Page 23 of They Found Us (Found #5)

Katie

After the boys have been asleep for a while, I feel tired myself, so I also get into bed.

My thoughts go to Leo. I hope everything gets sorted with the Martelé. I don’t want to have to live in fear for the rest of my life. I know there will always be risks with Leo being who he is, but if we don’t have a death warrant hanging over our heads, I will feel a lot better.

Although I am incredibly tired, I just can’t sleep.

After checking the boys are okay, I go downstairs and find Alga in the laundry room.

It’s a large room with two industrial-size washing machines and tumble dryers.

There is one on each side of the room. On the left side, they are white, and those are what I use whenever I’m washing our clothes.

On the opposite side are black machines.

These are strictly for work clothes. I’ve seen the mess some of the clothes are in when they go into those machines, and I’m grateful we have separate ones.

Alga is at the back of the room, steaming some white shirts.

She is the reason all the Guerra men look so pristine.

“Alga,” I call, making her jump a little. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

“Oh, Katie dear, I was in a world of my own.” Alga takes so much pride in her work. She’s like everyone’s mother, ensuring everyone is looked after. “I thought you were all asleep.”

“I’m really tired, but I couldn’t settle.”

“Come on, I’m finished here now. Let’s have a cup of tea.” Alga puts her hand gently on my back and leads me into the kitchen.

“Shouldn’t you be getting to bed? It’s very late,” I say as she puts on the kettle, and I get the cups out of the cabinet.

“Oh, I don’t need much sleep these days. I’d rather be up doing things. There’ll be plenty of time to sleep when I’m dead.” She chuckles while putting the teabags in the cups.

“I know, but you mustn’t do too much. I don’t know what any of us would do without you, so you must look after yourself.” I make a mental note to myself to speak to Leo about not working her so hard. I know we’ve been away for years, but she has aged a lot and looks much thinner than she used to.

“Thank you. But honestly, I’m fine. I’ll have this drink, then get off. Now, you tell me all about little Zander and Mark. What was he like as a baby?” We sit down at the table with our drinks.

“When we had Mark, we were living in a little bubble. It feels like a dream now, thinking back. I had found out I was pregnant not long after arriving at the island, and we were so happy. I had the perfect pregnancy, Leo was so protective of me, doing everything. He wouldn’t let me lift a finger.

The birth was perfect, a quick natural delivery with Leo by my side the whole time, unlike Zander’s.

” I continue to explain how perfect the start of Mark’s life was, leaving the trauma of Zander’s delivery for another time.

“We lived in a lovely family home that Leo and I renovated ourselves, and Leo had the grounds turned into orchards and beautiful gardens. On our first anniversary there, Leo bought me some chickens, something I had always wanted. Our days were filled with family time, walking on the beautiful beaches, and spending time in our home. Mark had both his mummy and papa with him 24/7, and as parents we did everything fifty-fifty. Leo is an amazing father.”

Alga’s face is full of pride. She has always thought of him as more than a boss.

After about half an hour of me talking about our time on the island and Alga thoroughly enjoying every word, I say, “I’m feeling tired now. I think I’ll go back to bed.” More for Alga’s benefit really. I want her to get some rest because I know she will be back here at the crack of dawn.

“Yes, you get off to bed. I’ll just finish a couple of things in the laundry room, and then I’ll get to bed too.”

“Well, don’t be long. You work too hard.” I kiss Alga good night on the cheek and go back to my room.

When I return to our bedroom, I feel like something is off. I check on Zander, who is still fast asleep in his cot beside our bed. Then I notice that the door that joins Mark’s room to ours is closed. I’m sure I left it open. I always do, so that if he wakes in the night, he can find his way to us.

I quickly open his door and enter his room, which is in complete darkness now lit only by the dim light coming from our room. Again, I’m certain I left Mark’s night light on.

When I reach Mark’s bedside, I thankfully find him still asleep.

Sitting with him a moment, I stroke his head, trying to work out what might have happened.

Maybe in my tiredness, I turned out his light and shut the door.

It’s the only explanation, as it’s only me and Alga in the house, and Alga is downstairs.

