Chapter 6 - The Catch

*non proofread*

21st March

Ash POV

I woke up around 4.30am. I stretched my body then got down from the bed and walked into the bathroom to take a shower and to refresh myself. I changed the plaster near my eyebrows then re-apply the liquid medicine on my bruises. After shower, I walked into my closet and took out a pair of black ripped jeans, I wear the gun holster on the waistband at the back of my jeans before putting on a polo t-shirt together with a black hoodie. I walked out from my bedroom and towards the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. I took out two eggs, some bacon slice and two slice of bread. I heated up the pan to make scrambled egg and put the bacon in and fried them. Once done, I put them onto a plate then I took out the bottle of strawberry jam apply some on the bread. I took out a bottle of milk and pour it out to my cup. Once I finished my breakfast, I rinsed the plates, cutlery and pan then put them into the dish washer.

I wiped my hands onto the kitchen towel then put my phone and the name listing into my backpack then walked out of my apartment. I make sure my door is properly locked then walked towards the elevator hall and take the elevator down to the lobby. I rushed over to the opposite of the street, down a few blocks so I can catch up the next train to Nothing Hill waste transfer station for work. Once I am seated in the train, I took out the name list and go through them again before I reached Nothing Hill. Once the train announced that we are reaching Nothing Hill Gate station, I quickly put the documents back into my backpack. When the train stops, I got down then walked towards the exit. Once outside, I felt breezes blew passed my face. I looked at my watch which shows 6.45am. Then I walked towards the waste transfer station to report to work.

Once I reached the office building, I took out my employee tag and wear it along on my neck. I looked for Thomas once I reached his office, I knocked on the door and enter once he says "come in".

Ash:"Good morning Thomas" I greeted him with a smile.

Thomas:"Well good morning Ins-Ash" he greeted back with a apologetic look then mouthed "sorry".

Ash:"Is ok. So where can I put my backpack and get the uniform so I can start my work?" I asked.

Thomas:"There are staff lockers in-front of the pantry and this is your locker's key" I said while passing me the key. "By the way, what happened to your face" he asked pointing at my face.

Ash:"Thanks" I thanked him then grabbed the key and walked towards the locker so I can keep my backpack inside then locked it. "Well, I fall down to the pavement without looking where I am going while checking on my phone" I simply gave him a fake reason. I then put the key into my front pocket then walked over to speak with one of the staff. "Hi! Good morning and today is my first day of work. What should I do?" he shrugged his shoulder and ask me to look for Brandon; pointing to a fat guy standing at the other side of the room and says that he is the supervisor here. I checked his name tag (Albert). "Thank you Albert" I smiled and walked over to Brandon. Once I am behind Brandon, I tapped on his shoulder to get his attention.

"Hi and good morning. Today is my first day report to work so I would like to know where should I start work or what should I do?" I smiled and look at him. "Well, you can start to sort out each waste package then put them onto the trolley and push it into the designated bin which will later be loaded into the waste transport. You can look for Zeus and assist him on this" he said and pointing at a guy wearing a baseball cap. "Thank you" I smiled and thanked him. I then walked over to Zeus. "Hi! Good morning and I am Ash. Brandon told me come here and assist you" I said then take out my hand for a handshakes. "Morning" he greeted then shakes my hand. "So you just carry these packets then put them onto the trolley then push them into that bin over there so they can be loaded into the truck to be transported to the main waste depot" he said and gestured me to start carry the packet.

I have been working straight for three hours then have a break at the pantry with some cakes and a bottle of water.

*buzz buzz*

I checked on the caller ID then noticed is Jonathan. I walked out of the pantry then pick up the call. "Morning and is everything going as planned" I asked while pushing the balance of cake into my mouth. "Yes" he answered short. "Christina and the gang are here together with their crew and cast. The meet and greet will start at 11am and Mark is standing nearby her. Everyone is at their place. Hope that you are doing great at your side" he mocked me. I rolled my eyes. "Yes and I am enjoying my work here very much" I replied with a smirked on my face. "I can feel that you are smirking, bro...just take care okay" he said. "Yes and not to worry, bro" I replied. "I got to go so you will take charge and monitor that area while I handle here" I said before saying bye and ended the call. *ding ding* My phone sound of incoming text messages. I unlocked it and checked who send me message. I noticed is Christina. *Hi and good morning Ash. Just want to ask whether are you here at Nothing Hill Community Hall? Just want to catch up with you and ask about the plan you guys mentioned previously... I just want to know about it. Text me when you are available*. I texted her back saying I will be out of town and Jonathan is working on the plan and he will update her any updates. Once done, I put my phone back into my front pocket and continue my work.

