The Trap

Alex stood amidst the chaos, his heart pounding as he focused solely on his little sister, Nawe, and Sara. The cacophony of gunfire echoed around him, punctuated by the screams of those caught in the crossfire. Each shot was a reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond the shadows, and every scream sent icy tendrils of fear creeping up his spine.

His attention shifted momentarily to his father, who stood unmoved in the lift. An eerie calm enveloped him, even as bullets whizzed past. Alex narrowed his eyes, striding toward him, only to realize the figure before him was nothing more than an illusion conjured by his father's ring. A smirk played on the phantom's lips, mocking him. What was his father trying to convey? Was this some twisted trick?

As the fight raged on, Alex's thoughts were consumed by the image of his father's friend, who remained stoic and unyielding in the lift. The laughter that erupted from him was jarring, echoing off the factory walls, drawing attention from the chaos. Blood dripped from his right arm, yet he stood tall, scanning the room for any sign safety of his friends or sister.

"Officer!" Alex called out, desperation lacing his voice. "Have you seen Inspector John? Where are they?"

Just then, the officers burst into the fray, joining the battle with renewed vigor. "It's okay to join now; I've found them.

He spotted his father's cell phone lying on the ground, a glimmer of hope amidst the carnage. As he picked it up, he saw that Sara was weaker than his sister Nawe so she was safe, her fierce protectiveness evident on Mia's face. He began scrolling through the phone, his heart racing.

Then he found it—a video. He pressed play, and his father's face appeared, a mask of sorrow. "My son, I'm sorry. I wish I knew better before I chose to save my friend and left you all alone at home. I lost you that night, but I won't make that same mistake again."

Tears filled Alex's eyes as he watched his father's anguish. The last words struck him like a blow: "Make sure when you find my video, get your friends and run. It's a trap. Albert is using that young lady as bait."

Alex's heart plummeted. The realization struck him with the force of a freight train. Nawe, Mia, and everyone else were in grave danger. He threw the phone down, panic surging through him as he noticed Sara trying to lead Nawe away.

"No!" he shouted, sprinting toward them just as Nawe prepared to throw a kick. He caught her in mid-air, his grip firm.

"What's going on?" Nicky asked, confusion etched on his face as he joined them.

"We have to leave this place now!" Alex's voice was urgent, his expression fierce.

The chaos escalated as screams filled the air. Sara, in a fit of rage, shouted, "Stay! We should all die today!"

Mia's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Sara, who drew her gun and fired into the air, each bullet a desperate cry for control.

"Run!" Alex yelled, and they all bolted for the exit, the factory's walls trembling with the chaos behind them.

Meanwhile, Timmy and the man in black were busy planting bombs in various corners of the factory. Timmy's heart raced as he caught sight of something slithering in the shadows. Snakes. A horde of them, coiling and writhing, their scales glistening in the dim light. He cursed under his breath, paralyzed by the sight of the larger snakes devouring the smaller ones.

The sound of hissing filled the air, a chorus of terror that sent him sprinting down the corridor, desperate to escape.

"Sir, we have to leave right away!" he shouted as he stumbled into a group of officers. But his heart sank as he realized Alex was still inside, his expression as cold as ice. The knowledge that Alex had discovered the truth weighed heavily on him. Where are they?! Timmy shouted as he struggled but Alex's voice stop his madness.

Do you wish to die his cold eyes stared into his soul as he

As they bolted for the exit, Alex's mind raced with questions. Why hadn't he checked the entire building? What was his father's plan? Would he come back alive?

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, and Sara's screams pierced the air. The floor crumbled, and she fell, her cries echoing as she was consumed by the darkness below. The horror of it all paralyzed Alex for a moment, watching as snakes slithered from the shadows, feasting on her flesh.

"Brother, what is going on?" Nawe's voice broke through his stupor.

"Run!" he yelled, and they surged forward, escaping the factory just as the chaos behind them erupted.

Back inside, Alex's father confronted Albert, his voice trembling with rage. "You brought my family here to die! Why?" Why are you quiet? Am asking you Albert

"I helped you!" Albert replied, panic rising in his voice. As he checked his surroundings with cold sweat on his forehead.

"No more games!" Alex's father shouted, pointing his gun at Albert. "You've brainwashed that girl. Now she's dead! Are you enjoying this?" Aaah!!

"Stop wasting time! They're surrounding us!" Albert's voice was frantic.

"I know!" Alex's father roared, desperation clawing at him. "We will die here!"

In a moment of madness, he aimed his gun at Albert, pulling the trigger. Albert's scream echoed as he fell, swallowed by a mass of snakes that awaited him.

