CHAPTER 25
1507 Words
Lucy POV
“Lucy hold out your hand " Will said, his tone gentle yet firm, in the boat.
He draws me near. Envelops me in his arms like a cozy quilt.
I turn toward him because my heart aches deeply from losing Daddy.
We stay like that for some time, just holding each other while the water softly pushes the boat.
Will presses a kiss to the crown of my head. Softly vows that he will hold Nana accountable for all of it.
His words somewhat ease my feelings. The anguish within remains vast.
I gaze at him. Notice his eyes brimming with affection and concern.
He wipes my tears away with his thumb. Tell me that we need to save Grey immediately.
I agree since Grey assisted me previously, and I don’t want him to perish like Daddy.
Will turn on the boat engine. We return to the shore at a slow pace.
He keeps holding my hand throughout. His contact gives me a sense of security.
Upon reaching the shore, he helps me. We walked together toward the car.
Raymond sits inside the vehicle looking sorrowful.
He apologizes for Daddy, and his tone suggests he truly means it.
Will tells him to drive us to the clock tower fast but carefully.
I take a seat at the rear next to Will. He pulls me onto his knees to stay close.
We travel across the city. The lights make everything seem beautiful, yet I feel hollow within.
Will massage my back. I share tales from my childhood to bring a smile to my face.
I recall the times when he was my guard, and we used to play games together.
His voice is calming. It lets me briefly forget the suffering.
We parked close to the clock tower and concealed the car behind the trees.
Will gazes at me intently. States that we need to be clever.
He hands me a blade to conceal in my pocket.
I feel brave while present there. I affirm that I am ready.
We stroll softly towards the tower entrance.
I will verify whether someone is observing.
He gently opens the door. We step inside.
The stairway is faintly lit, and I hold Will’s hand tightly to avoid losing my balance.
We ascend higher and higher until we arrive at the room. The wind gusts strongly through the windows.
Grey was tied to a chair placed in the middle, his face covered in blood. Nana stood behind him, clutching a knife and displaying a smile.
She notices us, and her eyes sparkle as if she is joyful. "Welcome dears," she says in a tender tone that makes me feel ill.
“Now we are able to conclude this family discussion.”
She moves the blade closer to Grey’s throat. He winces from the pain.
Will step in front of me to keep me safe.
“Release him Nana " he states firmly.
“You’ve caused pain to individuals.”
His voice conveys frustration. He stays calm to accommodate me.
Nana chuckles as if it is amusing.
“Do you believe you have the authority to instruct me?" she inquires.“You are merely a boy whom I allowed to survive.”
She looks at me, and her eyes turn cold.
I am frightened, yet I raise my voice. “I’m not part of your family, " I state. "You caused pain to Daddy and to me."
Tears return more yet, I quickly dry them.
Grey looks at me with his eyes. Tries to talk, but the tape over his mouth stops him.
Nana approaches nearer, holding the knife. "You’re mistaken, Lucy," she replies. “I shaped you into who you have become.”
“I arranged everything on your behalf.”
She tries to run her fingers through my hair. Will grabs her arm, and he bends her arm, and the blade drops.
Nana cries out loudly in agony.
Will pushes her to the floor and stands over her. “It has ended, " he declares.
“You have been overcome.”
I hurry over to Grey. Carefully remove the tape from his mouth, and he struggles to breathe.
Weakly, he said, ‘Thank you, Lucy.” He said in a weak voice. “I am sorry for everything.”
I loosen his hands. Assist him to rise on his feet, and he quickly embraces me.
He whispers, "I never meant to hurt you."
Will tie Nana’s wrists with the rope he took out of his pocket. She resists, he dominates her, and she spits onto the floor. "You’ll regret this, " she cautions.
Looking out the window at the city lights, I feel a bit at ease now. We saved Grey. Captured Nana.
At midnight, the clock situated in the tower started to ring. The bell echoed twelve times each toll, making the floor shake a little.
Nana chuckles while lying on the floor. "You have arrived late, " she remarks. "Gaze down upon the city.”
Her eyes sparkle with joy.
I look out the window. Farther away, a big red light is blinking. The fire came from the Jones Group building.
My heart sinks. "That’s my company!" I shout. It feels like I’m suffocating.
Will rushed to the window, his face growing pale.
Nana keeps laughing. "I've set the timer for midnight, " she comments. "If I don't ring to turn it off the bombs will do it. The whole building will be on fire then."
Grey clutches Nana’s shirt. "You fiend, " he said. "That’s Lucy’s house.”
He seems close to bursting into tears.
I am feeling lightheaded. All that Daddy constructed has vanished. I settled on the ground. Clasp my knees.
Will drops to his knees beside me. Embrace me tightly.
"We will fix it, " he asserts. "We will rebuild it." His voice is resolute. I see tears gathering in his eyes. He presses a kiss on my hair.
A phone buzzes. It belongs to Grey. It is tucked in his pocket. Slowly, he retrieves it. The screen shows Cullen’s name.
Grey. Changes to the speaker. "Son, " said Cullen’s voice. "I can see the tower. I’m making my way up." His voice is cold. Full of loathing.
Grey looks over at us. "Dad's here " he whispers. "He's on his way to pick up Nana." His hand shakes while gripping the phone.
Will stands up swiftly. He retrieves his firearm from the floor. "Get ready " he states. "Cullen isn’t alone.”
I look at Nana. She smiles brightly. "My dear is coming to save me, " she said happily. " You’re all trapped here.”
The door, near the stairs, bursts open. Swift footsteps run upstairs. Many footsteps. Rough voices can be heard talking.
Will pulls me behind a box. Grey hides skillfully. Nana stays on the floor tied up. She yells, "Hurry, my dear!”
Cullen arrives with ten men. He sees Nana and hurries toward her. He quickly unbinds her hands.
Nana. Kisses Cullen. "I’ve missed you, " she said. "Now get rid of everyone."
Cullen looks around the room. "Where have they disappeared to?" he asks, annoyed.
His troops scour the area. They come close to our hiding spot. I hold my breath. Will clenches my hand tightly.
A man looks over the box. He spots us. "Caught them!" he shouts.
Will jumps up and punches the man hard.
The man reels backward. Guns are pointed at us.
Cullen smiles. "Hello, Andrea, " he said to Will. "Nice to see you "he says, looking over at me. "My beloved daughter-in-law." His stare is piercingly cold.
Gray ascends slowly. "Dad, " he said. "Kindly stop this." His tone shakes.
Cullen looks at Grey. "You are not a son " he states. "You helped them." He aims his gun at Grey.
I yell, "No!”
Cullen shoots.
The bullet hits the wall next to Grey. Grey flinches in fright. Cullen laughs. "That was a warning; the next shot will hit.”
Will pushes me behind him. "You want me, " he said to Cullen. "Let go. Grey." His voice is steady. His hold on my hand feels sweaty.
Cullen shakes his head. "No, " he replies. "I want it all." He turns his gaze to Nana.
“Fetch the girl " he directs her.
Nana comes up to me with a smile. She grips my arm tightly. "Let’s go, dear, " she said gently. "It’s time to return home.”
I retreat. "Stop!" I shout.
Will fights the men. He hits one with a punch. Send a kick to another. Still, the crowd is too large.
A man strikes Will on the head with his firearm.
Will falls to the ground. Blood streams from his head.
"Will!” I screamed
Cullen stands over Will, pointing his gun at Will’s temple. "Goodbye, Andrew," he said.
Before Cullen can shoot, a loud boom shakes the whole tower. The floor cracks. Everyone falls. The big clock bell falls with a huge crash.
- Writer
