looking at her with a crooked smile and a gesture that gave a lot to say.

"What?" she exclaimed, incredulous. Rouse said my name asking for help.

"What do you want from her?" I forced myself to say.

"I want you to come with me, that's what I want the most," he answered firmly.

"No…" Abby denied, looking at me pleadingly.

But... what could I do?

My mind was still blank and unable to comprehend anything.

"You don't have to know each other to know that you are the love of my life," he told her.

"You're going very fast, Romeo," I spoke to him, looking at him with a frown.

"My patience is over." In a quick movement, he grabbed Abby's arm again and pulled her towards him before pulling her out of the truck and holding her around the waist.

It was so fast that by the time I got out on my side of the car and walked around the truck so I could go to Abby and at least try to help her get that crazy man off the hook, it was too late. I saw how two men held my father by both arms while he struggled with an annoyed expression.

Abby's scream made me turn my face in that direction, and there I saw them. He was carrying her over her shoulder as she cried out and pleaded for him to let go.

I ran after them.

"Rouse, there's no use!" I heard my mother scream.

I was not going to abandon her, she never did with me.

I ignored my mother and ran faster across the asphalt until I was behind them. Watching him drop her to the ground, I moved faster until I caught up with them and lunged at the boy's back, wrapping my legs around her.

"Run, run away and get help!" I yelled at Abby as she held the boy's neck tightly in my arms.

We're in the middle of nowhere! Who am I going to ask for help?! "She reproached me. I was right, I didn't think so.

We were totally trapped.

In a strange movement the boy managed to get out of my grip and let go of my arms, he made me get off his back and then turned and held me tightly by the arm.

"I know you're trying to be a good friend by helping her, but you better stay out of it," she warned me in a harsh voice, her face hardening.

"Hey, drop it!" Abby demanded, grabbing his shoulder and pulling him away from me. She then turned to me with a pitiful expression. I'm sorry Rouse, I don't know what's going on, I'm just as confused as you are, but I think I'd better go with him. I don't want anything bad to happen to your family —she spoke to me in Russian.

"I won't allow it, he's an unknown madman" I shook my head, she took my hands and made me look into her eyes.

"This may be strangely crazy for you, but despite his violent, possessive attitude and his serious gesture... I don't know how to tell you," he exclaimed in a low voice, gesturing with his hands as he tried to express what he felt, "he gives me confidence, and I repeat, I don't want anything bad to happen to them." If there is no other alternative, I go with him.

"No, I'm not going to leave you," I assured, firmly.

"Then come with us," the boy's voice proposed, affirming with a smile that he understood our language as soon as we turned towards him with a surprised expression. If you don't want to let her go, the only way is for you to come with us because I'm not going to let her either,” she let me know.

"Oh, God, he understood what we said!" Abby whispered, bringing a hand to her cheek, covering half of her face. She looked extremely embarrassed.

At that moment, I moved my face in the direction where my parents were.

Going with them... It had never crossed my mind but my parents? They were never going to let me go.

"I don't have all the time," the boy reported in an exasperated tone. I looked at him and then at Abby, who was only inches away from me.

As if reading my mind, he spoke.

"Don't think so much, I'll be fine.

-The thing is...

-Enough! The boy interrupted us, again losing patience. Put them in the truck,” he ordered, looking at someone behind us. Congratulations , you're going to go with us," he told me with a crooked smile and a mischievous look.

I didn't realize at the time that two guys grabbed me by both arms and forced me to walk. I struggled for them to jump but their grips increased.

-Mom Dad! —She yelled at that moment, desperate. My heart had raced at the thought that I might never see them again.

"Rouse!" My mother called my name in supplication. I tried to turn towards the place where my parents were, but I couldn't do it thanks to the escorts on my sides.

The two guys forced me into a van and it was impossible for me to see what was happening outside.

Abby's screams alerted me that she wasn't being treated well either. Seconds later, he entered through the other door followed by the boy who passed by saying that she belonged to him. He completely blocked her path when she tried to go back the way he came.

"Come on," he ordered the driver.

-No! My parents —My heart clenched at the thought of the probability of never seeing them again— Open the door! Take out the damn insurance! I snapped, turning my face towards him, after trying to open the vehicle door.

"Rouse, calm down," Abby urged, moving closer to me, seeing that I was upset. "Calm down, calm down."

"I can't." I shook my head, eyes closed, feeling her hands on my shoulders and then up to the sides of my face. I need air... Get down.