With the fast approaching steps, Alixies swiftly crept down the corridor as quiet as she could and spontaneously ducked into a short hall that led to a number of rooms which seemed like a cluster of classrooms of which she hid behind a corner~ her twinkling blue eyes and brown curls instinctively peeked out from her hideout.
Halfway through the corridor, she noticed two men approaching the room which Hansel had kept Ben but then, what caught her eyes made her gasp and her lower lips instinctively quivered. She was petrified with fear~ her brows wet with invisible sweat and her knees felt numb as she held on her breath with a horrified gaze.
" Oh.... those kids" Her voice trembled and as if on an impulse. " No, this can't be- don't tell me you also deal in selling of kids as well, Mr Hansel."
A lot seem to be rushing through Alixies thoughts now with the sudden appearance of the three kids. Not really having any idea how related they were to the Hansels or the issue, she definitely knew their safety weren't guaranteed either. Sure the men had walked by, a distance ahead, she secretly crept after them~ making sure she wasn't noticed.
*************
At the hospital, Drake was attending to a call when he noticed Delia's hand suddenly move in a flash~with that, he's attention spontaneously drifted off to her as he hung up the call.
"Honey.... here, i'm here " He stuttered just when her eyes flickered open. She looked so pale and weak, considering her state.On noticing him, a wearily faint smile swept over her face which instinctively brought a sense of life to her blood drained face. She looked around her and to her surprise, she was in a bed and still alive with an intravenous drip, hanging over her head.
" Hey, you're finally awake" He stated for which he cheerfully brushed his hand over her hair, cubing her cheeks in the process ~ delight flashed in his eye.
" I'll get the doctor now" He added and she gave a weary smile. Just when he turned to leave, his phone rang of which he halted in his tracks, digging into his pocket for it. Drake spontaneously smiled at the caller ID, flipping it to answer mood but the sobs which welcomed him flinched him out.
" Drake.....the kids" She cried to which he exclaimed in terror.
"What's with the kids?" He stuttered and she just sobbed, her tongue seemed to had stucked itself in it's habitat~ feeling to heavy to move.
"Speak up, Meli.....what's with the kids?" He stumbled out of frustration and horror.
" The kids are no where to be found in their school" The words bursted from her mouth.
"What?" Drake howled, horrified by the sudden news- his heart increased its tempo. " So where are they?" He stuttered in confusion.
"What's it, love?~ Is everything okay?" Delia's weak voice swiftly invaded. He half-way turned toward her with a waned smile.
" Yes, dear...just need to attend to this,it's urgent" He feigned an excuse.
" Okay..." Doubt laced her voice but she refused to push further,noticing the look in his eyes and the pain the bullet left in her chest. Bracing himself, Drake stuttered, brandishing the phone. " I'll leave now" His gentle expression was tinged with terror; fear pulled his smile into something closer to a grimace as the thought of the kids got the better part of him.
Delia slowly nodded and he leaned over her with a kiss on her forehead. With that, he sped off~ halfway through the door, he placed back the phone over his ears.
" What of Ben, heard anything from him?" He asked. A moment of panic swept over his face.
" I called him but it rang without answering". Her answer got him more worried, his covered in invible sweat. " I hope it's not what i'm thinking" He stated and went on.
" Go on, make a report to the police~ a kidnap....hurry, i'll be there in awhile" He cried as his back faded out of the door. Delia just watched his back in anguish as the pain became a little unbearable.
**************
It was long after school when Rubin got to Alixies' house with her bag, hoping to get answers to the numerous questions on his mind and the reason for her absurd attitude earlier on. With the ring of the bell, an unexpected figure pulled the door opened.
" Alixi....you're~" She exuded but then, stuttered on seeing her visitor. " Oh, who are you and how may I help, you" She asked.
" Oh, good afternoon, ma'am" He greeted with a smile. It was Alixies' mother. Her absense spontanously dawned on him, of which he instinctively made an excuse; not to cause alarm.
" Um, I'm Rubin Brown, Alixi's classmate and she asked me to drop her bag at home for her ~ She'll be a little late" He explained as he streched out the bag for her. Taking a critical look at him, she smiled.
" Nice to meet her male friends~ She never came home with one" She teased which made Rubin feigned a smile. But then, something wasn't right for her. " Why didn't she call to say" She thought but then, she decided to let go since Alixies wouldn't like her digging into her privacy.
" Okay, thanks... hope to see you some other time."
" Sure, Ma... I'll do well to visit again" Rubin replied and bid his farewell. " Where could she be then?" He thought to himself as he turned to his heels. Approaching the bus terminal, his phone rang. He swiftly rammaged his bag for it, hoping it was her but then got a little suprise by the caller ID.
" Miss Mya?" He stumbled. Not so sure of himself, he picked up and pressed it over his ears.
" Rubin, it's me.... Laura" Her voiced echoed through the phone. Confused, he drew the phone back, check the ID again and returned it to his ears again.
" Laura?~ Where are you and why are you with your sister's phone?" He asked.
" I'm not only with her phone but her body as well~ Anyway, no need for explanations now; Alixies, she's in danger and needs our help now." She annouced which brought panic, washing over his demeanour.
" I'll send you her location just after this call~ You must be fast enough if we don't want to get the return of her corpse only. I'm currently in a mess now" She explained further. Before he could say anything, the line went dead, followed by notification. He checked and it was an address.
" Old Mario Bay?" He mumbled. " What's that place?" He thought but then, Laura's caution hit him. Just when he lifted his head, he noticed a cab approaching. With the wave of his hand, it pulled over infront of him and soon, they were off.
*******************
Hansel slowly moved his hand to the trigger and Ben spontanously closed his eyes, waiting for whatever was going to happen to him~ His fate to be determined by the pellets of a gun. A fate designed by his own blood after. With the rhythemic succession of the gun shots, he heard a loud cry.
" Alixies!! " A familiar voice shouted to which Ben's eyes flickered open. He stared in shock, his eyes unblinkingly stucked on the blood covered body on the floor.
" Oh,no... Alixies" His voice trembled.