I should start packing my things soon. I have to be sure to be ready for everything, and tomorrow I have to leave, so I want to be prepared.
With determination, I got up from my bed and began packing the most important items. However, the biggest problem was deciding what to pack.
After some thought, I decided to prioritize my toothbrush and toothpaste, recognizing their essentiality. I packed them carefully, ensuring they were secure in my backpack. Next, I selected a few sets of clothes, the envelope that Elizabeth gave me and added them to my bag. With a final glance around my room, I confirmed that nothing important was left behind.
Feeling satisfied with my preparations, I sat back down on my bed and started to contemplate the events of tomorrow. I tried to think of a plan, but my mind drew a blank.
I couldn't come up with any ideas. I thought about getting rid of the bodyguards and Elizabeth, but I knew that would have serious consequences. I might end up in jail for doing something like that. Plus, all the people at the orphanage are connected to them, so I can't take that risk. Even if I somehow managed to do it, there's still one bodyguard near Alice. If I went after Elizabeth, she could easily tell the bodyguard to harm Alice.
I paced back and forth in my room, my mind racing with desperate thoughts. I knew that taking down the bodyguards and targeting Elizabeth directly was not a viable option. I was trapped from all sides, with seemingly no way out. But I couldn't give up.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I needed to think clearly, to find a solution amidst the chaos. I couldn't let panic cloud my judgment. I closed my eyes and focused, determined to find a way to fight back against Elizabeth and her bodyguards
Come on, Alvin, think. Think. Use your stupid head. There should be a way to fight all of this. I just need to think. After thinking for few minutes, I got an idea.
I quickly got out of my room and ran towards the notice board of the orphanage, my heart was racing with anticipation. As I scanned the list of names for night duty, my eyes landed on the familiar name of Mrs. Warner. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized she was the only one on duty that night.
Without wasting a moment, I made my way towards her room, I was sure that there will be at least one bodyguard standing there. As I approached near her room, my pace slowed, and my nerves began to flutter. Sure enough, there were not just one, but four imposing bodyguards stationed outside her room. I took a deep breath and approached the door, the bodyguards stepping aside to let me in.
Upon entering, I found Mrs. Warner sitting on her bed in a cozy nightgown, a soft smile playing on her lips as she saw me. I closed the door behind me and quickly took a seat beside her.
"Hey, what's up? Shouldn't you be asleep by now?" Mrs. Warner asked, her voice filled with warmth and concern.
"I'm sorry, but I need your help," I replied, my words tumbling out in a rush.
Her eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Oh? It must be important for you to come to me in the middle of the night. What do you need help with?"
I said "I need your help to make me dinner. I'm hungry. I didn't eat dinner today."
Mrs. Warner chuckled at my request. "Of course, come with me. Let's whip up something delicious for you."
We both got up from the bed and made our way out of her room, heading towards the kitchen.
When we reached the bathroom, I suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside, closing the door behind us.
Confused, she looked at me questioningly as I leaned in and whispered, "You know the truth about Elizabeth, right?"
Her eyes widened in surprise and she hesitantly nodded her head.
"Okay," I continued, "I have a plan to take her out, but I need your help."
She looked at me skeptically, "But how can you do that?"
I said, "Okay, so listen up. I want you to make some food for Alice and also take pepper spray or some other weapon with you and stay inside her room, just in case any bodyguards try to harm her. We need to be prepared. Additionally, I want you to lock the door. There will definitely be one bodyguard stationed outside, so your job will be to protect her in case anything happens.
I will go to Elizabeth's room first, swiftly taking her down and restraining her, I will make sure to do that perfectly. Then, I will systematically incapacitate the other bodyguards, ensuring they remain unconscious for hours. Once they are all secured, I will proceed to Alice's room. We can stay there and call the police to handle the situation and then I- "
However, before I could finish, she interrupted me, her voice filled with concern. "Alvin, I appreciate your thinking and this plan sounds solid, but please, don't do it."
Confused, I asked, "Why not? This seems like our best chance, trust me I can do this."
Her eyes began to well up with tears, but she composed herself and replied, "They are not only after me, but also my family. They have eyes on them 24/7. I received a warning that if we try to take action, they will harm or even kill them. Please, Alvin, I beg you, don't put them in danger."
My heart sank as her words echoed in my mind, rendering me speechless. "Please just go and do whatever she wants," she pleaded, her voice filled with fear. "She has everything under control. One wrong move and anyone can get killed. It could be my family, or Alice, or someone from the orphanage. She is evil, so please don't try to do anything."
