Chapter 47: Escape The Clutches

**BACK AT THE COTTAGE IN THE PRESENT...**

"So, he's here in Costa Rica as we speak?" Peter asked.

"Yes, he is. I managed to escape him when he first found me here there, but I'm sure he's still looking for me and it's probably only a matter of time before he finds me," Sharon told Peter.

"After I got away from him, I hid from location to location, away from his radar but he found me and I ran again. I left San Jose and came to this island and as soon as I arrived, I knew it would only be a matter of time before he found me. I was tired of running and decided to take my life rather than give Addicus control over it!" Sharon said.

"And that's when I found you, on the cliff?" Peter asked, and Sharon nodded affirmatively.

"I don't want to let my guard down again, Peter. I don't want to pretend like I can be happy and live a normal life because I can't, not with Addicus still alive and out to get me," she said in fright, almost like she could feel him getting closer.

Peter went to her and gave her a reassuring hug which seemed to relax her.

"Don't worry, my love. I will protect you from even the devil himself!"

Just outside the house, some faceless figures were moving around. Addicus had sent five of his best men to the cottage to apprehend Sharon. He was just a few yards away from the house, and he waited for his men to give the signal for him to approach.

Peter was holding Sharon and easing her fears when he heard the rustle of the bushes outside. He looked out the window and spotted someone sneaking around, actually more than one person sneaking around and from the looks of it, they weren't there to sing Cumbaya with them.

Peter let go of Sharon but grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs with him.

"Peter, what's going on?" She asked worriedly.

He didn't say anything. He just kept going upstairs and they both entered his bedroom and he locked the door with them inside.

"Peter, what's happening?" She asked again.

"There are several men sneaking around outside. I think Addicus has found you once again," Peter said, and moved to a part of the floor where he pulled out the floorboard to get his revolver.

He took it out and loaded it with bullets, preparing to use it if the need were to arise.

*Sharon was scared now!*

She always knew Addicus would find her again, but now she had even more to lose; **Peter**. If he were to die because of her, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself.

"Peter, no!" She said with sadness. "He only wants me. If I surrender to him, he'll take me and leave. You won't have to kill anyone or die yourself."

"He'll kill you, Sharon! You know this," Peter said, appalled by her suggestion to surrender.

"I know, and I've come to terms with it, but not with you dying for me. I love you, Peter, like I never loved anyone before and I can't stay here and let him kill you. I can't," Sharon cried.

"Look at me, Sharon. Look at me," Peter said intensely.

She looked at him as he held her head.

"I'm not going to let him hurt you...and I won't die either. You're not going to run away from this man anymore," Peter said in assurance and gave her a quick kiss.

Just then, they heard the door of the cottage creak open. The men were now in the house and it was finally time to take a stand.

Peter opened the bedroom door and slowly walked out. He bent down and made his way to the railings that led to the stairs. He looked downstairs and saw two men walk by. They were armed with a lot of firepower.

The men were searching for them downstairs and Peter knew that they would soon come up. He had to act first, since he still had the element of surprise. Peter took cover by the wall and waited until one of the men was in full view.

"Check the kitchen. I'll go look upstairs," One of them said, and began walking up the stairs.

Peter suddenly came out of his hiding spot and shot the man in the chest before he could do anything about it. The goon yelled in pain and fell loudly down the stairs. The other goon ran out of the kitchen to aid his colleague but was met with the same fate when Peter shot him in the head.

Peter picked up one of their guns and called out to Sharon who was still upstairs. She came down and Peter handed her one of the guns.

"I don't know how to use this, Peter," she said, frightened by the weapon.

"Just aim and pull the trigger," Peter said hurriedly.

There wasn't any time to explain more. Peter led her behind him through the living room so they could leave through the front door. As Peter was about to open the door, he didn't see the third man who had been hiding and waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack.

Sharon saw him first and tried to shoot at him but dropped her gun on the floor.

"Peter, behind you!" She tried to alert him.

Before Peter could react, the man shot him in his left shoulder. As Peter fell, he managed to raise his gun and shoot his attacker in the chest. The third goon fell and died immediately.

**Peter was hurt!**

His shoulder was bleeding badly, and he was losing a lot of blood.

"Peter, are you okay?" Sharon asked in worry. "I'll be fine. It's just a little scratch," Peter said and ripped a piece of cloth and tied it around his bleeding shoulder.

"We have to keep moving. Who knows how many more men are here?" Peter said and got back up.

He opened the door and he and Sharon ran to his barn.

"How do we get out of here?" Sharon asked.

"With that!" Peter said, pointing to what seemed like a vehicle but was concealed under a tarpaulin.

He pulled the tarp off and a car was underneath it.

"I didn't know you had a car in here," Sharon said in surprise.

"Well, it's a good thing that I do," he said.

They got into the vehicle, and he started the engine and drove out of the barn. As they drove off to a certain distance, they saw Addicus and some of his other men by the side of the road.

Addicus noticed them and ordered his men to shoot at them. Bullets were rained at the car, causing Peter and Sharon to duck and try to take cover as they drove by the group of shooters.

They managed to get past them, prompting Addicus and his men to get into their cars and give chase.

Three cars were chasing after Peter's. Each car had three men in them and the car Addicus was in was at the back of the other two. While one drove, the other two shot at Peter's car through the windows. The bullets hit their car multiple times, causing Sharon to shriek in fright. They needed to do something otherwise they would be killed.

Peter instructed Sharon to take the wheel of the car and drive while he shot back. They exchanged seats and Peter stuck his head and arms out the car window and shot back at their pursuers. He got one of them in the face and the other shot back in anger. Peter went back in, reloaded his gun, and went back out again. He aimed for the driver and shot his gun.

***The bullet flew through the air, burst through the windshield, and made contact with the driver's throat, instantly killing him. The car lost control and skidded off the road, crashing hard and causing the other two cars behind to stop.***

Sharon kept on driving, and they got away from Addicus.