Alex's father backed away, realizing he was cornered. He activated a bomb, placing a gun against his own head, a twisted smile on his lips. "I'm coming, my dear," he whispered, smiling before pulling the trigger.

The factory erupted in flames, the ground shaking as the bombs detonated one after another.

As Alex sped away, a heavy heart weighed him down. He knew his father was gone. But there was no time for grief; they had to escape.

In the distance, the factory crumbled, engulfed in fire and darkness. The last thing he heard was the echo of the final explosion, a haunting reminder of the trap they had narrowly escaped.

The wind howled through the trees, a haunting melody that accompanied the rising sun, casting a golden hue over the world. It was a new day, yet the remnants of the night clung to the air like a stubborn fog. "So wait, is it all over?" Mia and James spoke in unison, their voices laced with a mix of hope and despair.

Nicky shook his head, his brow furrowed as he stared out at the beautiful dawn. "Every darkness finds light in faraway areas," he muttered, a mantra he had clung to through the chaos of the night. The words felt hollow, echoing in the silence of their shared trauma.

Alex, still grappling with the weight of the night's events, leaned back in his seat, his fingers nervously tapping the steering wheel. "Mary, Mary, are you there?" His voice quivered with concern, a stark contrast to the bravado he had tried to maintain.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't shout! I can hear you!" Mary replied, her mouth full of toasted bread, the crumbs tumbling down her chin as she spoke. Despite the gravity of the situation, a small smile crept onto Alex's face at her playful tone.

"Can you call the police station?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

"But you have them with you!" Mary shot back, her laughter ringing out like a bell, lightening the mood for just a moment.

"I'm lazy but amazed at Albert," Mary continued, her laughter turning into a chuckle. "He raised snakes, but his children ate him alive!"

Mia, sitting quietly in the back seat, felt a pang of sadness. She recalled Sara's crazed laughter, her wild eyes, and the way she had danced through the chaos like a child playing in the rain. Mia inhaled deeply, trying to shake off the memories that clung to her like shadows.

Jake, sensing the shift in atmosphere, turned to Alex, his expression serious. "What will they do next?" His question hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty.

Alex glanced at Jake, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated their next move. He slowed the car, the engine purring softly like a cat content to rest. Mia straightened in her seat, anticipation thrumming through her veins. She wanted answers, needed them, but what she saw next sent her heart plummeting.

Alex's eyes fluttered, a sudden wave of exhaustion washing over him. The world around them began to blur, colors bleeding into one another as he struggled to remain conscious. "Jake, now I can die…" he muttered, the words barely escaping his lips before his head drooped forward.

Panic filled the car like a thick fog. "No, no, no!" Nawe's voice sliced through the tension, her eyes wide with disbelief. She thought her brother was playing games, but the reality began to sink in as she watched Nicky leap into action.

Nicky flung open the door, his heart racing as he rushed to Alex's side. "Come on, man! Stay with me!" he shouted, the urgency in his voice palpable. He carefully lifted Alex, cradling him as if he were a fragile doll, and placed him in the back seat.

Mia's hands trembled as she reached out to shake Alex, her voice breaking. "Alex! Wake up! Please!" Tears brimmed in her eyes, her heart pounding like a drum. She felt helpless, the weight of the night crashing down on her shoulders.

Nicky, his face set in grim determination, slammed the car door shut and sped off, tires screeching against the asphalt as he raced toward the hospital. The adrenaline coursed through him, but with it came a wave of anger. "Why didn't you just say something, Alex?" he shouted, his voice rising in frustration. "You think this is a joke?"

The car swerved as Mia's fear morphed into anger, her fists clenching. "Stop it, Nicky! Yelling won't help him!" she snapped, her voice sharp as a knife. The tension in the car was electric, emotions colliding like storm clouds.

Nawe, her heart racing, turned to Nicky, her voice trembling. "He needs us! Just drive!" Her childish instinct to mock the situation faded, replaced by a raw, desperate need to save her brother.

As they rushed through the streets, the sun continued to rise, casting long shadows that danced along the pavement. Mia's heart ached with the weight of unspoken words, the anger and sadness swirling within her like a tempest. She wanted to scream, to cry, to mock the absurdity of it all, but instead, she sat in silence, her body tense, waiting for a miracle.

Finally, they arrived at the hospital, the fluorescent lights blinding as they burst through the doors. Nicky leapt from the car, cradling Alex in his arms, and rushed toward the reception. "Help! We need help!" His voice echoed through the sterile hall, desperation clawing at his throat.

Mia followed closely behind, her heart pounding in her chest. The world around her faded as she focused on Alex, the man who had always been their anchor, now slipping away. She felt the tears spill over, hot and angry against her cheeks, but she wiped them away, refusing to let despair take hold.