Being here has never been a mistake, Richard.” Sarah squirmed as his hand went deeper into her throat and his blue eye balls moved threatingly in hers.
“Hell no! It has not and will never be.” Richard snarled back as he tightened his grip under her throat. “Not when am willing to make the remaining few hours of your existence long but painful. Your kind only look their best when they’re in their graves. I fear the phrase ‘life well spent’ isn’t meant for your kind. Every cop has one or two things separating them from morality, so, Lucifer won’t be disappointed meeting you above,” he barked, looking at the two red eyes that poked out in pains. This was the first time Richard was wordy.“I intend forcing you and your men to hell before you get rid of me asshole,” Sarah’s voice could be heard in-between choking and squirming.
“With what will be left inside of you after this, I suppose you will be heading to disappointment, young lady. I intend ripping off your throat,” Richard snarled as his jaw moved rhythmically and his breadth rested on Sarah’s nose.
“The wild animals will be grateful to come in contact with my generosity when I feed your delicate flesh to them in the forest,” Richard gritted his teeth.
Sarah could feel his muscle tightening beneath her throat and the deadly look that rested on his blue eyes that would have been charming if he had used them for smiling than portraying his fury.
Like a vampire, his eyes became red instantly and roamed searchingly on Sarah’s breast pocket as he retrieved a white paper that contained the list of the wanted men which included him.
“You’re here for the bounty, huh? Let’s end our meeting here then.” He squeezed the paper so hard as if by doing so, Sarah’s soul would be crushed as well. He directly and angrily tossed the paper on her face as he yanked her up. "I’m only doing my job which includes gunning down men like you,” she barked forcefully and struggled to untie her hands which had been tightly tied behind her back.She winced as sharp pains surged through her wrist to her bone from the tight rope that bound her hands. Fresh blood also trickled down from the tear that her wrist sustained from the struggle.
Sarah couldn’t wish for anything less than tearing Richards flesh bit by bit and feeding it to wild dogs. Seeing this, Richard gave a wry chuckle that lasted only for seconds.
“I see. The only legacy you want to leave behind is bravery. Let’s see how long you can put up with this show when this knife dissects your throat,”
Without mincing words, Richard slid the knife under her throat as he mercilessly tore open the black and long sleeve uniform that shielded the white singlet that fitted like a glove on Sarah’s fair and smooth skin, as if her uniform reminded him of his childhood nightmare.
“Rich,” Jack called from behind as he walked leisurely towards them as if counting his steps. Well, Jack could choose any other time to appear but to Richard, it was definitely not this time.Not when his soul and body was yearning to make mince meat out of his enemy and the enemy of his brothers. Sarah writhed in pains as the sharp knife moved deeper into her skin.
“We can make use of this face tonight. This bitch has got some work to do here,” Jack spoke urgently as he intercepted the knife in Richard's grip.He examined Sarah carefully as he turned her cheeks sideways and meticulously adjusted her now disheveled and torn clothe.
“I don’t think this scrag will be of any use to the brotherhood, Jack,” Richard said sarcastically.
“She will, man. Get her something better to put on,” Jack asserted as he turned around to face Richard.
“She needs to look her best if she is to seduce Professor William. That bastard has high taste when it comes to women. In my opinion, he has more value for pretty women than he has for his life,” he added.Richard seemed to be considering this. After a brief but critical examination of this unwanted bitch, he nodded to Jack and meditatively added,
“That leaves us with two targets tonight,” he gave Jack a meaningful look. “Mike and I will take Mr. Raymond. I believe two or more bullets will send him down to earth. We have their details already. Can I trouble you with William?" Although Jack asked, he knew too well that Richard would be glad to do it as he would always volunteer for such task, so he didn't wait for his response and continued,"With who we have here, the job is as good as done. There is no better time to need such prop than now,” Jack said as he turned around to face Sarah. His thick face seemed to be carved out from bronze and allowed no iota of smile steal its gloominess.
“My pleasure, Jack. I will be denying myself such pleasure if I reject the offer,” Richard answered as briefly as he was always known for.
It was no surprise why he was always referred to as the Lord of silent doom. To Richard, pulling the bullet was faster than making a complete utterance.
He cast a menancing gaze at Sarah who seemed to have lost some of her confidence with his dreadful stare. Knowing very well what it meant to show any sign of weakness in a situation as this, Sarah fought hard to maintain a brave look as she spoke shakigly in a voice that she couldn’t believe was hers,
“What makes you think that I’m as rotten as you all are? You dream high guys,” she chuckled uneasily. “Let’s get this over with once and for all. It’s clear to you bastards that I have always dreamt of having the privilege to end your miserable lives, so why waste this rare opportunity of killing me? Aren’t you afraid that I may expose your dirty game to the world once I step out of here?” Sarah smiled as if she had just discovered the weakness of the gangs or has managed to stir their anger into ending her life for good.The last thing in Sarah’s wish was being used as a tool to commit crime. She had lived a good number of her years being a good cop and one to reckon with. She wasn’t going to dent the image she had struggled so hard to build.
