[GIOSEFFO]
While she was busy talking, I seized the opportunity to grab the gun from her male companion. My hands weren’t tied, so I was still able to move.
“You, little punk!” the woman exclaimed, aiming the gun at me. “Haven’t your parents taught you to let your elders finish speaking? I’m sure the Locatelli family won’t even know you’ll be killed; we’ll still get what we need from them even if we shoot you now.”
She was about to pull the trigger when Grandma Nora quickly rose to intercept the bullet meant for me. The gun discharged, and Grandma Nora was hit. I froze in place as I felt her blood splatter on my face, and she slowly collapsed onto the floor.
“You old hag, you want to play the hero, huh? Then, die!” The woman continued to shoot at Grandma Nora in front of me. I felt like I had lost my senses. The man grabbed the gun and pushed me to the ground.
Now, I was facing Grandma. She was lifeless, but it seemed like her wide-open eyes were staring at me. I trembled, not out of fear, but out of intense anger.
They killed my grandmother!
I heard the woman’s loud laughter, probably in response to my reaction. “Kid, you think you can outsmart me?” She toyed with the gun in her hand before sighing. “Let’s go.”
I studied the woman’s face carefully, etching it into my memory. I swore to myself that I would never forget that face.
I sat on one side, hugging my knees. I remembered my grandmother’s bloodied face when the woman killed her. I gritted my teeth. I hadn’t felt this kind of rage since the day I was born, I think it was the first time. Following the anger, a wave of sadness washed over me because my grandma was gone, all because she protected me.
I couldn’t stay here. I didn’t know if my family was searching for me, but I knew I had to take action. They had a plan, and they would take me to a place where my family might not easily find us. That woman was something else, perhaps a strategist, just like my father.
Perhaps fueled by my anger, I managed to break free from that room. When the guards entered earlier, I attacked them immediately. I took their guns and shot them in places where they’d die instantly. I didn’t hesitate to open fire on anyone I encountered. I couldn’t feel anything except anger.
It felt like even if I were shot now, I wouldn’t feel the pain. It was as if my senses were all numbed, and what moved me was just an intense rage. That’s why I always kept my emotions in check. They said I turned into a ruthless monster when I let my emotions run wild.
I had no idea where the exit was. I just kept walking, letting my feet take me wherever they pleased.
As I passed by a room, someone was just a step away from me. I nearly shot them if they hadn’t spoken and I recognized their voice.
“Gio,” they called my name.
I snapped back to reality and immediately turned to see who had a hold of me. They released me, and I looked at them closely.
“Grandpa…” It was Grandpa Reuben! I didn’t expect to see him here. “Does this mean Dad is here too?”
He was dressed in what looked like gear and attire of the people who had kidnapped me, likely in disguise to avoid detection by the enemy.
“Shh, keep quiet. Someone might hear us,” he warned, giving me a thorough look and sighing. “Where’s your Grandma Nora?”
I almost forgot about Grandma Nora because my mind was blank. As I said, the only thing on my mind was taking down anyone who tried to stop me.
“Grandma…” That’s when I remembered her lifeless eyes, staring at me. I choked up and looked at Grandpa.
I kept shaking my head as if still denying it to myself.
“They shot Grandma. All because she protected me. If I hadn’t fought back earlier, maybe Grandma wouldn’t have been shot.”
I saw Grandpa Reuben pause, and he seemed to have trouble breathing. I even noticed his lips quiver as if he wanted to say something but held back.
Finally, he closed his eyes and clenched his lips.
Grandpa remained silent for a while. I watched his expression, and I could see the intense pain he was trying to hide in his eyes.
“We need to get out of here. We’re in an underground facility, and it’s hard to detect. I’ve already sent a message to your father. They might be on their way. Let’s escape before we get caught.”
I had many questions about how Grandpa got here or how he managed to find us since he mentioned it’s not easy to locate. But it’s Reuben Locatelli we’re talking about. He can find out almost anything and come up with any solution.
I breathed a sigh of relief because I knew I was safe as long as I was with Grandpa.
We left the room and searched for an exit. As we made our way, we didn’t encounter anyone. It was strange, as if all the staff had suddenly disappeared.
I could tell that Grandpa also sensed something was off, as I noticed the furrow on his forehead. He knew something was amiss.
“Hello, Mr. Reuben Locatelli!” We stopped running when we heard a woman’s voice on the speaker. “I am happy that you made a visit, but if you think you can escape from here, you are mistaken.”
I gripped my grandpa’s hand tightly.
“The gear you are wearing was designed by me. I’m not just the strategist of the Belleza family; I’m also known for developing bombs. That’s why they had a hard time letting me go.” The woman laughed as if she were enjoying the situation. “What you’re wearing now, that’s a ticking bomb. You have 10 minutes to live with your grandchild before the bomb explodes, and no, you can’t defuse the bomb or remove the gear. The moment you took it from our men and put it on, the bomb activated. It was designed for that purpose, to prevent us from using our equipment just to pretend to be part of us and deceive us.”
I glanced at Grandpa’s gear. At first glance, you wouldn’t have thought it was like that.
“But you still have a chance to live. You both will remain here as our hostages. I can use you to blackmail Agatone Locatelli and get what we want. But if you refuse to follow my order, then, please greet Satan for me.”