{{char}} sauntered into the kitchen with an ache in her upper back. She wasn't even 40 and she was already dealing with back pain? Just great, another reason to hate this hollow existence she calls her life. Looking through the fridge for ingredients to make some vegetable juice, her eyes widened when she pulled out a giant bag of weed. "The fuck?" She muttered to herself. But it was already obvious. Adam probably had yet another up and coming movie star staying the night, who decided to use their house as a place to store their personal things. "Oh, hey honey. Hope you don't mind if Scarlett stays the night over again." Her husband, Adam, said as he joined her in the kitchen "You tell that bitch to buy her own fridge. Why the fuck do I have to deal with this crap polluting all my food? You know I hate the smell of weed." "Babe, come on it's-" "Don't 'babe' me. You keep her shit out of my space." {{char}} cuts Adam off, not willing to be talked down to first thing in the morning. "Hmph. You can be a real cunt, you know that?" {{char}}'s face contorted with fury in an instant. She stepped right up toward Adam, getting in his face as if daring him to say it again. "The fuck did you just say to me?" {{char}} asked as she backed him up with every step. "Woah, Maria, calm the fuck down would you? I'm supposed to be doing yoga!"
Adam sighs as he walks away from her, walking back to his room as he close the door behind her. Maria scoffs as she walks back to her place.
"Yeah, yeah. Pussy." Maria muttered under her breath as she poured herself some orange juice. "I should just leave your stupid ass..." She trailed off, knowing deep down she wouldn't dare leave him. Not with how much trouble it would be to hide her real identity and find a new life again. Besides, Tracy needed her mother...or at least that was what she kept telling herself. She took a long gulp of the orange juice, relishing in its tangy sweetness as she tried to push Adam's comment out of her mind. It wasn't easy though; their arguments always seemed to stick with her. Maybe she should do something about it...or just get drunk. Either or.
"Men...so fucking weak."
Maria mutters as she flops down onto the couch in her lavish living room. She kicks off her shoes and takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down after that little display of temper. But then another thought crosses her mind and she shakes her head, more furious than before. It's fucking ridiculous how much Gravy still got under her skin like this. With a huff she picks up the remote and turns on the TV to drown out her thoughts for an hour or two until lunch is ready
After a few hours, she looks at the clock and sees it's past noon. She sighs as she thinks Adam fell asleep during his fucking yoga sessions, as she barges into his room. She sees Adam sitting in a yoga mat in a meditating position, but he's oddly still, making her puzzled until she notices a crack in the window, and a arrow piercing Adam's eyes.
"What the...?" Maria stammered as she took in the sight before her. There was no way this could be real. Her stomach lurched and an icy chill raced down her spine as she glanced back at Adam, who lay motionless on his yoga mat with a hideous arrow sticking out of his eye socket. "Oh my god..." She whispered, feeling like the world had just stopped spinning around her. This couldn't be happening; it was too horrible to comprehend.
Her mind reeled as she slowly approached Adam's body, tears streaming down her face. She hesitated for a moment, not wanting to believe that this was actually real. But when she reached out and tentatively touched his cold cheek, there was no denying it: he was gone.
Her heart felt like it would shatter into a million pieces as she stared at the man who had become such an integral part of her life...and yet someone whom she had never really been able to love fully or forgive for his flaws. Now, with him lying there dead and bloody, Maria couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief wash over her. Maybe now she could finally be free of the past and start fresh without having to constantly look over her shoulder...
She notices there is a note tied on the arrow, and she tucks it off. Her heart drops as she sees the message, ' We know you're not dead.'
Tears streaming down her face, Maria De Sant slowly sank to her knees beside Adam's lifeless body. Her mind reeling with disbelief and horror as she read the note tied to the arrow for a second time. "No...no this can't be..." she sobbed, shaking her head in denial even as the reality of it began to sink in.
With trembling fingers, she pulled out her phone and dialed Tracy's cell number. Her voice cracking as she whispered, "I need you to get out of the house, sweetie. Now." She couldn't protect Tracy from whatever was going on here; all she could do was try to keep her safe until it was over. But for now, her mind was consumed with a strange mix of fear and anger as she struggled to come to terms with Adam's death...and the knowledge that Gravy might still be alive.
She panicks as she notices that Tracy isn't answering either, as she hurries to Tracy's room, only to find the windows open, and a note signing that ' they ' took the kid.
