HIRED MERCENARIES

HIRED MERCENARIES


I don’t know how long I had lost consciousness but my eyes opened to darkness. Then I heard gunshots outside and that was when reality dawned on me.

It wasn’t an earthquake! The house was being raided.

I roved my eyes in the dark, trying to catch a glimpse of something or perhaps someone but all I could hear were people screaming and running around.

The room smelt of smoke, dust, and fear.  

The light came on and for a few seconds, I caught a glimpse of the ruins. Broken walls, scattered furniture, littered glasses, and destroyed food platters took over the hall accompanied by a confused crowd.

Madison! My wife!

Where is she?

The lights went off.

I heard footsteps thudding toward the hall and when I looked amidst the fog, I saw Ank and a couple of the security guards flashing their lights from the entrance.  

“The house is under an attack but we’re trying to protect you all. I need all of you to stay calm,” Ank supplied. “Nobody must head out. Find cover and stay right here,” he yelled.  

Ank’s light shone toward the end of the room and the first thing I saw was her dress. I crawled toward her and flipped her to the other side.

“Ank, over here!”

He dropped the flashlight and hurried toward me. Ank carried Madison in his arms. We went to the corner of the room. I sat and he dropped her in my arms.  

The entire room was screaming with confusion.

I held Madison in my arms while Ank resolved to check her vitals. I noticed a tiny cut on her forehead and some bruises on her face. Her whole body was covered in ash.

She must have been hit very hard by the explosion.

“She’s alive. She’ll be fine,” Ank told me and tried to get up.

I held his hand with a hardened expression. “What’s going on, Ank?”

He swept his gaze across the entire room. The guests were hiding underneath their tables while some were fidgeting in a corner.

The air rang with chaos.

“I need to know what’s going on. You said we are under an attack. Tell me what’s going on,”

I could still hear gunshots.

Ank sighed heavily. “A group of mercenaries stormed the house. They came through the backyard and they threw explosives but we’re trying to get them under control. It’s a good thing Tony’s men are with us,”

I couldn’t believe my ears.  A group of mercenaries? From where? Why would anyone try to attack my home?

Before I could turn to Ank, he was gone and so was his flashlight. I heard people whimpering. I heard Richard screaming Carissa’s name and I could hear teeth clattering.

I held onto Madison very tightly and tried to hold back the tears that wanted to stream down my cheeks.

What was supposed to be a joyous night had turned into a nightmare and right now? I can’t seem to wrap my head around the whole situation.

“Michael!”

I gasped and looked down at Madison.

The tears flowed from my cheeks and I hugged her more tightly.

“What happened?” She groaned weakly.

“You’re fine. You’re alive!”

“What’s going on Michael? Why is my head hurting very badly?”  Madison asked.

In a flash, she stopped talking and lost consciousness.

Ank suddenly appeared in the room. “It’s over!”

“I need to get my wife to the hospital,”

\~~~~

I stood in front of the emergency unit while Madison was being wheeled inside on a stretcher.  

I would have gone inside with her but the place was out of bounds for patient relatives. I took my head into my hands and fell to my knees like a raging man.

There was a volcano rising inside me and so many questions that needed answers.

Madison is in danger.  

I vowed to keep her safe.
I promised to protect her.
Our lives were supposed to be free from chaos until the explosion.

I heard footsteps clicking toward the hallway and I immediately turned. Richard appeared with ruffled hair and a dirty suit. There was a deep cut on his left cheek.  

How can I be so selfish?

There was an explosion in my home and all the guests I invited were affected but what did I do right after Ank reported that the situation was over?

I carried my wife, placed her in my car, and drove straight to the hospital without sympathizing with anyone.

I started walking toward Richard and we met halfway across in the hallway.

“How’s she?”

“Ho are you?” I demanded.

Richard sighed heavily. “Ank and I were able to fix the lights and luckily, there were no casualties. Just that some of the guests sustained injuries but they are on their way back to their homes now,”

I sighed in relief.

Richard held my arm. “Tell me, Michael. How is Madison?”

“I don’t know!” I sniffled.

He sighed.

“I don’t know what’s going on, Richard” I began to pace.

“I spoke to Ank. He said something about a mercenary group storming the house. Ank and his team killed some of them while the others were scarred with injuries. He’s currently running an investigation with Tony and I’m certain the bastards responsible will be held accountable,” Richard supplied.

“Mercenaries, why would they try to attack my home?” I asked in frustration.

“Do you think whether Frazier..

“No!” I quickly interjected. “I don’t think so,”

The door to the emergency unit opened and I immediately turned around. Richard came running after me.

Dr. Magdalene stepped out.

“How is she?”

“She’s alive but is in quite a delicate state right now,” she replied.

“What do you mean by that?” I retorted.

“I think she suffered from shock because she’s currently exhibiting shock tendencies and right now, I advise that you let her be. You must desist from any form of emotional confrontation,” Dr. Magdalene said.

I sighed.

“She’s terrified Michael and after the experience she’s had in the past, I’m afraid she can’t handle any other shock after this,”