Christina POV

I woke up at 8am then went straight to the bathroom to take shower and refresh myself. Once done, I wrapped in a towel then walked into my closet to get a pair of blue ripped jeans, a flower blouse and a blue denim jacket. I put my phone into my handbag. Then I walked down to the kitchen then grab a cereal bar, unwrapped it and put into my mouth and chew it. Once finish the cereal bar, I throw it into the waste bin then walked towards my couch. I sit down then scroll social media on my phone

*ding dong*

I pick up my handbag then walked towards the door, peeping into the peephole and noticed is my dear Abby. I unlocked the door, opened then walked out and locked the door before grabbing on Abby's arm while she passed me a cup of my favorite coffee.

Abby:"Well someone looks chirpy today" Did you have a nice dream yesterday?" she smirked at me.

Christina:"Yes and because I can't wait to see my fans later and enjoying the parade later" I grinned looking at her.

Abby:"Can't wait time see or fans of Ash?" she smirked.

I shushed her then we both walked towards the elevator hall and take the next elevator to the lobby. Once the elevator reach the lobby, we both walked out towards the condo entrance then walked over to the car and sit inside.

Sophia:"Good Morning princess. Ready for today's event? Be aware of Marcus as well as you know he will try his chance to be nice with you" she smirked while looking at the car rear mirror at me.

Christina:"Thanks for the reminder and I hope Abby is standing by my side and monitoring his actions" I looked at Abby with a hopeful smile.

Abby:"Definitely and hope he don't act without using his brain else I would love to kick his ball off" she snorted.

While on the way to Nothing Hill, a thought of texting Ash crosses my mind. I unlocked my phone then start to text her asking whether will she be there at the Carnival and I would like to meet up with her to talk about her plan. Once I press sent, I received her reply immediately *Sorry as I will be out of town. Jonathan will be updating you on anything we have* Once I read her reply, my mood immediately changed.

The day went very well; fans are happy to see me in person and they took lots of photos with me and my signature. I had a few photos with them on my phones for me to post it later on my social media accounts. As usual, Marcus always tried his luck either to grab my butt during some photo session with some of the fans or tried to get close to me and kiss me. Luckily Abby is there like a leech and managed to block those actions from Mr. Casanova. When the meet and greet session ended, I planned to walk around with Abby and slowly walk over to the Carnival downtown. It seems very happening as there are some parades on the main street, mini puppet shows near the park and people dancing on the sidewalk.

Abby:"Christina, they have Pikachu cotton candy over there" she exclaimed while pointing at the directions of the cotton candy stall with lots of children queuing. "Let's go" she pushes me to walk faster.

Christina:"Okay..okay.. slow down girl. I am sure they have plenty to sell" I chuckled while holding her arm. "Sophia, me and Abby is going over there" I informed Sophia while pointing to the directions of the stall. Mark then followed both Abby and me over while Sophia stay around to make sure the crew packs all the things back to the car.

Third Person POV

Never did Christina know that someone is already following three of them towards the stall. The route to the candy stall was packed with people mostly pushing and squeezing to walk past each other. Since Mark is kind of big size, is hard for him to squeeze through at some places and lost contact with the two girls whom are in-front of him. The person whom is following the girls purposely cuts the rope tied onto some balloons and caused all of them flew off and blocking the view from Mark. The kids around look amazed with the scene where colorful balloons is floating away and tried to run after them and blocked Mark from moving further to chase after the two girls. This gave the opportunity for that person to move forward and exactly behind the two girls who are queuing to get the cotton candy. Suddenly the person wraps both his hand against Christina's and Abby's face covering them with chloroform then pretending to hold on to both of them on the arm and dragged them into a side door of a building just around the corner. When Mark reached the stall, he couldn't find both Abby and Christina and started to call Ash to alert her that Christina and Abby is missing.

The person then slowly tucked a string of hair on Christina's face and slowly touches and kisses her on the cheek. "Soon, you and I will never be apart anymore. We will be together and live happily ever after and that bastard Marcus will never have the chance to touch you again" the person said while caressing Christina's cheek. The person then tied Abby's hand at the back with a rope and covered her mouth she couldn't shout for help. The person then covered Christina's mouth and put her body inside a huge cloth bag, tied it but left a small gap at the top so that she still can breathe through. The person then carried her and put her over the arm and walked towards a big trolley, slowly dropped her on it and some smaller bags beside her then pushed the trolley out from the building walking towards the waste transfer station after by passing a few officers and group of people.

