Found Them

Found Them
Arthur's point of view

“Arthur, are you sure we are not falling into anyone's trap, given how crazy both your mother and Evelyn are? This is too good to be true.”
I glanced at Jad for a few seconds before I turned my attention back to the road. At some point his words are making sense, but I somehow believe that it wasn't a trap.
“I'm not sure about that, Jad, but all I know is I'd do anything to bring happiness in Evelyn's life, and our kids are the only thing that can bring joy in our lives again—who knows, maybe they are still alive.”
Jad released a deep breath. “I'm not sure, man; I just don't want anything to happen to either you or Evelyn, especially after what you've been through. You deserve a break.”
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. What if this was indeed a trap—what if I'm actually putting Evelyn's life in danger once again? I don't want her to suffer anymore, especially because of me.
“I think we've arrived at the shared location…”
I halted the car at Dave's words; he's the one who was watching the map for us, and I'm sure he was right.
My fingers wrapped around the door handle, pushing it open, and I stepped out.
Dave and Jad followed the pattern.
I put on my glasses and a cap. The three of us started wandering a short distance from the mall entrance, waiting to see if we'd see the kids again. The lady told us that they were at the entrance of the mall, but I didn't actually know.
My heart seemed to have stopped for a beating second, and my eyes widened.
As much as I didn't want to believe it. It was them. Ellen's eyes met mine, and they twinkled, but she didn't dare come closer.
Tears welled up in my eyes before I immediately blinked them back. This was to be a dream, because I refused to believe all this was the truth.
“It's them!” Jad exclaimed, his tone dripping with joy. “God, they are still alive; it's them…”
He squeezed my hand tightly, and I couldn't help but smile; it's them.
“Dave, signal our men to surround this white building.”
“Right away, sir.”
Dave didn't waste a second before he got to work, and Jad and I stood by the car, waiting for him to finish. We don't know who the people who kidnapped them are or what they are capable of. We at least needed some sort of protection so the kids don't get hurt.
Minutes turned into hours as we waited for the signal from them, and when everything was alright… We finally walked to them.
Ellena was the first one to run to me, and she hugged my legs tightly. “Daddy, it's you! You came for us, Daddy!”
She broke into sobs as she hugged me tightly.
I lifted her into my arms. “I came for you, my princess.”
A sharp pain cut through my throat. How could I not think that Veronica could play such a cruel joke on me and try to separate me from my kids only to make them suffer?
I should have known she'd play such a disgusting prank on me, but how could I? I was shrouded with guilt, thinking it was all my fault instead of thinking outside the box.
The sounds of gunshots echoed in the empty space as men in black surrounded us out of nowhere from corner to corner.

“You are in my territory… If you know what's good for you, let the kids go, or else I'm going to kill you.”
I placed Ellen on the ground, and she quickly stood behind me, hiding along with Henry and five other kids.
“You have the nerve to stand here and talk garbage after kidnapping my kids. Do you know what happens when you mess with Arthur Madison?”
The sound of my dark voice sliced through the air. The eyes of the guy who was speaking widened in shock, but he tried to hide it with a smirk.
“I brought these kids with my fucking money, alright… If you want them, you'd need to pay me back my money…”
I shook my head. Did he think he'd get money out of me after kidnapping my children and turning them into beggars? If he thought so, then he definitely had another thing coming. I won't let him use any of the kids here. Their parents must be suffering as we speak, thinking they've lost their kids.
“Dave!”
I called out, and one by one a group of my men came out of their hiding places, surrounding the whole place along with the men who had kidnapped the children.
“I want you to cut off their hands and legs and make sure they are jailed for the rest of their pathetic life… In fact, make sure they get locked and the keys are thrown into the sea.”
No one gets to touch my kids and get away with it.
“Also make sure you save all the kids they were using and send them to the police; they will find their parents.”
Jad added.
“Mister Madison, please forgive us… We were just trying to survive, that's all, and these kids were just helping us.”
I scoffed at his words. “Are you still trying to justify your disgusting act?”
He sure has the nerve to keep talking. He should be grateful to these kids, or else I'd have blown his brains out and fed them to dogs because that's exactly what he deserves.
“Please forgive us, sir; we made a mistake…”
He begged.
“Take them away!”
I shouted, and Dave and my men quickly got to work. They dragged the men away from the mall; luckily, the mall was far away from the city, and only travelers got to shop here, so no people were watching, making the whole thing easier.
Right now I was trying to picture Evelyn's expression; she'd be so happy that she'd start crying once again. It was hard to believe that our kids are still.