Chapter 23 - Part II

Being an editor myself, I never thought that I myself would be a part of a cliche plotline where at the end I will be kidnapped and end up tied and gagged only to die later. The only difference, I thought, was that I would actually die at the end, and not wake up after a miraculous recovery so that all love lost will be back and everything will be alright.

My hands were bound behind me with the finest and smoothest of silk because if anyone found bruises on the wrists of my dead body, they would immediately know that I was bound. Same was with my legs, and my mouth. The babies were not sleeping anymore, and were blabbering among themselves as they sat right in front of me.

Watching them climb down the crib had brought my heart down to my stomach.

While I let them get some time for themselves, I looked around for possible means of escape. There was a door and a window that led into an alleyway. The door was useless, unless those goons actually agreed to help us. Considering that I didn't climb any stairs while coming here, it wasn't a long jump from the window, but I believed it wasn't easy either.

I had to carry two heavy kids along with me and I didn't know how I was going to balance the fall.

"Momo." Raine and Ryan both came to me and clambered over my lap, accidentally hitting all the places where I was injured. But it definitely calmed me deep down, being surrounded by the two kids I loved the most during the last moments of my life.

I would die for them a thousand times again.

I could see the tiny goosebumps and immediately knew that they were cold. And the way they cuddled closer to my breasts, they were hungry too.

After struggling for a few moments, I managed to slip the gag out with my tongue. For some reason, the goons didn't gag me properly and I was thankful to them for it.

"Ryan, Raine," I said as sweetly as possible, "Where are my hands?"

They both grinned at me and climbed out of my lap, going behind me and squealed as they both found where my hands were.

"Baby, can you please open that knot for me?" I asked and immediately found Ryan's nimble little fingers working on the tie. I found out that Raine was working on untying my feet, although it took more efforts from her as compared to Ryan.

Finally, the obsession Ryan had with tying and untying the knots came of some use.

I didn't know how much time I had, but as far as I knew Larissa, she would have her beauty sleep at night and would come after us only when the sun rose. It would take hours for that.

The fact that bothered me was that Terrence wasn't here yet. Did my phone crack or get switched off when I kicked it aside?

Ryan clapped his hands and giggled and my hands were freed. I ruffled his hair and kissed his cheek, silently crying inside, wondering if I would ever hear him giggle again. I looked and helped Raine, finally untying my feet when he too, clapped and giggle.

I unzipped my jacket and gathered my twins, bringing them in the warmth of my extra large jacket. I adjusted my bra and helped them so that they could snuggled into me and then get fed.

I was surprised I had any milk left, considering the fact the breast fed them lesser and lesser now.

What mattered was, that I could feel this connection to the twins one last time before I finally let them out. I didn't know if Larissa was here. And also, I knew that Jeff and Will would catch up soon and I wouldn't be able to run far.

But I knew that no matter what they did to me, they had a soft spot for Raine and Ryan and a little bargaining would push them to help me.

I was thankful for the jacket because I could zip it up even when the babies were wrapped inside it with me. After I had adjusted my clothes, I took in a deep breath because it was time to go.

I stood up, very slowly, trying not to wince because once again, Ryan and Raine had fallen asleep.

I was so fucking proud of them and proud of myself.

With a last wistful smile, I took slow steps towards the window, taking care of the floorboards because I didn't want them to creak. Even if they did, it wasn't going to do much harm because whoever was posted out of the door know that Ryan and Raine had a knack for bouncing and jumping around.

When I reached the window, I took in a deep breath and slid it open swiftly. For an old house, it really didn't make much noise. I looked back at the barren walls and empty floors, realising that Raine had kept all the silk scarves for herself. I looked at the door wondering if anyone had an idea that I was escaping.

I peeked out of the window and looked left and right, checking if there was anyone in the alleyway. Finding it empty, I slowly climbed up, the combined weight of Raine and Ryan, and my injuries not helping with the process.

Climbing out was easy, and I didn't twist my ankle more than it already had. But I didn't know where to go. I chose left and walked slowly, taking care not to make much noise.

Once I turned onto a wider road, I started running, that is, if my weird hobbling could be called running.

"She's running away, Jeff! Get her!" A loud shout broke into the silence of midnight and I cursed at how empty the road looked. I could only wish now that Larissa wasn't around to hear him shouting.

As fast as I tried to run, both of them managed to catch me soon and I was yanked back by my hair. My scalp burned along with other parts o my body that now felt on the verge of giving up.

"What were you thinking? Running like that?" Jeff asked, holding me by my hair, "Wanna get yourself killed?"

"I don't care!" I screamed with all I had and unzipped my jacket, holding out the twins to them, "I want to save them!"

They looked at each other and Jeff's hold loosened just a bit.

"Please! I beg you! She will kill them! Let them go!" Tears ran down my face, "Please," I sobbed, "They don't deserve this. I'll come back with you, but please get them somewhere away from her."

"Look," Will said, "We already made that mistake once and we are not going to do that again."

I burst into more and more tears.

"Oh God, please! I beg of you! It's a dying mother's last wish. I just want my kids to be safe!"

"They are not your kids!"

I slapped Will hard.

"I was the one who took them in, fed them, loved them like they were my own, spent sleepless night and was there for them every fucking second! The fuck you get to say if I am their mother or not!"

"What are the two of you doing!" Larissa's voice boomed in the silent air and a chill ran down my spine. I had never thought she'll ever be able to invoke such terror in me. "Get her and those brats back! Now!"

"Please!" I begged and again, the two looked uncomfortable, "I promise she will never be able to ruin you! You know what?" I took the twins and trustingly handed them to Will and Jeff, who'd finally let go of my hair. "Take them to Terrence Powers and tell him that Alyssa Reynolds promised you thrice of what Larissa is offering."

At their widened eyes, I continued, "Trust me that guy is loaded. Now go!"

A gunshot fired behind me and I pushed them, "Go!"

Just then, another shot rang in the air, and I found myself screaming for air, my shoulder burning with a pain I never wanted to feel again.

"You bitch!" I could hear her scream, "You turned my own men against me?! Fucking Traitors!"

And another shot.

This was it.

I was going to die.

And I didn't even tell Terrence that I loved him.

And I didn't even tell Allie to take care of herself and stop being so cynical and difficult about everything.

And I didn't even tell Aaron to take care of my best friend.

And Oh God! I didn't tell Terrence that he couldn't give the babies away to Larissa, no matter what his dad said to him.

I had so much left to do, and here I was, lying uselessly, in my own pool of blood.

My ears were ringing again, and it felt like I was hearing sirens around me, rushed footsteps, another few gunshots, and finally, someone slightly shaking me.

"Oh God!" I groaned, "Get Raine and Ryan to Terrence, now! And let me die in peace!"

"Baby, it's me! The babies are safe! Keep your fucking eyes open, Alyssa! You can't leave us like this!"