Ash POV

Since is already lunch time, I walked towards the pantry and get myself a sandwich and a bottle of water.

*buzz buzz*

I looked at the caller ID and immediately pick up the call. "Yes Mark, anything?" I asked in concerned tone. "Christina and Abby is MISSING!" he shouted in an angry tone. "They both went over to the cotton candy stall then suddenly balloons are floating everywhere, kids running around and I got pushed further behind them. When I reached then stall, both of them aren't there. What should I do now?" he asked. "Calm down Mark. Take a deep breath and listen to me, okay" I asked him while trying to calm him down. "Can you try walk further up and check on each building's side door and see which one is not lock then go in and try to look around. The person aimed is on Christina and will leave Abby somewhere. You think you can do that?" I asked hoping he understood what I am asking him to do. "Ok.. I got it" he informed. "Good, if you managed to find Abby, please call Jonathan as he and my other team member is nearby there. He will know what to do while I will track down Cristina on her bracelet. Not to worry and please be safe" I informed him then ended the call.

I walked back into my previous post to continue my work and noticed a guy with same uniform as I slowly pushed a big trolley in with some baggage on it; one big and two smaller ones. I walked over and confront him.

Ash:"Hi! Do you need any help there? By the way my name is Ash and I just joined today. Did you just come to work because I didn't notice you this morning? I asked him while putting out my hand to him for a handshake.

Young Man:"H-Hi!I a-am Carlos and just c-checked in for my shift. That is why you d-didn't see me this morning" he said then shakes my hand.

Ash:"Oh..no wonder. Nice meeting you. I walked passed him and scanned through his employee tag; is labeled as Carlos BUT If not mistaken, Carlos is not supposed to work today as in now because his shift starts at 7pm while is just 3pm now. I started to drop some of those waste packages into the minivan in-front while looking at what the guy is doing. He seems trying his luck to carry a huge package and load it into the minivan. "Do you need some help here? It seems that is kind of a huge waste package you have there and you are struggling to load it into the minivan. Wonder where does this waste come from because this is the largest I have seen compare to those coming from the restaurants and cafes downtown" I asked.

Young man:"Ermm.. is from the hotel at the corner there. They seems to have full occupancy these few days due to the Carnival so they called and ask me to drop-by just now to pick it up so we can send it to the Main Depot and I can handle this, t-thank you for a-asking" he said then continue to carry the baggage and walked towards the minivan and load it inside carefully.

Ash:"Okay then. I will be there when you need any help" I said and showing him where I will be resuming my work.

I pretend to go to the washroom. Once I am inside the washroom and confirmed that I am alone, I took out my phone, unlocked it and activate the locations detector beacon on Christina's bracelet. I then plugged in my earphones so no one will hear the beacon beeping sound. Then I walked back to my working post where the beacon starts to beep louder and it's seems like the object is moving. I realized that the young guy had finished loading those packages and baggage and when he then closes the back door of the minivan and when he wants to hop into the driver side I went towards him and approached him.

Ash:"Hi! Thomas asked me to go with you to the depot and since you have so many packages to unload later, he says you can't handle them alone so asked me to tag along" I told him while hopping into the passenger seat.

Young man:"S-sure" he replied coldly.

I can feels he is not happy with it and his eyes showed how frustrated he is once I hopped into the minivan but I am sure he can't do anything right now to avoid being suspicious. The beeping sound of the beacon is still beeping very loud in my earphone and I need to finds out and confirmed that Christina is inside one of the packages.

*skipped the drive*

When we reached the depot, he parked the car nearby a black van. Then I started to go down, unload the trolley and assist him in unloading the packages and baggage. When I try to touch the bigger baggage, he stormed over from the driver seat and stops me and accidentally shouted "This one is mine!".

Ash:"I beg your pardon?" I asked then he realized what he said and panicked then suddenly took out a pistol and aimed at me.

Young man:"Look, if you don't wish to die today, just back off" he hissed.

Ash:"Calm down bro... no one is going to die today and please put down the gun, man" I said trying to persuade him to keep his gun.

Young man:"NO! You don't try to sweet talk to me. No one is allowed to be with her. No one is allowed to touch her beside me!" he snorted.

I can feel he is getting impatient and emotionally unstable. Suddenly the big baggage moves and I can hear muffled sound coming out from it. He then starts to get anxious and tried to pull and drag the package away from the minivan. Without him noticing, I quickly rammed into him and knocked him down immediately with his pistol dropped underneath the black van. He then elbowed me at my face then kicked me on my stomach. I fall on the ground and he kicked me again on my head, ribs and stomach then immediately grab the big package and load it into the black van. I tried my best to stands up slowly when he is busy trying to retrieve the pistol underneath the van. I took out my gun and aimed at him.

