CHAPTER 60: One Word Away From Death

CHAPTER 60: One Word Away From Death
CHAPTER 60
SOFIA.

I said nothing as I maintained my gaze on him, pondering on his words. I shook my head rapidly, refusing to accept his promise.

“I don't believe you,” I said suddenly, shaking my head in disbelief. “I refuse to allow myself to be deceived by you one more time.”

He took a quick glance forward at the checkpoint, his eyes flickering nervously. He turned back to face me, speaking in hushed tones.

“Look, Sofia. At this point I'm not doing anything in loyalty to you or Isadora. I'm going to do what I want to do because I owe Lucas a debt, which I intend to repay,” Collins said, his voice low and cold. “So it's up to you to choose to trust me or not, but right now, I'm not going to let Isadora win.”

Outside the van, I could hear Isadora's voice as she spoke to the police officers, her voice light as she related to them in Italian. Collins reached out to the backseat, watching Isadora through the windshield, and he completely pulled the gag away from my face leaving it hanging on my neck.

“Quick, get to the floor,” He said, his voice sounding urgent.

“What?” I replied, puzzled.

“Get off the backseat. Slide down to the floor,” Collins repeated, his voice in a silent whisper. I obeyed him and slid down to the floor of the van and I quickly grabbed the keys he had passed to me earlier, unlocking the cuffs and setting myself free.

“Officers, you have to let me go, I have an important errand to run for my father,” I heard Isadora say, as she tried to placate the police officers. “Io sono la figlia di Don Marcello e lui mi sta aspettando.”

“You do know it's very late to be on the road now, ma'am?” The police officer said. “Vogliamo solo perquisire il tuo veicolo, tutto qui.”

“Look, officers. I don't have time for all that. Here, have this and let us continue on our journey, please.” Isadora said, then paused as she slid some currency bills into their hands. I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me as the police officers stepped aside, granting her free passage. She returned to the van, slamming the door shut as she settled into the passenger seat.

“Let's move!” Isadora ordered and Collins started the ignition, revving the engine and speeding off into the night, the tires making screeching sounds on the road.

I lay still on the floor as I racked my brains on what to do next, and suddenly an idea came to my mind. Gently, I reached for the cloth tied around my legs. My grip tightened around it as I carefully sought the loop, gradually loosening the knot that was made round it. I rose carefully without a sound and without thinking further, I put the fabric over Isadora's neck, tightening my grip as I yanked her head back against the headrest. She struggled with my hold, clawing at the cloth in panic, but I held on tighter, my grip going firmer on the fabric as I held it behind the headrest.

“Let go of me,” she said, pleading amidst the choking sounds she made. I ignored her pleas, turning to Collins and speaking to him instead.

“Don't stop, keep driving,” I said, then turned to her. “Why did you have me abducted? And where were you taking me to?” I asked, speaking directly into her ears.

She said nothing as she kept struggling, trying to break free from my hold. I lifted my hands to her neck, giving her wrists a sharp blow and she winced in pain, hurriedly taking her hands off her neck. “I'll make sure to have you strangled to death here and now if you don't start talking. I don't make empty threats either, so speak! Now!”

“Sofia,” Collin’s called out, panic evident in his voice. I glanced back momentarily— from the corner of my eye I could see him watching me through the rearview mirror. His eyes held a state of worry, nervousness and uncertainty in them.

“I think you should— shit.” He swerved, narrowly missing a vehicle that had switched lanes.

Ignoring him, I tightened my grip around Isadora’s neck, anger coursing through my veins in wild torrents. She had tried to outsmart me the moment she sensed my distraction and the last thing I wanted was for her to regain control in such a critical moment.

“You might kill her.” His voice trembled as he spoke.

I willed myself not to turn my head to face him.

He was right.

The rage in me was uncontrolled and if I was not careful, I could be blinded by it and end up killing her. As much as I wanted to loosen my grip on her neck, it seemed almost impossible.

Suddenly, the car jerked to a stop. Isadora choked even harder, her eyes bulging out of it’s sockets. I let go of her neck, my chest heaving as her body spasmed, convulsing with a violent coughing fit.

“Don’t stop!” I yelled at him but he did not turn the key in the ignition. He simply sat there, as though debating whether to listen to me or not.

“Tell me who sent you?” I hissed at her sharply, letting go of the part of my conscience that wanted me to make sure she was alright.

She won’t have mercy if the roles were reversed, a voice in my head said.

“I…” She was weak now, gasping for air and unable to speak properly. “I…”

“Speak!” I screeched, punching her in the stomach mercilessly. “

Collins reached over from the driver’s seat and tried to pull me away from her, but I resisted.

“I’d fucken kill you Isadora,” I said through gritted teeth. “The truth! Now!”

Freeing myself from Collins grip, I held her face, my eyes boring into her red rimmed ones.

“Unit 13,” she gasped, tears cascading down her cheeks. “They promised me a huge reward once I had you handed over to them.”

I froze, my eyes widening in shock. “Unit 13?”