But there’s a tug in my gut that just won’t let my brain explain it away.

When I’m happy Mark is content, I leave his side and switch on his night light.

That is when I notice the eyes.

Wide eyes staring at me, watching my every move.

A gasp escapes my lips.

A chill runs down my body.

A very large, haunted-looking man stands in Mark’s bedroom by the door.

“Wh-what are you doing in h-here?” I demand, stumbling over my words.

But the man just stares at me intimidatingly.

“You need to leave. You shouldn’t be in here.”

I’m sure he is one of the Guerra guards. In fact, I recognise him now as one of the guards who met us off the plane. I remember his cold stare. Still there is no response.

“Get out!” I scream in panic, emotion filling my voice.

This gets a slight smirk in response. “I will be leaving soon. But I will be taking your son.”

I feel sick. I rush forward to stand between him and Mark. “You are not taking my son anywhere.”

The smirk on his face grows. “Yes. I am.”

“Get out now, while you still can. Leo will be home soon, and he will kill you for being in here.”

There’s slight amusement in his tone when he says, “Leo is on his way back. But they won’t be here in time.”

Standing firmly, I think of my options. I don’t know whether there is a gun or weapon up here.

I don’t even have my phone with me. All the guards have gone apart from this one.

Although, I think there will be someone at the gated entrance.

Then I feel the baby monitor in my pocket.

That could help. It has a two-way voice control.

If I can switch it on, there may be a chance Alga is still here.

She might hear it and then alert someone.

With his terrorising stare that hasn’t left me for a moment, I know he will notice me fumbling around in my dressing gown pocket. I need to turn around and distract him.

“You are not taking my son.” I say firmly as I turn and get on the bed next to Mark. Quickly, I put my hand in my pocket and turn on the button, praying I’ve pressed the right one.

When I turn back to look at him, he makes me jump with how close he his. My face is met with the barrel of a gun.

“Please don’t take my son. Please just leave. Get out of my son’s room. Please don’t hurt my baby.” I scream everything I tell him, hoping that the monitor picks it up.

Unfortunately, my loudness starts to wake Mark.

I do not want him waking up to this nightmare.

It will scar him for life. Wrapping my body around him so he can’t see the horrifying reality of what’s happening in his room, I start to sing his favourite nursery rhymes as gently and happily as a I can to settle him back to sleep.

Thankfully, he does, but unfortunately the nightmare still continues.

I can feel the presence of the man close behind me.

When I turn to look at him, he has a confused expression on his face.

“Please just leave us alone,” I beg.

And then his smirk returns. “I will when you hand over your son.”

“Never,” I cry, holding on to my first baby.

“I will take the other one, then.” He goes to leave the room.

“No!” I cry, leaving Mark and sprinting to the door to stand in his way. Standing firm, I try and act strong, but my emotion takes over and my words again come out in a cry. “You will not be taking either of my sons anywhere.”

Now he begins to laugh. “Do you really think you can stop me?”

He pushes past me, throwing me to the floor. I scramble up instantly, fighting my way to Zander in the other room.

Again he laughs at my desperate actions. “You choose. This one…” He points his gun at Zander.

My chest becomes tight, and a wail leaves my throat. “No!” I cry.

“Or that one?” He points his gun at Mark’s door.

My heart is racing, and I’m starting to feel dizzy. I need to protect my children. I need help. “Please!” I beg and slump to my knees, not knowing what else to do other than pray help arrives soon.

“I will take the older one.” He moves back towards Mark’s door.

I instantly dive towards him and grab on to his leg. He bursts into laugher again, watching me trying to stop his huge, heavy frame. He continues to walk, my attachment making no restriction to his movements.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Alga at the door. Hoping she can read the situation, I continue to hang on to his leg and let him pull me into Mark’s room. If she can get Zander out of the picture, I can try and protect Mark.

Once we are in Mark’s room, I scramble up and fight him, using every bit of strength I have.

I’m trained in self-defence. I have been taught how to use someone’s strength against them.

I perform a palm heel strike to his face.

He is shocked by my strength—I can see it in his face.

But it’s not enough. Unfortunately, with him being so much taller than me, I couldn’t get enough power behind the blow.