Ash:"Keeps your hands up or I will shoot" I shouted at him while trying to wipe some blood dripping down from my head. He looked shocked to see me holding a gun pointing at him. Then I heard muffled again coming out from the package. "What you have in there? Opened it up and show me" I asked and gesturing him to open up the package. He then slowly untied the top of the big package and slowly review a crying Christina with her mouth gagged. She has bruises on her face and some blood nearby her eyebrows. My heart stings when I noticed how bad she looks. "Move away now and turn around. Put your hands behind at the back" I instructed.

He then slowly turned around and slowly put his hand behind while I took the cloth away from Christina's mouth. "Shhh...is okay. I am here and you are safe" I calmed her while trying to untie her using my free hand while using my arm to wipe away blood dripping down from my head. She starts crying again when she sees how bad I looked which caused me to give her full attention. The guy noticed I have lost my concentration on him at the corner of his eyes, he quickly turned and kicked my hand then my gun drops on the floor. We both rushed over to get the gun while punching each other face and stomach.

As he is bigger sized and have longer hands than me, he managed to grab the gun and we both rows over where I tried to unload the ammo off the gun he is holding. *BANG!* Then everything just frozen. I can feel my abdomen is burning. He then stands up and fired another shoot at my left chest. I can hear Christina's screams and cries then the sound seems going further and further away. Then I heard lots of footsteps coming nearer and noticed people are rushing over to the parking lot after hearing the gun shoot sound. I rowed over and saw the pistol lying underneath the van and stretched myself over to grab it. Blood is flooding out from my abdomen and chest. I can feel my body is slowly shutting down and my eyes are starting to close.Once my eyes are closed, I see a pair of emerald blue eyes looking of me, begging for help and that's what it takes for me to push my adrenaline to the max. I shoot opened my eyes and pushed my body up to stand, took a jacket out from the minivan which was hanging behind the driver seat, wear it so that I can cover myself from people without noticing my wound.

I then noticed that my eyes color had turned yellow when I looked at the van's window. I unlocked my phone and follow the beeping sound of the beacon further up and running towards it. I saw a black figure carrying someone on his shoulder and when I walked nearer and noticed it was them; the guy and Christina on his shoulder. I fired a shoot in the air and shouted "Don't move or I will shoot. Drop her down immediately... Drop your gun and raise your hands up" The guy stops from his position and starting to drop Christina off from his shoulder. While he slowly puts Christina down, he quickly turned around and before he fired, I fired straight aiming his left chest. Two gun shots were fired; one hit the guy's left chest while another hit my left shoulder. Both of us dropped on the floor. I felt relieved that everything is over and slowly closing my eyes as I realized that I had fully used up my energy and took a deep breath before everything went black.

Third Person POV

Police officers and paramedics rushed over to where the three peoples are; two women and a guy. Jonathan and his teammates arrived shortly. A police woman went to untie Christina and checked on her for any wound while paramedics checked on the guy and Ash. The guy was pronounced dead on the scene while Ash had blacked out due to excessive blood loss. They put her onto the stretcher and were loaded into the ambulance. Christina ran over to where Ash is and wanted to follow her to the hospital in the ambulance but the paramedics stop her because only family is allow. Christina keeps begging the supervisor to allow her to follow them but failed then when Jonathan saw the commotion, he walked over and talked to the supervisor. They later allowed her to go along with Ash on the ambulance to the hospital. "Ash, stays with me please....Please don't sleep...I-we need you" Christina cries and begged during the journey to the hospital.

Once the ambulance arrived, Christina walked down from the ambulance then paramedics unload Ash and pushed her through the emergency entrance. Nurses and a doctor were rushed over to Ash once they transferred her into the hospital bed. Christina wasn't allowed to go near and was instructed to wait at the common waiting area where a nurse attended to her injury; one near her eyebrows, bruises on her face and some cuts on her hands. Not long later, Sophia, Abby, Mark and Jonathan reached the hospital and rushed over to Christina. Christina hugged Abby tightly because she is so happy to see her again. Abby told her that Mark managed to find her in the empty building where the guy dropped her off. Christina was glad that nothing happened to both Sophia and Abby but was worried about Ash. After 10 minutes, a doctor walked over to that group of friends.

Christina POV

Doctor:"Any of you are family members of Ms. Bishop? he asked while we all looked at Jonathan.

Jonathan:"Hi! I am Jonathan, her working partner and sorry to inform that she has no family member as I know off as she is an orphan and her adopted father is no longer here. You can tell me everything" he informed the doctor.

