TWISTED PASSION/TAINTED LOVE

LA'

e she had been kidnapped. I clung to these thoughts, even though they were far-fetched and unlikely. It was easier to believe

ept waiting for someone to wake me up. But as I watched my mother's casket being lowered into the ground, I knew that this was real

sank to my knees and the tears came in waves. The sobbing was uncontrollable. The world seemed to be spinnin

presence was a comfort. I clung to him like a life raft, trying to find some solid ground. And as the tears finally subsided,

nyone to talk to me. I just wanted to go home and be alone. I tugged at my father's sleeve, and he looked down at me, his face etched

to him. I just wanted to shut out the world, to escape into my head. I threw myself onto my bed, burying my face in my pillow. I let

t felt like a cruel joke. How could I celebrate without my mother by my side? The thought was too much to bear, and I began to sob again. I felt like a child

voices coming from my father's study, and I tiptoed over to the door. I

ou put our family in danger!" There was a long pause, and then my uncle's voice came through the door. "I'm sorry, I didn't know wh

froze, my mind racing. My uncle had always been a bit of a gambler, but I never imagin

sted his brother, and now he was faced with the reality that his brother had made a terrible mistake. "I don't understand how you could

one dismissive. "I can't help you." My father's voice was full of anguish. "You put us all in dan

curt. "You're on your

ery dangerous man. I haven't met him, but I heard from people around that he'll do anything to get what he wants, it's too bad the investment I had

e only here because you lost all of that money even if the

rs in the space of one month? I told you I needed five thousand dollars w

a way to fix this mess without involving my family, or else you

, and I slunk back to my

red and puffy, and my skin was pale and wan. I looked like a shell of my former self, and I felt hollow insid

came in. "Hi Dad," I said softly "Hi Bella, how are you feeling," he said coming close to me to hug me. "I'm

ed. "We can't stay here," he said, his voice urgent. "It's not safe." He didn't elaborate, and I felt even more confused. I could tell that he

o make things harder for him. "Okay," I said, my voice quiet. "I trust you." I could see the relief on his face, and he pulled me into a tight hug. "Tha

I couldn't shake. I looked around my room, my eyes falling on the familiar objects that I had known my whole life. I suddenly felt a strong

rway, not wanting to interrupt. But then my stomach growled, and I remembered that I hadn't eaten breakfast. I quietly backed out of the room

focus on the food. Suddenly, I heard raised voices from downstairs, and I knew that my father was arguing with someone. I straine

with a group of men I had never seen before. They were all tall and muscular, with an air of menace about them. My father wa

d a menacing-looking scar across his face. I felt a chill run down my spine as I noticed that one of the men was holding a

bout him that gave me the creeps. He was lounging on the couch like he owned the place, a self-assured smirk on his face. I fel

looked at each other, a look of amusement on their faces. "I don't think you understand the situation," the man with the scar said,

ning. "And we're going to collect, one way or another." My father stiffened, his jaw clenched. "I don't know what you're talking about," he s

t leaped into my throat, and I felt a rush of terror. I had been caught eavesdropping, and now I was in danger. I was

d to disappear. But then I heard one of the men say something that made my blood run cold. "I think the b

e. "She's useless to us." I felt a wave of relief wash over me. At least I wasn't what they were looking for. Bu

with fear, unable to move. My heart was pounding, and I could barely breathe. I was trapped, and there was no way out. "She's coming wi

to the ground. My father tried to get up, but the man kicked him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. I felt sick a

tried to stay upright, but I felt my legs give out. The last thing I saw before everything went blac