Chapter 9

Chantria

“Run!” Carleigh shouted before pulling something from the side and raining gunfire.

I just stopped before covering my ears. I carried Chanel even though she was very heavy.

They turned out to be right. It’s really different when it comes to adrenaline. You can even carry a large refrigerator. I didn’t know that with my small build, I would be able to lift Chanel who is also about a few inches taller than me.

I could hear the reverberating of the gun around me. I don’t know where the shooter is coming from. All I know is that I have to get out of there with Chanel. I also wanted to drag Carleigh out of there, but I know that I can’t. I know how hard my twin’s skull is.

I didn’t realize that Carleigh was right next to me helping me lift Chanel. I was so nervous that I could only see the road.

“I need you to get out of here, Chan,” he said. “Take Chanel with you. At the end of the road, Joaquin is waiting with the guards. They should probably be marching their way here. I will do my best to divert their attention for the time being.”

I immediately objected. “I think that’s not a good idea.”

She bit her lower lip. “I know. But I have to. If I don’t do this we will all die here.”

“What if you die?” I almost sobbed at my own question.

“I won’t die so easily, Chantria. Bad weeds take a long time to die. You know that.”

If it was just a normal chance I might have laughed at her and agreed. I just can’t do it. She’s sacrificing herself for our safety. I know that Carleigh has a better chance of returning safely compared to me, but I’m still uneasy because I know that it’s really dangerous where she plans to go.

There’s f-cking guns out there! She is not a walking bulletproof human to fight them face to face. She’s still a human like us. No matter how good she is at handling a gun, if the person she faces is also good, she still has nothing to lose.

I’ve seen her shoot a gun. We are often at the shooting range with Chanel. Our dad insisted that we learn how to hold and fire it for our safety. Carleigh was a natural at it. I was okay and Chanel hated it. But I don’t know that it will be a big help in such situations.

I should have taken that lesson seriously. I didn’t even think it would happen. Now I know what dad meant about learning how to protect ourselves. We are too used to having someone else protect us, not thinking that this would happen.

But regrets will do nothing now. Here we are already. That driver must have been an enemy. That’s why Carleigh killed him. It was self defense. How he got through as our driver, I don’t know.

As Carleigh said, I could see some of dad’s armed guards. At first I stopped and even backed away, thinking that they were enemies. But when I saw Joaquin leading the group, I breathed a sigh of relief.

I trust him as much as I trust dad. He was with us ever since we were kids. Back then, the four of us were still playing chase. Now I don’t recognize him anymore.

“Chantria!” he called.

He ran fast like a lightning in our direction. He helped me carry Chanel while the guards surrounded us. They are like eagles watching around. A few wrong moves will blindside anyone they find unfamiliar.

“Where the hell is Carleigh?” he exclaimed. His forehead was wrinkled again as before. I miss seeing our cheerful Joaquin.

“She left. She said she’s going to divert the enemy’s attention, or the enemies.”

“That idiot,” I heard him whisper.

I didn’t hear what he said next because he let us inside the van that belonged to dad. Some guards were left inside and even the driver was armed. That’s when I realized how dangerous we are now. I was even more worried about Carleigh.

“Take them back to the mansion,” Joaquin ordered the driver.

I immediately appealed. “No! We need to wait for Carleigh. We can’t leave her here.”

“Your safety is our priority, Yvonne. I’ll take care of Carleigh. I won’t let anything, or anyone hurt her.”

And I know that he won’t let anyone. He loves Carleigh as much as he loves Chanel and me. But even so, I’m still worried. Until I see Carleigh safe, I will not be at peace.

“What’s happening?”

Joaquin and I looked at each other when we heard Chanel’s voice. She held her temple and looked around, confused.

“You’re awake.” I attended her immediately. “We need to leave here. We’re not safe anymore.”

“What about Carleigh? Where is she?” I noticed immediately that she panicked when she didn’t see Leigh.

“I’m going to go get her,” replied Joaquin.

Before he could even turn to leave, we heard the shout of one of the guards. At first, I didn’t understand what he's saying, but when I saw one of them running in our direction, I was overcome with fear.

“Carleigh!” Chanel and I shouted at the same time.

I just breathed a sigh of relief when I saw her running behind that guard. I immediately looked over her whole body and she didn’t seem to have any injuries. Even that alone is enough to be thankful.

I smiled because we could finally leave this dangerous place. I yelled again, “Carleigh, let’s go!”

A small smile appeared on her lips when she saw us. Joaquin quickly ran to her. The driver just revived the car so we could get out of here.

But my world stopped when I heard a deafening gunshot. Chanel and I stayed and covered our ears at the same time because of its loud noise. At that moment, we know that the enemies are near and we need to leave as soon as possible.

But when I looked back at Carleigh I was almost frozen on my seat. My mouth fell open as her body slowly fell. If it wasn’t for Joaquin, she might have been lying on the ground. I couldn’t move from my seat. I couldn’t even shout to call my sister's name. Chanel was crying next to me and trying to get out.

The other two guards stopped us from getting out. One of them closed the car which surprised me. I looked back at Joaquin who was now exchanging gunfire with the enemies. I also tried to get out of the van to go to Carleigh but these men were too strong.

“Let go!” Finally I was able to speak. “Carleigh… Carleigh’s shot! We need to go back. Please!”

“We need to take you to a safe place, Ma’am Chantria,” said a man. “Don Zima wants to bring you home safely.”

My eyes widened as I looked at him. “What about Carleigh? She’s out there. We need to help her!”

“Please, Ma’am. Sir Joaquin is there to save her. When we return, your lives will also be in danger.”

I couldn’t do anything because my body was completely weakened. He’s just too strong. Not to mention the pain that’s starting to resurface again. My body finally gave in and my vision gradually blurred.