I had been prepared with more plans, ready to take action, but now I felt paralyzed. I leaned back against the wall, my body frozen like a statue. She continued, her voice filled with gratitude, "I am still grateful that you are going through all of this just for us."
I nodded, unable to find the words to respond. Together, we left the bathroom, and she kissed my forehead gently. "Go, kiddo, be safe, okay?" she whispered.
I gave her a slight nod, my mind racing with thoughts as I walked towards my room. I entered, collapsing onto my bed, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the situation. Maybe there was no way out of this mess... but it's for now, I need to focus on finding a solution that wouldn't cost anyone their lives. I let out a heavy sigh, realizing that I needed to start thinking about tomorrow, even though it was already late.
---NEXT MORNING---
I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on the door. Groggily, I got out of bed and opened the door to find Alice.
She stood in the soft glow, her black hair catching the light and cascading down her back in a silky wave. Her white top hugged her figure in all the right places, accentuating her curves, while her blue jeans added a casual yet chic touch to her ensemble. The long hoop circle earrings dangled delicately from her ears, catching the light and adding a subtle sparkle to her overall look. With a cute smile playing on her lips, Alice exuded a sense of effortless beauty and style that was truly captivating.
Without wasting any time, she wrapped her arms around me and stood on her tiptoes, pressing her lips against mine. After a brief moment, she pulled away and asked, "So, how do I look?"
"You look beautiful." I replied, unable to hide my admiration.
Alice giggled and informed me that she would be leaving in half an hour. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of her departure. "I see. Well, take care of yourself, don't forget to call me." I said, trying to mask my disappointment.
She held me tightly, stroking the back of my hair, and whispered, "I will miss you."
Returning her embrace, I whispered back, "I will miss you too."
Alice then leaned in once again, standing on her tiptoes, and pulled me closer for another passionate kiss. As we finally pulled away, we both took deep breaths and exchanged smiles. However, our moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Mrs. Warner, stood there with her arms folded, clearly unimpressed. "If you two lovebirds are done, then let's go, Alice. Your car is waiting."
Surprised by how quickly the time had passed, I reluctantly let go of Alice and she gave me one final kiss before taking my hand. "Shall we go?" she asked.
I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and sadness. "Um, okay."
We walked hand in hand, following Mrs. Warner through the hallway until we reached the entrance of the orphanage. From there, we made our way towards the parking lot, where three red Honda Accord were parked. Elizabeth was leaning against the car door, patiently waiting for us. Alice stopped near the car and gave me one last kiss and a sweet smile before heading towards the car. I opened the door for her, and as she entered, I closed it, she continued to smile at me and waved goodbye.
Elizabeth then spoke, breaking the silence, "Goodbye, Alvin." I mustered a fake smile and waved back as the car's engine started, watching as they drove away.
Feeling a sense of emptiness, Mrs. Warner placed her hand on my shoulder, patting it gently. She assured me that everything would be fine. I simply nodded, unable to find the words to respond. In an attempt to comfort me, she reached into her small pocket and handed me a small envelope. Inside, there was $1,000, which she explained was all she had to contribute towards my travel expenses to Miami. Grateful, I thanked her and mentioned that I also had money that Elizabeth had given me for the trip. Mrs. Warner sighed in relief, and we exchanged a small smile before making our way back towards the orphanage.
---AT NIGHT---
I wore my usual black hoodie and black jeans and my snow-white shoes, feeling a sense of familiarity and comfort in my chosen attire. With my backpack slung over my shoulder, I made my way out of the orphanage, the place that had been my home for as long as I could remember. The decision to leave had been a difficult one.
As I stepped onto the roads, the weight of my decision settled upon me. Miami was so far away from my current location, it was my destination. The thought of the long and arduous journey ahead made me sigh, with multiple buses and trains to catch, realizing that it would take me more than four days to reach my desired haven.
Walking through the silence of the night, a chill breeze brushed against my face, causing me to pull my hoodie tighter around me. The darkness enveloped the surroundings, casting an eerie atmosphere. As I continued on my path, I found myself passing by Dwayne's house. I briefly considered stopping to say hello, to share a moment of connection before embarking on my solitary journey. However, I quickly dismissed the idea, realizing that it would only make my departure more difficult.