“No young lady. All you need to have your wish come through is just few hours from now,” Richard said between clenched teeth as he walked briskly to the exit door. “You may be brave young woman but it's amazing how your stupidity supersedes your bravery. Well, let’s hope your skin is sexy enough to attract William to his grave or my friend here will be willing to grant your last wish right away,” Jack calmly asserted as he looked at Richard. “Waste no time in passing bullet through her head if she acts funny, man. The words, ‘good luck’ aren't for someone like you, best friend,” he said cheerfully. “Luck is for idle minds as far as I know. Expect no difference, the job is close to its end already,” Jack nodded in agreement to this and stormed out of the half illuminated hall as Sarah saw the last of Richard’s hefty image through the back door.“I suppose you know what to do with this,” Richard said as he tossed a bag to Sarah. It contained all that she would need to put on for the mission they were about to set off in a few minutes time. He drew closer and cut the rope that bound her hands as Sarah winced in pains. Her wrists had lines of red marks and swollen flesh which was clearly an evidence that Richard had meant to torture her to death and had made the rope so tight that her wrist could be cut off by the rope if she had done as much as struggle to free her hands from it. At first, her wrist was numb and she couldn't reach for the bag that lay on her laps. Richard had no patience for this dilly-dallying. He yanked her up from the bamboo stick she was made to sit on. Sarah bit back the tears that wanted to pour down following the pains that greeted her when Richard pulled her by the hair. “
“From one of our trusted allies, I won’t be surprised if the police closes in on us now,” Jack said as he took a glass of wine from Richard who looked unbothered by what he had just said and pokily filled every cup on the large brown wooden table like a professional waiter in a royal home. “That leaves us with one choice,” he finally said as he sipped his wine leisurely.Jack raised his eyebrows slightly in enthusiasm as he asked, “And what is that, bro?” “Use the detective as a bait to lure othe
“I’m sure we won’t have a hard time finding her if we go through this route,” Frank said as he studied the map carefully again and stuffed it into his breast pocket. He abruptly stopped in his tracks. “This way,” he commanded as he heard a painful moan not far from the riverbank. "Sarah!" He called out as he walked towards her. "What's she trying to say?" He Wondered as Sarah kept shaking her head vehemently. He moved a little closer. "Why is she tied to a tree?" He said to sergeant Anderson who was now standing beside him. "I think she is telling us to run, Frank," sergeant Peter who had joined them said in panic but Frank was already heading towards Sarah.  
Sarah's feet was stuck in shingle. The thought of seeing Richard's beastly face made a stream of hot blood spurt into Sarah's throat. She wasn't going to let Frank down. She was going to try something besides waiting for her own death. But she was drained of the littlest strength and could only mutter softly under her breath, "someone...help!" But no help was coming. Even the birds that hovered around the tall coconut trees that beautified the ocean, seemed to be enjoying her predicament and twittered merrily in what sounded to Sarah like, 'why did you join the police force?' She laughed bitterly at her poor self. After a long while, she silently said a prayer and decided it was time she relied on her strength else she dies away. She tried to lift her legs but almost fell immediately. Her legs were too weak to support her weight. She bit hard on her lips as if her survival depended on ho
The large hall was lusterless and sparsely decorated. The only ornament in the big hall that had several rooms inside was an art work that instilled horror to every visitor. The atmosphere was feastive as the men were busy celebrating what Sarah knew too well wouldn't be anything good. Jack was calmly sipping a glass of whiskey when he caught sight of Sarah and Richard making their ways into the large hall. Richard was steadily supporting her with his huge arm. "We awaited your return, man. But certainly not with that fellow. What really stopped the great and heartless Richard from sending that thing to the bottom of the hell," Jack asked as he staggered towards them. His glass of whiskey was shaking in his hand. Richard looked at Sarah briefly before saying, "She escaped," he took a few steps forward. &
"You can at least tell me where you're taking me to," Sarah's voice was cracky. Richard shut the car door, turned on the ignition and zoomed across the lonely and deserted old building.After what seemed like a century, he lazily replied, "The brotherhood suggested that you come with me. You'll need to make use of your acting skill once again. You're job here is to convince any suspicious eyes that we're a couple. They believe it'll help divert the attention of some zealous minds who may want to report me to the authority for the bounty and make them focus on their poor lives instead,"his face remained expressionless as he pulled on the gear. "This idea was never mine but you'll need to impress me, young lady. Hence, I suppose you know the actions every decent housewife take? You can put up some," he said.
"What happened to the smile every married woman who happens to be in a shopping mall with her husband manage to put on?" Richard whispered almost inaudibly. "Don't dream too much because you're not getting that from me," Sarah barked undertone as Richard chuckled. He was so handsome when he smiled. His thin lips parted, showing a set of white teeth. He touched his temple before replying evenly, "Sure. I found out long time ago that you're not in good terms with smiles," he led her to the whiskey department. Sarah paused and looked up at Richard. He was a giant compared to Sarah. She'll need to raise her head slightly if she wanted to see his face. She frowned and said, "This dosen't look like the items any couple would buy," she was mocking him. "You're the only
"Sarah!" To his utter surprise, it was her.By now, Richard was running short of bullets and was swiftly reloading. There were only two of the robbers left and they had hidden behind the deflated vehicle. He swiftly changed his position. The DPO caught sight of Richard. He stared at him for a while before muttering to himself, "Richard!"The sketch that Sarah had made earlier of the wanted men had hurriedly come to his mind. "Bastard!" He cursed under his breath. "You rendered this country unhabitable and think you can go scot-free? Think again!" Without wasting a second, he reached for the trigger but Sarah had noticed his move on time.She ran fleetly towards the DPO and pushed his hand to a different direction as the bullet hit a sports car parked under the shade. &nbs