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The scarred man, who I now know is called Volkov, seems to be the one in charge. He flicks his wrist, motioning to the bowl. “I’ll give you something you never gave me, Mr. Woods. You were a coward when you bombed my daughter’s wedding. You show no remorse for taking her life, for taking the life of my son and wife.” He covers his mouth, needing a moment to compose himself and I can see the grief clearly etched into the lines of his face.
Josh hurt this man?
My big brother … my hero took people’s lives?
Horrified, my eyes dart to Josh. The last bit of spit in my mouth dries up and my tongue feels heavy. I take in a shuddering breath and feel the chain bite into my neck. It reminds me of the horrible position I’m in, of the hopeless situation my family is in – all because of something Josh did to this man.
Before I can try to process what my brother has done, the man continues, “You will find four items in the bowl, Mr. Woods. Choose one.”
Josh shakes his head. “I won’t choose,” he sobs.
Dmitri shoves the bowl into Josh’s face and growls at him.
“Choose, Mr. Woods, or your family will die the same way mine did.”
A hopeless sound escapes Josh’s throat, and in horror I hear him whisper, “Blade.”
My left foot twists painfully as it gives way. For a frightful moment the chain rips the breath right from my lungs. My fingers dig into the steel as I try to pull it away from my throat. A hoarse cry escapes my lips but I finally manage to find my footing again, giving myself the precious inch I need to suck in the life-giving air. My left foot is burning with a sharp pain, but I force myself to remain standing on it. I don’t want to be suffocated again.
I’m so confused and scared. It feels as if my perfect life has been blown apart and I can’t make sense of all the pieces left in the chaos.
I’ve forgotten about the huge man who hit me until he comes from somewhere behind me. He walks towards Dad and then the gleam of the knife in his right hand grabs my attention.
“Please don’t!” Josh starts to beg. “Kill me anyway you want to, just please … don’t hurt them.”
“No,” the word is a harsh breath over my lips as the realization hits hard. The man is going to kill Dad.
I once heard that hope is the heartbeat of the soul. Whoever wrote that is so very wrong.
Hope gives you a false sense of security.
Hope lets you live in denial.
Hope sets you up for the fall.
Hope only prolongs the suffering.