Her stomach lurching, she barely registered the fact that Tracy's room seemed to be in disarray; it was as if someone had ransacked the place in a desperate search for something. The thought of what they might have taken sent icy fingers of terror coursing through her veins. "Oh God..." she breathed, already feeling like she was about to throw up. There was no time to lose; she needed to get out of here before whoever had done this came back...or worse, found Gravy and dragged them into whatever mess they were in the middle of now.
Clutching her cell phone tightly, she darted toward the hall closet, yanking open the door and rummaging through a box full of old coats until she came across her emergency stash: a small bundle of cash and her passport. It wouldn't be enough to keep her safe forever, but it was a start. And if she could just find Tracy...
As she hurries out of her house, she sees a van speeding away, a peek of Tracy's ribbon sticking out of its doors. Maria hops into her car, quickly chasing it.
With tears streaming down her face and a heart full of fear and determination, Maria gunned the engine of her car and took off after the speeding van. The adrenaline surging through her veins made it feel like she could fly as she raced to catch up with the vehicle that had taken her daughter away from her. She prayed silently, begging for some kind of miracle to save them both as she chased after the van, willing her car to go faster and faster still.
The streets seemed to blur around her as Maria focused solely on catching up with the kidnappers; every passing moment felt like an eternity as she fought against panic and despair. She knew that if she lost them now, it might be impossible to find them again...and the thought of losing Tracy forever was unbearable. Her eyes darted from side to side, searching for any sign of her daughter or the van that had taken her away, refusing to give up until one of them was back in her arms where they belonged.
Her heart pounding in her chest, Maria fumbled with the keys to her car as she hurried over, jumping behind the wheel and slamming the door shut just seconds before the engine sputtered back to life. With a screech of tires, she peeled out of the driveway and took off after the speeding van, weaving in and out of traffic like a madwoman as she raced down the street. All that mattered was catching up to them before they got away with her baby girl.
The van drives through the neighborhood, speeding away quickly. The chase continues for hours, as they reach the dark alleys of the neon city lights after the sun sets. Suddenly, the van screeches, crashing to its side as it topples over to the back alley wall.
Before she even realized what was happening, Maria had jumped out of her car and raced toward the crumpled van, her heart in her throat as she frantically searched for any sign of Tracy amidst the wreckage. She heard someone groaning from inside the overturned vehicle; could it be them? Please let it be them...
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she spotted a limp form slumped in the back seat of the van. Her relief was immediate and intense as she hurried over to Tracy's side, gently brushing her hair from her sweaty forehead. "Baby girl..." she whispered tearfully, pressing a tender kiss to her pale cheek. "Are you alright? Can you hear me?"
As she held her daughter close, Maria's attention was drawn to movement outside the van and she glanced up sharply, suddenly aware that whoever had taken them wasn't far behind. Her heart raced as she scanned the darkened alley, searching for any sign of an ambush...or worse, their captors returning to finish what they'd started.
Shaking with fear and adrenaline, Maria pulled Tracy closer to her chest, tears streaming down her face as she tried desperately to reassure herself that everything would be all right now. Because if there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that she wouldn't let anything happen to her baby girl ever again.
She suddenly feels presence as she whips behind, only to see a tall, broad man with a mechanical right arm, holding a shotgun at her head, his clothes bloody as if he'd just slain a few people. Her eyes slowly recognize who it is... Gravy.
Her heart lurches in her chest as she sees Gravy standing there, his features hardened by rage and what appears to be bloodstains on his clothes. In that moment, all of the years of anger, betrayal, and resentment come flooding back, leaving her feeling small and defenseless.
"G-Gravy..." she whispers, tears rolling down her cheeks as she slowly raises her hands in surrender. "I'm sorry... I never meant for any of this to happen." Her voice trembles with fear and guilt, the words barely audible over the pounding of her heart.
But even as she apologizes, Maria can't help but feel a strange sense of relief at seeing Gravy here. Maybe there's still hope... maybe they can figure all of this out together.
I look at her emotionless, my eyes turning to the little girl in Maria's arms. I gently lift the brush of hair over my left eye to reveal a burn scar that totally mangled my left face, silently telling her I got this after trying to save her then, when she faked her death.
As Gravy looks at Tracy, her heart wrenches even further; the pain in his expression clear as day despite his stoic demeanor. Her fingers twitch with an overwhelming urge to reach out and comfort him, but she holds herself back, not sure if it's safe to do so anymore.
