James poured the cold water over Anthony’s body and Anthony woke up instantly, shivering. He shook his head and his short-length hair slapped around his forehead and side head. “Let me go!” He yelled as he tried to release himself from the tight grip of the ropes. “You really don’t think we’ll let you go at your command, do you?” Charles questioned as he sat opposite him, and crossed his legs. Then Anthony chuckled and sneered at him. “Regardless, you can’t hurt me, and I will only waste your time if you think you can get answers from me.” Anthony scoffed. “Well, we didn’t think you’ll comply that easily and since we have no time to waste like you’re well aware, I hope you love electricity?” James uttered as he turned on the taser. Anthony’s eyes widened in shock. He wasn’t expecting Charles and his men to be this ruthless as he had never heard anything scary about them. No, Anthony. They certainly can’t hurt you. They are good men.” Anthony thought to himself as he shook his head. “Really?” Anthony scoffed, acting like he wasn’t bothered by the taser. Then Charles nodded, giving James a go-ahead to give him the worst shock of his life. Anthony thought James was going to stop half way or act like he was going to push the taser close to his skin, but he discovered that James wasn’t kidding. And he wanted nothing more than to be free from hurts and torture. “Hold on, hold on!” He voiced out, looking fearful. “I’ll answer all your questions if you assure me my freedom.” “Didn’t you think that you’ve sold off your freedom to whoever sent you already? How can we grant you freedom when you don’t deserve it? He has paid you and you’ve probably eaten it up.” “No! You’re wrong. That’s what you think. I have been tortured for months all because I tried to stand up for justice, and when he offered me freedom again, just to get rid of Charles, I had no choice than to do the job.” Anthony cried out, feeling completely miserable. “And who exactly is this person?” Charles questioned, more interested in who had sent Anthony to get rid of him. “Mr. Lincoln.” Anthony revealed, and this brought shock to everyone’s faces. Even as Charles knew his father was capable of that, he never knew he knew he still had him in mind, despite the fact that he was at Paris. “Mr. Lincoln really deserves a place worser than hell. He is the devil, himself.” James voiced out angrily. “So, he sent you to me? How did he know I’m here?” “If you think he knows that you’re off to see Mr. Thompson, then you’re wrong. I only did some findings and found about your movement, so I tailed you.” Charles turned his back on Anthony, thinking of what to make of this particular situation. “Also, you’ll need to act fast. Mr. Lincoln actually sent one of his skilled men to hunt down Mr. Thompson. It’s best you find Mr. Thompson before Mr. Lincoln’s man gets a hold of him.” Anthony revealed. Charles turned towards him sharply. “What did you just say?” “Mr. Lincoln is close to eliminating Mr. Thompson.” Anthony repeated. “Shit! We have to leave, first thing, tomorrow morning. I hope he doesn’t find where Mr. Thompson could be, before us.” “We would get to him faster. We have the address.” James assured, just so Charles wouldn’t get all worked up. Charles let out a deep sigh, then bent towards Anthony. “I will only grant you your freedom once I get a hold of Mr. Thompson and everything is settled with him.” He said to Anthony, and Anthony nodded his head, taking his words for it. That night, Charles found it difficult to sleep even when the free bedroom upstairs had been made clean and comfortable for him. He just couldn’t get his mind off the fact that his father was really bent on eliminating him. It meant that to him, Charles was just another man he wanted to get rid of. “Even if mother begs me to have mercy on you, I will never show you mercy.” He said, under his breath as he stared into blank space. ~ The next day, everyone had all woken up, nearly the same time. They all had it in mind that today was a day that determined if their journey was going to be in vain or not. Charles’ driver resumed his seat as the driver, while both Charles and James made Anthony to sit in their midst. “You can start the car.” Charles instructed with a poker face. IN PARIS Mr. Lincoln on the other hand was about to have lunch at 4pm as he had delayed his lunch over a few things he was busy, doing. While eating, he decided to check up on Anthony who he felt should have given him a feedback since the time he sent him out to track Charles down. He dialed Anthony’s contact and the dial tone rang for a while before Anthony finally answered it. “Why did you take long to answer my call?” Mr. Lincoln scolded him over the phone. “I apologize, sir. Your call woke me up.” “What time is it, over there?” “It’s 7am, sir.” Anthony responded. “Oh, I see. Well, how’s the mission I sent you to go on?” Mr. Lincoln requested for a feedback. “It’s going pretty well. I actually followed him quietly to a place which he seems to be having a vacation break at, so I need to monitor him for a while to know when the right time, is, to strike.” Anthony lied. “Good. That seems like progress. Ensure your eyes are on him and you don’t get caught. He’s quite a smart man, and would not let you off the hook, the moment he finds out about your mission.” “Noted, sir.” “And if he finds out about your mission, ensure my name stays away from it, or I’ll find you and slice you into pieces. I promise you a torture-filled death.”