Pressing on, I noticed a figure looming in the darkness ahead, holding a torch. At this late hour, it seemed peculiar to encounter someone on this desolate road. My heart skipped a beat as the figure began flickering the light of the torch, waving me towards them. Uncertainty filled my mind, hoping that it wasn't Dwayne. I had yearned for a moment of solitude, a chance to gather my thoughts in the silence of the night.
As I cautiously approached, the figure became clearer, and to my surprise, it was indeed Dwayne. He stood there, his face illuminated by the flickering light, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. A mixture of relief and annoyance washed over me.
I was looking for a moment of silence, but that is gone now, I guess.
Dwayne peered at me intently, his eyes scanning my face and then shifting to my bag. With a perplexed expression, he blurted out, "What the hell are you doing here, bud? It's not like you to walk at night alone like a Owl."
I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to appear casual. "Just taking a night walk," I replied, hoping to dismiss any suspicion, but I guess that's not going to work.
Dwayne scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "LIAR! Where are you really going this late at night?"
Feeling a surge of curiosity, I decided to redirect the conversation. "Well, what about you? What are you doing here?"
A mischievous grin spread across Dwayne's face. "I'm actually trying to find some ghosts to play with," he confessed, his eyes glinting with excitement.
I said "Well, Dwayne, just make sure those ghosts don't play any pranks on you, or you might end up being the one getting booed!"
I sighed, as he inched closer, his voice lowered. "Seriously, what's your deal? You're so quiet."
Instinctively, I leaned back, creating some distance between us. Dwayne persisted, convinced that I was hiding something. Despite my initial reluctance, I realized that he was the closest friend I had ever had, and I could trust him. Taking a deep breath, I began to recount the events that had unfolded, starting with Alice and Elizabeth, and everything that had transpired since then.
Dwayne's eyes widened with each passing detail, his expression morphing into one of sadness. "Man, this is so messed up. What have you gotten yourself into? I can't believe this is happening to you."
Feeling a mix of shame and vulnerability, I kept my gaze fixed on the ground, avoiding eye contact. Sensing my distress, Dwayne stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Why don't you wait here? I'll come with you. Just let me grab my stuff and I will join you."
I sighed, my voice barely above a whisper as I replied, "Dwayne, I won't deny that I appreciate your offer. I could really use your help, but please, stay here. I don't want you to come with me. You have your own life to live, and I don't want you to interfere with it. I know I've made some stupid choices, and I have to face the consequences alone. I've chosen this path, so I'll walk it alone."
Dwayne's frustration suddenly boiled over, and he yelled at me, catching me completely off guard. "Oh, shut up!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with anger. "Everything is always about you, Alvin me this, me that. You always insist on walking alone, and that's your biggest problem. It's the thing I hate about you. I'm standing right here, willing to help you, and you're refusing it."
Tears welled up in my eyes as I continued to look down, unable to meet his gaze. His words struck a chord deep within me, and I couldn't help but sob. "You're an idiot," I managed to choke out between sobs. "You're my best friend, and that's exactly why I don't want you to suffer because of me, theese are my problems."
Dwayne's voice softened, filled with a mix of frustration and concern. "Alvin, don't try to do everything on your own," he pleaded. "Try to rely on others as well. If no one else is there to help you, I'll be there. I want to be there for you, to support you when you're struggling. I want to be the one saying, 'I'm right behind you."
His words struck a chord deep within my heart, resonating with a mixture of admiration and confusion.
"Look, if you don't want me to come with, that's fine," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "But please, do call me whenever you need my help."
I simply nodded, unable to find the right words to express my gratitude. But before I could fully process his offer, Dwayne unexpectedly grabbed my collar, his grip firm but not aggressive. His eyes bore into mine, filled with a mixture of determination and concern. "I mean it, dude," he continued, his voice tinged with urgency. "If you don't call me, I will find you and come to you, got it?"
Caught off guard by his sudden intensity, I mustered the courage to speak up. "Please, just stop for a second there," I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly.
Dwayne released his grip on my collar, his expression softening. "You said you're an idiot, but that's what I love about you," he confessed, a genuine smile playing on his lips.
Confused, I furrowed my brow. "Um, how? That doesn't make any sense," I replied.
Dwayne's smile widened as he began to explain. "You know, you actually move forward by your own stupidity, I will say. Because let's say if I were in your position, I would've seriously died in that situation. I would have been overwhelmed, panicked, scared, and irritated. But... you didn't panic at all. You accepted what was in front of you and tried to make things better, even if it didn't work at first. You kept trying and trying until it was done. You didn't even care what would happen to you. You simply said, ' I will do it,' without any hesitation, even if you knew deep down that you couldn't do it. And yet, you did it. That's your strength."