"It wasn't me..." Maria whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "I swear it." She tries to meet Gravy's gaze, hoping that he'll believe her even though everything seems to be conspiring against her right now. "Whoever did this, they knew I was still alive... and they took Tracy because of it..." Her voice trails off as she fights back tears, searching for any sign of understanding or mercy in Gravy's expression.
She sees my face twitch as she mentions Tracy, as I whisper if she managed to even bear a daughter while living her sweet happy life, while I was fighting for my life with this horrible scars.
Tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she sees the anguish and hurt on Gravy's face; it nearly breaks her heart to know that she was partly responsible for it all. With a shuddering breath, she nods slowly, "I didn't... not right away." Her fingers tighten protectively around Tracy, unwilling to let go even now. "I thought you were dead, Gravy... I never meant for any of this to happen..."
She pauses, searching for the words that might explain everything without sounding like she's making excuses. "I was scared," she whispers at last. "Scared of losing everything... and I thought if I could just disappear, maybe things would go back to how they were before." Her voice catches in her throat as tears spill down her cheeks. "But it didn't work, did it?"
She looks up at Gravy, waiting for some sign that she's not completely lost to them both... that there might still be a way out of this mess alive and together.
A tall, young woman with bright red hair in a ponytail and a toned body walks over to us, as she whispers who Maria is to me. I turn to Maria and tell her this is Song, my assistant who served me since Maria's 'death'.
Maria looks at the woman who has approached them warily, nodding slightly in acknowledgment before returning her gaze to Gravy. "I'm sorry... I should have come forward sooner," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "But I was scared..." She pauses, drawing a shaky breath before continuing. "If there's anything I can do to make this right, Gravy, please let me know." Her eyes search his face for any hint of forgiveness or understanding; she'll take what she can get at this point.
Song's eyes seemed to burn for a moment, as she suddenly lunges forward and grabs Maria's collar with her mechanical right arm, yelling at her if she knows how much time Gravy had to suffer in despair after he thought he failed to save her life.
With tears streaming down her face and fear gripping her heart, Maria winces as Song's mechanical arm presses painfully against her throat. She tries to respond, but the words catch in her throat as she struggles for breath. "I-I'm sorry..." she manages to choke out between ragged gasps. "I never meant... I didn't realize..."
As she looks up at Gravy again, searching his face for some sign of mercy or forgiveness, all she can see is the anguish and hurt etched deep into his features. The knowledge that she has brought this pain upon him weighs heavily on her soul, filling her with a mixture of guilt and self-loathing. Her eyes burn as hot tears spill down her cheeks, wetting Song's glove where it holds her collar. "Please..." she whispers hoarsely. "I'll do anything to make this right..."
Maria De Sant tries to pull away from Song's grip, but the mechanical strength of the arm easily overpowers her own weakened struggles. Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she continues to apologize, willing Gravy to believe that she really does want to help however she can.
"I-I'll do whatever you say... p-please just let me make this up to you..."
I sigh as I slowly tell Song to release, as Song curses under breath as she backs away. I command Song to take the girl to a safe place, as Song nods and takes Tracy's little hand.
"T-Take good care of her..." Maria whispers tearfully, reaching out a shaking hand to touch Tracy's cheek before pulling it back at the last moment. She looks up at Gravy again, her eyes pleading with him to understand. "Please... just give me a chance to make this right..." Her voice trails off as she bites her lip, willing him to believe that she really is sincere.
With a shuddering breath, Maria straightens her shoulders and squares her jaw, trying to summon up some of the strength and determination she once had before everything went so terribly wrong. She forces herself to meet Gravy's gaze head-on, refusing to look away or show any hint of weakness. "I can help you," she says, her voice steady despite the quavering in her chest. "Whatever it takes... I can make this right."
The silence that follows feels as if it lasts for an eternity; time seems to stand still as Maria waits for Gravy's response, her heart in her throat and hope clinging tenuously to her battered soul.
I sigh, as I tell Maria to follow me. Me and Song lead her to a dark underground bunker, where our group uses as a hideout. Xander, a young handsome athletic man with sleek black hair who is my best man, ushers us insides as Song lays Tracy down on a white bed for sleep.
As they lead her deeper into the darkness, Maria follows dutifully, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and determination. She can't help but wonder if she's made the right decision in coming here; whether or not she'll ever be able to regain Gravy's trust after all that's happened.
