Chapter 18 - Help

Sabrina's POV

"Your a fool to believe it" then the man laughed like a madman.

I saw Dad lying on the floor. Bruises are visible on his face. My poor Dad. I'm scared, not for my life, but Dad. I saw how he tried to look tough even if it's very evident that he's badly beaten. What did they do to Dad, and where's Mom? Where are our security guards?

I'm very frustrated that I couldn't see the man's face because he had his back to me.

I saw some men approaching, so I discreetly closed the door, and I discreetly closed the door and leaned against it. The men are all wearing black and have masks covering their faces.

"Boss, her wife escaped, but I ordered men to check the area maybe she's still here at the mansion," I heard the man said.

They're talking about Mommy. Mommy, please be safe.

Wait. I need to call the police or Tito Samuel. I quickly fumbled for my cellphone. Oh, God! I don't have my cellphone with me. Dad confiscated it the other day.

"You idiots! Why did you let her escaped? It's just a woman," I heard their Boss said.

"Go, search the whole house, I'm sure their daughter is still here," and his voiced thundered, "Don't let her daughter escaped"

"Yes, of course, Boss, how could I forget his beautiful daughter. I've been following her for days, I just can't get near her because she's always with someone."

"Don't involve my daughter in this! I will die first before you can do what you're planning to,"

I heard Dad said.

"You're really going to die!"

And I heard a gunshot that I think for a few seconds my heart stops beating.

NOOOOO!!! I quickly covered my mouth to avoid making a noise. My tears started to fall.

DADDY!

I can't let them caught me. Think Sabrina! There must be another way!

Laptop! Yes! I quickly picked it up. I trembled with fear. I was shaking as I dialed the police emergency number. I flinched when someone tried to open the door. They are trying to open it, and it seemed that they could break into my room sooner.

I quickly hid under the bed. I don't have a choice but to close the laptop. The light coming from the device might attract attention, especially that my room is still completely dark.

I prayed. That's the only weapon that I have now. I prayed for my parents, especially Dad. Please, if this is a dream, somebody wakes me up, please!

The next thing I knew, I heard more gunshots. Surprisingly, the men who tried to break into my room suddenly disappeared.

I slowly came out from where I'm hiding. I heard gunshots again, but this time, there's an exchange of gunfire outside. Is it the police? I really hope it's them.

Without thinking much, I hurriedly went out of my room and checked Dad. I need to see him.

I felt my blood run cold when I saw Dad. My knees are weak and felt like I no longer have the capacity to walk. I was shaking immensely and went down on both knees to hugged Daddy. There's much blood.

"Daddy, wake up! Help! Please, somebody, help us." I screamed. Daddy is still unresponsive.

"Help us!" I screamed.

When I heard some police declaring their presence, I screamed for help.

I heard some footsteps. I need to bring Dad to the hospital.

Uniformed policemen approached me. I begged them to help Dad.

After that, everything went like a blur next thing I knew, Dad was taken to the ambulance. I wanted to go, but a paramedic stopped me and checked my condition first. I assured them that I'm okay. I just want to see Dad, but they insisted. After checking me, a policeman approached me.

"Miss Castillo, I am Inspector Corpuz, I am sorry about what happened but rest assured that we will be investigating this case. We have a lead, but I need to know who -"

"I suggest you do that later, Sir. The lady here needs a rest. After she has been through, just like you, she also wants this to end." a familiar voice interrupted. I lifted my eyes and saw Yuseff.

Our eyes met. Yuseff studied my face with pure concern in his eyes.

"Of course. I'll just see you tomorrow, Miss Castillo," and the police politely excused himself.

"Sorry to hear about what happened," Yuseff said. What is he doing here? I asked myself.

"We lived in the same subdivision, and our neighborhood was alarmed by the multiple gunshots," he explained like he heard what I'm thinking, or did I say it aloud? "So, I decided to check on you," he added and sounded a little hesitant to say those words.

I want to see Dad. Images of Dad lying on the floor covered with blood made me felt dizzy. Did that really happen? Things are slowly sinking in upon seeing many police patrol cars and people investigating what had happened.

A jacket has slung over my shoulder, and I directed my eyes at Yuseff.