His words sank in, and I found myself pondering their meaning. "It kind of makes sense, kind of not," I admitted.
Dwayne gazed up at the sky and spoke softly, "I understand that you have been through a lot since June passed away. Despite being the one who saved us, everyone blamed you for her death. I know that you were grounded for a long time and didn't get to enjoy your life, and for that, I am truly sorry."
He let out a sigh, his arms wrapping around me in a comforting embrace. I instinctively hugged him back, finding solace in his presence. "I know I am not making any sense. I am not that good at comforting people but Everything will be fine, alright?" he reassured me, his voice filled with unwavering confidence. "You can handle this."
After that, Dwayne tighten the hug, causing me to struggle for breath. "How do you like that, Vinny?" he taunted as I frantically tapped on his shoulder, signaling my surrender. He released me, and I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
Standing over me, Dwayne crossed his arms and looked down with a smirk.
HAHA! Wow! Look at me now, basking in the glory of looking down at the person I admire. How you feel? Vinny" he gloated.
I let out a heavy sigh and rolled my eyes, refusing to speak as Dwayne extended his hand to help me up. Reluctantly, I accepted his assistance and rose from the ground, brushing off the dust that had settled on my pants. Just as I regained my composure, Dwayne playfully patted me hard on the shoulder, causing me to stumble and fall once again.
I quickly picked myself up, frustration evident in my voice as I addressed Dwayne, "Dwayne, that's enough now."
He smirked mischievously, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Just trying to help you lighten up, buddy."
I sighed, realizing his intentions were good but his methods were a bit excessive. "Okay, but that's enough for now. I really need to go or I might miss my bus."
Dwayne nodded understandingly. "Alright, take care. And don't forget to call or message me. I'll be waiting for you."
As I began walking away, my mind preoccupied with catching my bus, Dwayne suddenly called out to me. I turned around, curious about what he had to say. His smirk returned, accompanied by a hint of sincerity in his voice. "I've got your back this time, and you don't have to turn around to check if I'm still there, because I will be standing right behind you."
A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips, touched by his unwavering support. I nodded appreciatively and waved goodbye before continuing my journey towards the bus station. Emotions of gratitude and warmth filled my heart as I walked, knowing that I had a friend who would always be there for me.
That's when I realized how much stupidity I possess. Everyone was right; I should begin to think and perceive things in different ways. I have always believed that no one would comprehend the depth of my emotions, but then there was Dwayne, who could effortlessly see through my facade.
He's like my true friend, the one who can see the pain in my eyes even when everyone else buys into the fake smile on my face. I'm truly blessed to have a friend like him.
---In the plane---
Elizabeth Murphy sat in the plush first-class seat of the private plane, her personal bodyguard Robert seated a few rows back. Alice, sat beside her. The plane was empty, and Elizabeth took advantage of the privacy to discuss an important matter with Robert.
As she got up to use the bathroom, Elizabeth signaled for Robert to follow her. Once they were at the back of the plane, Elizabeth spoke in a hushed tone.
"I want you to gain the trust of Alvin," Elizabeth revealed, her voice laced with caution. "During your mission at the docks, it is imperative that you establish a bond with him, no matter what the cost is."
Robert tilted his head, his eyes filled with curiosity. "But why, Ms. Murphy? Do you believe he poses a threat to us?"
Elizabeth nodded gravely. "I can't say for sure, but I can't trust him. Alvin may be a fool, making him easy to manipulate, but he's still dangerous. Who knows when he might turn the tables on us? So don't underestimate Alvin."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Robert nodded solemnly. "I will do as you ask, Ms. Murphy. I will gain his trust."
Elizabeth continued. "I also want you to become Alice's bodyguard after the mission at the docks. Keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."
Robert nodded again and asked. "Ms. Murphy, I understand. But I have a question. Why recruit him in the first place, and what is it that makes him so dangerous?"
Elizabeth smirked, "He's capable but he's not afraid of death, that's why he's dangerous. He doesn't care what comes in his way."
Robert nodded, his expression were serious. "I understand," he said. "I'll do whatever it takes to get the job done."
They both smirked, a sense of understanding passing between them.
_________________________________________
Note :- Some of you may have missed it, but now you will know why Dwayne got angry on Kimmy for insulting Alvin in chapter 4. It happened when they and their friends were gathered in the park.