Inside the bunker, Maria takes in her surroundings with a shaky breath. It feels almost surreal, as if she's stepped back in time to when they were all still together, before everything went so horribly wrong. She looks around for a place to sit, her eyes searching for some sign that this is where Gravy and his crew have been hiding all these years... wondering how much of it was real, and how much of it was just an elaborate game to them.
Her gaze eventually lands on Tracy sleeping peacefully in the corner, and she feels a wave of protectiveness wash over her. Gently, she kneels beside the bed, reaching out to tenderly smooth back a stray lock of hair from the little girl's forehead. For now, all that matters is ensuring Tracy is safe; everything else can wait until they have time to sort through their tangled past and decide what comes next.
I get Maria to join me in a round table with Song and Xander, as she nervously sips the tea Xander brought for us. She can see the scars and blood on our bodies showing the hard years of death we went through.
Swallowing hard, Maria takes the tea from Xander with trembling hands and takes a tentative sip. The warmth it provides feels oddly comforting, though she's not sure if it's enough to counteract the fear that gnaws at her stomach. She looks around the table, feeling out of place and uncertain as she meets the gazes of Gravy, Song, and Xander one by one. None of them seem particularly friendly or welcoming; they all carry the weight of their past struggles with them like invisible burdens.
Still, Maria tries to put on a brave front. "I understand if you don't trust me," she says softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of blood rushing in her ears. "But I swear... I can help. Whatever it takes." She pauses, looking down at her hands before meeting Gravy's eyes once more. "I never meant for any of this to happen. I just wanted to protect Tracy..." Her voice trails off, the words feeling hollow and inadequate even as she speaks them.
The silence that follows is heavy with tension; Maria feels like she can almost taste it, thick and metallic on her tongue. But despite everything, a tiny spark of determination ignites inside her chest. If there's even the smallest chance to make things right... well, she won't give up without trying.
Her gaze flickers from Gravy to Song, then back again. "So," she manages finally, attempting a small smile that feels anything but genuine. "What now?"
Song bangs the table, yelling at Maria that what she means to ' Forgive her'. She shouts that our crew lost all our men all these years after Maria left us for her sweet happy life, and it's just three of us left now. She yells that Maria will never understand the despair and grief we went through all these years.
Maria winces as Song's words cut into her already raw emotions. The pain and anguish they've all suffered weigh heavily upon her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She looks at Gravy, searching his eyes for some sign of forgiveness or understanding, but finds only more anger and hurt reflected there. It feels like a knife twisting in her gut as she realizes that perhaps the distance between them is even greater than she'd feared.
Her hand trembles as she lifts it to rub at her eyes, fighting back tears. "I never meant for any of this," she whispers hoarsely. "I just wanted to protect Tracy... and I thought that if I could disappear, maybe things would go back to how they were..." Her voice trails off, her words sounding hollow even to her own ears.
She looks down at the table, feeling small and insignificant. "If there's anything I can do...," she begins, then trails off, not sure what more she can say that will make a difference. She glances up at Gravy once more, her eyes pleading with him to believe her, to forgive her... but all she sees is the same cold determination she's seen before, and it breaks something inside of her.
"I-I understand if you never want to see me again..."
Xander puts his hand on Song's shoulders, calming her down with his low, soft voice. Song huffs in anger as she regains her state, as I silently stare at Maria's face.
As the silence stretched on, Maria felt her heart racing and her breath catching in her throat. She knew that what she had done, what she hadn't done, still haunted them all. Looking down at the table once more, she fought to keep the tears from spilling over. "I-I know I can never make this right," she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely audible above the sound of her own ragged breathing. "But if there's something you want me to do...if there's some way I can help fix what I've broken..." She trailed off, unable to meet Gravy's gaze as she struggled to find the words that would make any difference.
Her hands trembled where they clenched into fists on her lap, and she could feel the weight of everything pressing down upon her like a thousand tons of brick. All she wanted was for things to go back to how they were before; for her and Gravy and their little family to be happy again, even if it meant letting Tracy live out the rest of her life without knowing who her mother truly was. But as much as she wished it, she knew that wish would never come true now.
Her eyes squeezed shut, blinking back hot tears as she forced herself to take a shaky breath, steeling herself for whatever decision Gravy might make. "Just...please tell me what I can do," she managed finally, her voice little more than a whisper.