Hercules. He stood a reasonable distance away, yet one could easily see he was brawny. His well-defined muscles hugged his shirt that had a few bu

k are you?”

He repeated, his tone

hem free, but Pablo’s grip tightened even more. His colleague had rele

, but his words do not move this stranger, instead, they angered him. His stance grew even more rigid,

as his fingers cut deeper into my flesh. His colleague grunts before h

in. Pablo let go of me, grabbing his knife from his pockets with his arm mid-air to stab the stranger, but th

ning curses. I had to pinch myself to be sure this was real, that I wasn’t dreaming, or to remind myself that this isn’t

Pablo's eyes wid

ce remained cool while Pablo scurried to his feet, falling a few times back before ra

family if I don’t get my money. That’s a promise,”

e had turned a family of five to ashes in the past when they didn’t pay back the loan they owed him. I should be

ed tears that were beco

my arms that was red from Pablo’s grip. Asides from the redness, I’d also managed to sustain a gr

w the injury, a soft curse e

e from his. “Thank you, but I should hurry

my path “Not

napped them shut almost immediately. I have never met him before, ye

you know my name?” Fear a

. Relax, I’m not h

me didn’t ring any bell.

his throat and started again “Let’s say I

ssed that gave me the hunch to be wary of him. I didn’t trust him, even

ived downtown St. Matthew road for the last seven years. Most of your childhood was spent at Dawson. Recently graduated from high school. Your family is in deep me

he more he spoke, the more I am reminded of how much mess we are in and Pablo’s threat ringing somewhere at the back of my head.

ow

What matters is why,” He smiled devilishly, “M

our help. We n

Marcel? He reeked of wealth and affluence. His skin looked tough

And what are yo

features as if I had just insulted the m

ne Marcel being under anyone’s command, or serving anybody which is why I grew more skeptical about him. I should flee from his presence this very minute, but he knows my address.

raise that sum in a hundred years by moping grounds and cleaning toilets. Your sister desires to go to college so bad, and you can make her happy by paying the price. Don’t you get

words and just go with him. This isn’t some sort of movie

You have to

d again, the frown r

lo, he would not hesitate to turn your family to ashes, or even abduct you and Audrey

w “That’s a crue

truth Aria,” his gaze held mi

n’t shown up, Pablo would have carted me away, and I wouldn’t be able to fi

ou only have to d

to shove him out of my

t to my mothe

sighs, finally stepping out o