Chapter 4 Nightmare

It was the man from the ice cream shop, I was trying to gather my head around what was really going on and what this stranger from the shop was doing at my house, when one of the men gave my dad a resounding slap.

Dad fell on his back while I rushed towards him

"Dad are you okay?"

Dad held me so close to him as though he was protecting me from the danger in the room

"I'm good honey, dont worry it will soon be over".

The man from the ice cream shop walked close to dad and asked him

"Where the heck is my money?"

Dad opened his mouth to say something and all I could hear was please dont hurt us. I was so angry at the man that brought my dad to his lowest point .

"Get the hell away from us".

He gave me one good look and signaled his men to grab me. I kicked and wriggled all in vain, the size of the man grabbing me was 3 times my size and his chest muscle was thick and broad as a wall.

"Please, I beg you don't hurt my daughter, I can't loose her also".

"I will do anything you want but please don't hurt her".

The inferno boiling inside me, I could have sworn would burn him to the ground with only his ashes as his remains".

"You ran away with my money thinking I wouldn't find you right?"

That was when it dawned on me that the real reason we left New York was not to get a fresh start but we are actually on the run.

"I didn't run with your money please, I was going to pay you back once I have your money, My wife's sickness drained us of everything we had and yet we couldn't save her, I can assure you sir I will get your money please".

"From where exactly are you going to get the money from?"

He looked at our apartment with disdain, "how exactly do you intend to pay me? I told you that no one crosses me and i have come to collect my debt".

"I will never dream to cross you but if you will just give me a little more time, I will get your money ready for you sir".

He gave an evil smirk and walked right towards me

"Please don't touch her".

There I was standing face to face with the man I later learnt his name is Mace Hunter, the billionaire cartel Leader of New York city. Mom chemotherapy really took a plunge into our family finances and dad became desperate and determined to save his wife that he became indebted to the devil himself.

"I'm not going back without my money and since you can't pay back, I will just have to take my pound of flesh, You have a beautiful daughter here, I will take her as mine, consider that payment for your debt".

"No no no, not her, take me instead, she has nothing to do with this".

"Oh, but she has everything to do with it, Have you not heard of the the sins of the father visiting the children?"

"Please, just take me instead".

"And of what use will you be to me?"

I watched on with tears in my eyes as dad escaped from the grasp of the people holding him down. Hitting him in the balls with his knee

"Matilda, Honey I'm here".

Dad rushed towards me but was yanked off mid way getting to me. Mace Hunter has grown impatience and could no longer take my dad's fussing. He took out a gun and pointed it at my head

"Shut up and keep quiet, If you as much raise a finger, I will blow her brains out".

I could hear my heart racing so fast, the tears kept flowing so freely. Dad kept mute and didn't utter a word as I cried, placing his palm on his lips less he makes a sound and also loose his daughter. Mace Hunter walked towards me, the man I dreaded and hated the most,

"Matilda Hoult you can actually end all this, I don't want to kill you or your dad but would'nt mind doing it if you don't do as I say".

I looked at him with blood shot eyes as he kept smiling as he spoke

"Come with me and become mine as payment for the debt owed or I will kill your father".

I stood at the middle of a room, filled with light and yet it seems every where was pitch black, my whole world was coming to an end, my dreams of a sweet tender lover sweeping me off my feet and this is what I get. Then again my dad's life was actually at stake.

Whilst I was still in dilemma, a knock came at the door and Mace Hunter signaled his men to open the door and also be at alert, opening the door was grace standing at the other end.

I thought of many ways to warn her to leave but I know what will happen if I tried crossing him.

"Tilda, I forgot to give you this best friend bracelet that I bought earlier today".

I tried to put up a smile

"Oh! thanks Grace you can leave it on the counter, I will look at it later".

"Don't you like the bracelet".

"Of course I do, but you should get home now, is it not too late for you to be outside?"

Mace sat at the couch watching, as I tried to get my best friend out of our apartment, I can't have two most important people in my life be in danger. The devious bastard smiled as he told his men to shut the door.with Grace still bewildered at what was happening.

" Now Tilda where were we before the intrusion?"

"Come now Darling, what is your response, should I put an end to your dad's miserable life and your best friend's also or would you accept to pay off the debt by accepting my proposal?"

I stood there in pure dismay and dilemma

"Perhaps we should help her make a stand, fast".

He grabbed Grace and was choking her, her face turned red, her eyes was almost bulging out of its socket and tongue coming out and all this to get me accept his ridiculous proposal

"I accept your proposal, just don't hurt them please".

"No... No.... No... Matilda don't".

"Please Sir, just take me and leave my daughter".

He smiled and signaled his men to take me away.

"Please allow me say my goodbyes before you claim me".

My pleas fell on deaf ears, as he dragged me out.

"Nooooooo Matilda!, Dad kept on screaming my name".

Grace couldn't make head or tail what was going on but she sure knew she wouldn't be seeing me anymore. I could see both of them on the floor screaming and crying as they where held down . I was dragged off, I kicked and hit him in vain. He opened the limousine car door and put me in there, I tried fighting my way out to help my dad, he pinned me on the seat as he fastened the seat belt.

"Nooo!!........., Dad..........."

"Calm down sweetie, I could think of many things I will like to do to you".

Hearing his voice sent chills down my spine and his voice though calm but gets me scared the more. Alot of thoughts filled my mind. The more I thought about it the more scarier I get.