I then give him a front kick to his groin.

It definitely hurts him, so I take the opportunity to go for his gun.

I grab his arm at the wrist, spin the gun away from me, then kick him again in the groin.

He buckles a little, but he doesn’t let go.

An almighty roar then leaves his throat.

Standing tall again, he grabs me by the throat with his other hand, making me instantly let go of his arm.

My hands go to his in an attempt to release his tight grip.

He lifts me almost off the ground by my neck.

I’m panicking from the lack of oxygen. I can’t breathe.

He then slams me into the nearby wall and presses the barrel of the gun into my temple. “I will kill you first and then take both of them. Or you behave, and I let you and one of your sons live.” His face is pure evil when speaks.

I can’t reply. I’m seconds away from passing out.

My eyes glaze over with tears of absolute fear for my children.

Just before I fall unconscious, he releases my neck.

I drop to the floor. My chest expands instantly, fighting for oxygen.

My adrenaline kicks in, and I’m up on my feet while coughing and gasping for air.

On unstable legs and with blurry vision, I force myself to get to Mark.

The vile man laughs at my efforts. But then stops. His attention perks up, and his eyes dart to the door. From our room, we hear Zander let out a little cry. The man storms to the door, and I just hope Alga has gotten away or that someone else is here.

“Stop right there!” The evil man demands when he exits Mark’s room and continues into ours.

I follow him, and my heart sinks when I see Alga still in there with Zander in her arms, rushing to get away.

“Put him down, or I will shoot both of them!”

Alga stops, but she doesn’t turn around. She holds Zander to her chest.

I can barely hold it together as a gun is pointed at my son. My breathing is erratic and panicked. All I can do is beg. “Please, kill me. Just don’t harm my babies, please.”

Slowly he turns to me, pointing the gun at my head. His face again has a wicked smile. Tilting his head to the side, he says, “I will kill you, and then I will take them both.”

Alga takes the chance and runs to the door. But his reactions are faster. He shoots in their direction. I hear Alga drop to the floor.

The noise pierces my ears as much as the pain explodes in my heart. “My baby.”

Another shot is fired. Now I hear Zander cry.

He is still alive. I look in desperation.

Alga is on her knees, hunched over Zander.

Dark crimson fills her white blouse. She tries desperately to move.

The vile guard just watches her as if he enjoys her struggle.

Taking the opportunity, I quickly push myself up and dive on to him with as much strength as I can.

Astonishingly I manage to knock him off balance.

In his moment of distraction, I caught him off guard.

Fighting with all my might, I try to wrestle the gun from his hands.

“Alga?”

Sergio’s voice fills me with some hope.

“Sergio, quickly, please.” But in my hope, I lose focus, then I’m overpowered and thrown across the room as he stands.

When I look in the direction of the door, Sergio has hold of Zander and disappears into the hallway. Alga lies lifeless on the floor. Again, I throw myself at the guard, grabbing on to his shirt, begging and pleading for him to leave my children alone. But I am no match for him.

He turns quickly, throwing an elbow to my face, and I drop to the floor.

My head then is met by his boot. There’s a sharp piercing crack as my eyes blur.

No, stay awake, Katie. You must stay awake and save your children.

Rolling onto my front, I push myself up, trying to get on to my knees.

My heart sinks as I watch him leave the room, and I hear another loud, sharp, explosive sound that is becoming all too familiar.

“Mummy.”

Mark’s voice has my stomach turning. He cannot see this nightmare.

I quickly run into his room, lift him out of bed, and put him in his wardrobe.

“We are going to play a game, okay? Like hide and seek.” I speak swiftly and clearly.

Mark’s tired eyes try and focus on me in the darkness.

“You hide in here and don’t come out until either me, Papa, or someone you know finds you. Okay? Can you do that for Mummy?”

Mark rubs his eyes and nods. I grab his iPad and headphones off his bedside table.

“You can watch In the Night Garden while you wait.” Thankfully Mark is happy with this.

I quickly cover his ears and turn the volume up high.

I close the door and pray he doesn’t come out.

I then return to the other room just as the evil man does.