"It's cold you'll need that,"

"Thank you,"

Yuseff nodded and said to wait for me. He left me and saw him approached Inspector Corpuz.

Police are interviewing our house helpers and neighbors, may be gathering information or witnesses to what happened. I saw them talked for a while, and then Yuseff came back to me.

"I'll take you to the hospital. Your parents are there."

"Parents? Mom is there too?" Thinking that Mom was hurt or shot was too much to take already. I started crying. "Let's go. I need to see them" then I started walking without a direction. "Wait, let me call Uncle Samuel, but I don't have a phone--"

"Hey," Yuseff grabs my arm to stop me from walking. "Hey, Sab, look at me!" Yuseff uttered, and he got my attention.

He looked at me like his weighing things.

"I need you to be strong. I know you're in a state of shock, but you need to focus. Your statement to the police will be vital to their investigation. Now, let's go, " Yuseff seriously said and escorted me to his car.

"Why are you helping me?" I couldn't help but ask when we got into the car.

It took him a while before Yuseff responded to my question like he's thinking of the right words to say.

"Do I need to have a reason?" Yuseff replied and shifted his gaze to mine. I heard him sigh. "Think of me as a neighbor helping you, then!" he added when I didn't respond to him. I saw him picked up his phone and handed it to me, "Call your Uncle he must be worried," he said before starting the engine.

I looked at Yuseff. He's done nothing but good to me. I felt guilty asking him that.

***

"Mom?" I couldn't stop crying when I saw Mommy waiting outside the operating room.

She had a bandage wrapping around her arm.

"Sabrina! Oh, Thank God you're safe!" Mommy hugged me tight and started to cry.

"Your father is in a critical condition," She informed me. Mom's eyes is filled with fear.

"He was shot in the head, and he ---" she said sobbing, pain registered on her face.

"Mom, are you okay?" I nervously said. After that, Mom fainted and was about to fall. I quickly attended to Mommy, but Yuseff caught her up immediately.

"Call the doctor," Yuseff commanded me. I nodded and ran as fast as I could.

The doctor said Mom fainted because of stress and over fatigue. He advised that Mommy should stay in the hospital overnight to monitor her condition.

Uncle Samuel has returned my call already. He's currently abroad, and he informed me that he will be home as soon as possible.

"You should rest too," Yuseff said to me when I handed him back his phone.

I thanked Yuseff and said he can go home now. It's already late, and still has class tomorrow, but he insisted to stay with me.

We are both sitting outside the operating room. I still can't believe what happened. I'm silently praying that Dad will have a successful operation. I don't know how many hours have passed, but I abruptly stood up when the operating room opened, and a doctor went out.

"I'm Dr. Gonzaga. Are you the family of the patient--" he looked at the chart "Mr. Castillo?"

"Hi Doc, I'm Sabrina, his daughter. How is Dad? Is he okay? Can I see him now?" I asked.

"Is there any way I could talk to Mrs. Castillo? I have an important matter to discuss with her." I got nervous.

Is there something wrong?

"You can talk to me instead, Doc. I'm afraid my mother isn't in a good condition right now."

The doctor worriedly looked at me. It's like he's hesitant to discuss my father's condition with me. I got scared.

"I have to be honest with you, Mr. Castillo's condition is serious" I knew Dad's condition was critical but hearing it from a professional doctor made my legs turned to jelly.

Yuseff went near me like he knows that any moment I might collapse.

"We have to do several surgeries for the damage in his skull. We can say your Dad is quite lucky as only a few survives being shot in the head."

The doctor handed me a paper. My hands are shaking when I accepted it.

"The reason I prefer talking to your Mom is to ask her consent to do such surgeries. This is a risky operation, but your Dad is very responsive, and that's a good start."

I read the contents of the paper. The surgeries to be performed, and the consent/waiver is stated there.

"Doc, Daddy will be okay, right?" I need assurance. He's a doctor, so he probably knows Dad's condition.

"Your Dad is a fighter, Miss Castillo, and rest assured I will do my best,"

Throughout our conversation, I showed no weakness. I didn't cry in front of Doc Gonzaga. I want to be strong, for our family, for Dad.