Doctor:"Hi! I am Doctor Avery and I am in-charge of Ms. Bishop case now. It seems that Ms. Bishop had lost a lot of blood. She had three gun shoot wound; one on her abdomens, one on her left chest area and one on her right shoulder. She is very lucky to be still alive because normally a person with such blood loss will not reached the hospital alive and also because her heart is located on the right instead of left. If that shot hit her heart, I can sure she will dies immediately on the spot. She has some fractures on her ribs and some swelling on her brain. We had transferred her up to the neurology department and she is undergoing a surgery now.

My heart sunk when the doctor told us how much injuries Ash had and she might have died if she is not born with a heart on the right side. I tried to hold on to myself not to cry and be strong for Ash after what she did for me.

Christina:"Can I know how long the surgery take?" I asked with a concerned look.

Dr. Avery:"Well, if there are no complications during the surgery, it will take around 2-3 hours else it might takes up to 5 hours based on the complications she might have.

Christina:"Can we stay here and wait for her?" I asked Dr. Avery.

Dr. Avery:"Yes you can but I would advise you and your friends to go home, changed and take some rest as the surgery just started will take some time" he explained.

Jonathan:"Thanks you Dr. Avery for everything" he said and shakes Dr. Avery's hand.

Dr. Avery:"You are most welcome. Is my job to make sure every patient get the best medical attention they need by us when they come in" he said then walked away.

Sophia:"I think we all should go home, shower and rest then come back again tomorrow during visiting hours plus you need to drop-by the police station to submit a full report so that they can close this case" she said while Abby nodded.

Jonathan:"Is ok. I can get Sandy over tomorrow to meet up with you at your place since it has been a frightful day for you today on everything which had happened. You need some time to rest and get over stuff happens today. If you need a therapist, I can recommend one for you whom police officers tend to visit. She is good in her field and nice to talk with" he said while giving me a name card of the lady therapist contact details.

Christina:"Thanks and I think I am good. Just a bit worried about Ash" I said then walked towards the elevator waiting to go up to the neurology dept.

Abby:"Aren't you going home to shower and rest? You have encountered enough for today and your body needs rest in order to recover and your mind needs rest in order to think straight. You aren't going to sit here and wait. If you don't wish Ash to worry about you and see your sad face, you need to go home now with us" she said then grabbed my arm and pulled me over and walked towards the exit together with Mark and Sophia.

Jonathan:"Abby is right. You need to get home and cleanup yourself then rest. I am sure you don't wish Ash see you like this" he gestured on how bad I looked now with messy hair, dirty cloths and pants.

Christina:"Okay. I guess you guys are right. I need to look presentable so Ash won't get freaked out when she wakes up" I smiled then walked out together with the rest. "By the way, can I know who is the guy whom kidnap and harasses me all this while?" I asked Jonathan before walking towards the parking lot.

Jonathan:"His name is Fedric Piece... You know him?" he asked while waiting for my answer.

Sophia:"Fedric as the guy whom in-charge of the props for the film you are in right, Christina?" she said in shocked.

Christina:"Yes...I can't believe he is the guy whom does such act. He seems nice guy during filming session where he make sure the props and stuff are ready and also he is a very nice person as many of the staff likes him as he is very polite and kind" I said is unbelievable tone.

Jonathan:"Well, you can't judge a book by it's cover same goes to can't judge a person from the outlook they are or how they act because it might not the real person inside" he explained and I nodded.

*skipped the drive to the condo*

Sophia:"You sure you don't need us to stay overnight here with you so you can talk things out with us?" she asked while Abby give me a concerned look.

Christina:"I am sure and I wish to be alone for now. Really thank you both for everything. I don't know how I will get through without you guys around and also Mark. Please tell him not to blamed himself because is not his fault for losing us. Everything is out of extra ordinaries where no one can think of what will happen next" I said and they both nodded. "Goodbye and see you guys tomorrow" I waved them goodbye then closed and locked my unit door.

I went to the kitchen to get a bottle of water to drink. Then I walked up to my bedroom, towards the bathroom and undressed. I turned on the hot shower and once the water hits me on my skin, I felt relief and my muscles softened. After 20 minutes, I wrapped myself with a towel then walked out towards my closet. I took out a pair of sweatpants and my favorite hoodie. I dried my hair, put my phone on the night stand to charge then goes to my bed then covered myself with the soft duvet and soon I dozed off.

p/s: Please comment and vote if you like my story and sorry for all the spelling and grammar mistake .. :) xxx