【Ｔｈｅｒｅ】 was a sudden knock on the door. Peering down at my phone, it was 10:50 pm already. I looked up at my parents tilting my head to the side.

"That's strange... Are we expecting company at this hour?" I questioned. My parents quietly eyed each other as my father started to fidget slightly in his seat.

My dad quickly got up heading towards the door. "I'll get it. Don't worry sweety" he said softly. At the corner of my eye, I see my mom in a full blown panic. She was pacing back and forth lost in her thoughts. I noticed her hand turning yellow from holding her coffee cup too tightly. The room was so quiet; I could hear her uncontrollable breathing. Hopping out of my seat, I put one hand on her back and the other on her arm.

"It's going to be okay. Dad has it all under control." I said as a I stroke her back trying to ease her jittery nerves. I kept my eyes at the door as I pulled up two chairs for both of us to sit. As my dad slowly opened the door, two gentlemen in dark cloaks walked in. Judging from the looks, they did not look like any ordinary clients my dad usually takes. Both wore a long pitch black trench coat that had a hood draped over their mysterious faces. Both were incredibly well built, but not the extremely bulky type. The two men stood about 6ft tallish? As my eyes made their way further down, I stopped.

Holy shit! Why are they covered in weapons? Is that a blade on one of the guy's thighs and a revolver in his back pocket? I scanned the second guy who stood behind him. I felt my heart jump as I caught him looking my way. He showed absolutely no emotion whatsoever.

As the time slowly ticked by, the atmosphere grew heavier. I slowly scooted over to my mom nudging her with my elbow. "This doesn't feel right mom. My spidey senses are tingling and it is telling me that this is a no go." I whispered to her.

Calm down Scarlet. Just relax. This is probably just another business talk with a UNIQUE client. Just calm down. Deep breaths. 

"Would you gentlemen like anything to eat or dri—”

Right before my dad could finish his sentence, he was rudely interrupted by one of the most huskiest voices I ever heard.

"Your time is up. Cut the shit and quit stalling. We are here for one thing only. Give her to us!"

What? The fuck you mean? WHO? It took me a minute before I could process what he surely meant. I jumped out of my stool yelling at the top of my lungs.

"We are not handing my mom over to you freaks!"

"You stupid, naive little girl." One of them said with such venom in his voice. The two men chuckled to themselves as if they've heard one of the funniest jokes.

What the hell do they want with me? I grew alarmed as both of the cloaked men approached me. The moment felt as if I was the prey ready to be eaten alive. The wolves stalked closer, soon trapping me. My back was already pressed against the wall against my will as I searched the room helplessly. My parents were on the other side, huddled in the corner not daring to look at their very own daughter in the eye.

"Mom! Dad!” I dashed in between the gap of the two men trying to reach out to grab my mom's arm. I didn't realize that one of them had grabbed my wrist. He suddenly jerked it with such force that I flew backwards landing on my coccyx. My mind was spinning too fast. I couldn't comprehend nor catch the sudden turn of events.

As I was lying helplessly on the floor trying to regain consciousness, I felt the weight of the world on my chest. As I blankly opened my eyes, he had his whole knee pinned on my middle body crushing whatever air I had left. I crazily thrashed and flailed my arms and legs. Mustering whatever energy I had left, I dealt a heavy blow to the guy's stomach. As he flew back, his hood came down revealing his face encased in scars. One that caught my eye was one that ran from the side of his forehead to his lip. His blue eyes pierced into mine staring deeply into my soul. Wait. One eye? What the hell happened to his other eye? My eyes darted down the side of his neck. Are those tattoos? Runic? They kinda look oddly familiar… I thought to myself.

"Let us get moving Nigel. We're running out of time." The hooded man said in a thick Australian accent.

Bawling my eyes out, I searched my parents' face for a sign of emotion. "Momma! Why are you letting this happen?!” My dad lowered his head as he wrapped his arms around his wife.

"I’m sorry Scarlet. I hope you understand the situation you're in..." His voice trailed off as he looked away as well.

A second passed by and I felt something prick the side of my neck. Not too long, my limbs grew numb as my sight started to give out. My vision started getting cloudy as I struggled to keep my balance. My mouth became really parched as I could barely let any sound out. I felt weak. Powerless. I thought I was being delusional because I could've sworn someone faintly murmured "Sorry Scar" in my ear.

"I hate you!" was the only thing I managed to wheeze out before fading into darkness.