Chapter 73

As I carefully made my way down the dimly lit hallway trying to see in the dark something unusual and shocking suddenly grabbed my attention. It was such a disturbing sight that it sent chills running through my entire body.

There on the floor, a figure was lying in a way that made it clear something terrible had happened. I felt my breath catch in my throat and a wave of fear washed over me making it hard to think straight.

As I turned the corner I couldn't help but gasp in shock and disbelief when I saw who it was. It was the elderly maid Maria. She was struggling to pull herself across the cold hard floor and as she moved she was leaving a trail of bright red blood behind her.

“Maria!” I cried out with a tight feeling in my throat as I hurried toward her. My heart felt like it was shattering into pieces and I could feel tears starting to fill my eyes. “Oh God no please don’t let this be happening!”

Her eyes looked into mine and I could see that they were full of deep pain. Yet there was also a small glimmer of something familiar as if she recognized me in some way.

“Iris my dear…” she struggled to say her voice so quiet that it was almost a whisper. When I saw her in such distress my heart ached and I felt like my spirit was breaking because of her suffering.

“What happened to you? Who did this to you?” My voice shook with emotion as I dropped down to the floor next to her. Without thinking I pulled her weak body into my arms.

I was trying my best to stop the bleeding by pressing down on the wound that was leaking bright red blood all over the carpet. The beautiful carpet was now ruined and stained with the evidence of a terrible event that had turned our once safe and comforting space into a scene of horror.

“Campani…” Maria gasped for air her breathing coming in shallow strained breaths that were difficult for her to manage. “He… he has taken Dahlia… as a hostage. His men… they shot me.”

“No no no…” I shook my head from side to side unable to believe what I was hearing. Tears began to flow down my cheeks and it felt like they were my way of pleading for the world to come to a stop and stop being so cruel. “Where is Raf? Did he leave us?”

“Raf… he went after Campani. But…” As I heard those words I could see the pain etched on Maria's face and it made my heart feel even heavier almost like a big stone was stuck deep inside my chest weighing me down. “I am really worried that he might be outnumbered and unable to handle the situation…”

“No no no—please stay with me alright? I am calling for help right now.” The idea of losing her as well was something that I simply could not handle or even imagine.

In a state of complete panic, I rushed to grab my phone. My hands were shaking so much that it was difficult to dial the number for an ambulance. As I spoke my voice trembled with fear and desperation.

I said, “There’s someone who has been shot… and it’s happening at Raf’s house… please you have to hurry.” My tone was filled with urgency as if the whole world depended on what I was saying.

Before they had the chance to gather any more details or ask me more questions I quickly ended the call. I then turned around to face Maria and a strong feeling of regret overwhelmed me.

“I’m sorry about this but I need to leave right now,” I said softly my heart filled with fear that wrapped around it like a snake poised to attack.

“Iris... please don't go away...” Maria said with a deep breath her voice filled with pain and sorrow that made my stomach feel uneasy and tight.

“I promise I will return soon,” I said urgently carefully turning her body onto her side so that I could apply pressure to her wound. “Please just hang in there and try to stay strong all right?” I needed her to keep holding on.

“Iris you can’t—”

“I have to do this!” I shouted my voice filled with desperation. “You need help! You have to hold on for a bit longer until they arrive.” I said feeling a deep sense of worry.

I forced myself to take a step back toward the door and the heavy feeling of the choice I was making washed over me like a giant wave.

I hurried back to the car as quickly as I could my breath coming in quick gasps. I felt a surge of panic that made every part of me feel excited and on edge as I climbed into the driver’s seat.

The inside of the car which used to feel so familiar and comfortable now felt strange and unsettling. It was filled with memories of sadness and feelings of being let down by those I trusted.

My heart was pounding rapidly in my chest moving in a way that felt out of control and wild as I struggled with a swirl of thoughts in my mind.

It was like a storm was raging threatening to blow away any sense of peace or calm that I might have had left.

I drove my car without any direction feeling a heavy pressure building in my chest. My mind was filled with a mix of fear and confusion.

I needed to get away from everything and clear my head but as my feelings of desperation grew stronger I suddenly found myself stopping in a quiet and forgotten alleyway.

The car came to a sudden stop and I just sat there in complete silence not able to think or move for what seemed like a very long time.

“Why is this happening to me?” I exclaimed loudly feeling overwhelmed and upset. I hit my hands against the dashboard of the car in a mix of frustration anger and deep sadness. “What is it that they want from me?”

Each time my hands hit the hard surface it felt like it was echoing the chaos and pain swirling inside me. Tears were flowing down my cheeks making it hard to see as I tried to understand the terrible nightmare that had taken away everyone I loved.

I felt like I was losing all that mattered to me and I knew I had to find a way to fight back before it completely consumed me and made me lose myself forever…