Avery's POV

Lying on Maria's bed felt both comforting and haunting. Her presence lingered in the room, a bittersweet reminder of the woman who had shaped my life. Thoughts of Maria triggered a cascade of memories, like the way Maria always encouraged me to embrace life fully, to have a boyfriend, and to find joy in every moment.

The irony struck me—the tragic loss of Maria had brought Rick into my life. The morning flashed through my mind, the unexpected yet oddly enjoyable time spent with him and the kids. The closer proximity during our arguments, the palpable tension between us—something shifted. Every time he got closer, my heartbeat quickened, an unfamiliar sensation that made me blush. A shy smile crept onto my face, but as the realization hit me, guilt set in. How could I feel this way toward Rick, especially after our heated argument earlier today?

I got up, sitting on Maria's bed, scolding myself. This wasn't the time for such distractions. Rick was rude, cold, and arrogant—qualities that should repel, not attract. Focusing on Maria's case should be my priority; there was no room for these confusing feelings.

Looking around Maria's room, the traces of her life echoed in every corner. The memories enveloped me, a mixture of sadness and gratitude. I sighed and left the room, determined to keep my emotions in check.

Walking back to my room, the darkness welcomed me, illuminated only by the moonlight streaming through the opened window. The curtain fluttered in the wind, serving as a reminder that I had closed the window before leaving my room a few hours ago. Closing it once more, I justified the situation—perhaps the cleaners had opened it and forgotten to close it again.

Switching on the bedside lamp, the dim yellow light painted a sense of calm. However, my tranquillity shattered as I noticed a man standing inside the bathroom. Startled and scared, my heart raced. The man emerged into the bedroom, a towering presence nearly six feet tall, exuding strength. In his hand, he held a gun, and his sinister smile sent chills down my spine.

Attempting to flee, I reached the bedroom door, only to be caught and pulled back. My back pressed against his front, his hand wrapped around my neck, and the cold metal of the gun touched my temple. The world blurred into a nightmare.

His voice, laced with a Russian accent, whispered in my ear, "Haaa... You look even better in person than in those pictures. It's so fucking frustrating that I can't satisfy my desires with you right now." The words hung in the air, ominous and threatening, as fear and disgust gripped me.

My triceps tightened as I swung my arm backwards, connecting with the guy's nose with all the force I could muster. Pain shot through my arm, but the impact made him release his grip on me. Seizing the opportunity, I sprinted away, adrenaline pushing me forward. I reached the staircase and, without a second thought, descended into the hall, seeking a place to hide.

Ducking under the stairs, I huddled in the shadows, my breath catching in my throat. The guy pursued, his sinister threats slicing through the air like a chilling wind.

"Come out, little girl," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

"I promise, if you don't show yourself, those brats of yours are gonna pay. You wouldn't want their blood on your hands, would you?"

The menace in his words sent shivers down my spine as I clung to the shadows, paralyzed by the weight of his ominous promises.

Suddenly it hit me—I'd left my phone in my room. The guy drew closer, his menace escalating. When he moved away from the stairs, I seized the chance and bolted. I raced back up, the guy in hot pursuit, his ominous words filling the air.

"I've been asked not to waste any bullets on you, but you're tempting my patience. Better come to me by yourself, and don't make me fucking hurt you, bitch," he growled.

Reaching my room, I slammed the door shut, securing it with the dresser. Panic surged as I fumbled for my phone. In my haste, I ran to the bathroom, the only sanctuary, and locked the door behind me, sitting far away from its barricaded entrance. While catching my breath, I dialled Rick's number, each ring intensifying my anxiety. Each tone of the dialling echoed the urgency of the situation. 

When Rick answered, I didn't wait for pleasantries. "There's a guy with a gun outside my room," I shouted, fear coursing through me. "He threatened to hurt the kids if I don't go with him."

"Where are you now?" Rick's voice, protective and commanding, demanded an answer.

"I locked myself in the bathroom," I replied, panic gripping my chest.

"Stay exactly where you are. I'll be there in a few minutes. DO NOT open the door, no matter what," Rick ordered.

A gunshot echoed, and Sophia's painful whimper tore through the air. Shock and horror overwhelmed me, and I screamed into the phone, "I heard a gunshot! Sophia's hurt!"

The stale air in the bathroom clung to me as I listened to Rick's instructions, his voice a lifeline in this nightmare.

"I'm in my car now. Just wait in the bathroom. Don't go out, and DON'T CUT THE CALL. Do you hear anything from outside?".

Sophia's cries echoed through the room.

"I can still hear Sophia," I whispered, my voice trembling.

Rick's voice cut through the tension, "Anything sharp in the bathroom? Something you can use?"

I scanned the cramped space, desperate for something that could aid me. "There's nothing sharp here," I replied, my heart pounding.

"Listen to me," Rick commanded, his tone unwavering. "Be brave. Help me create a distraction to save Sophia. Can you do that for me?"

The lump in my throat made it hard to answer, but I managed a shaky "Okay."

"Good. Anything heavy around you?"

"Uh, there's a metal wastebasket."

"Perfect. Grab that wastebasket and smash the bathroom mirror with it. Wrap your hand with a towel or use the shower curtain for protection, and pick up a sharp, jagged piece of the mirror. Get out of the bathroom and make some noise to draw him in. He'll come for you, leaving Sophia unguarded. Stand by the doorway, and as soon as he steps in, go straight for him with that sharp piece of glass. Then, get back to the bathroom and lock yourself in. Got it? I'm almost there."

I hesitated, fear clawing at me, but Rick's urgency spurred me into action.  I smashed the wastebasket against the bathroom mirror. After wrapping my hand with a towel, I picked a sharp, broken piece of glass.

My heart thundered in my chest as I ventured into the dimly lit room, the shadows dancing ominously. With every step, I pushed the dresser away from the door, steeling myself for the impending confrontation. Summoning every ounce of courage, I stood beside the doorway and, in a defiant shout, challenged the man outside.

The door splintered open, a violent breach that set my pulse racing. In that fleeting moment, with the sharp mirror piece gripped tightly in my hand, I struck with the ferocity of desperation. The mirror connected with the man's face with a sickening crunch, and a well-aimed kick to his manhood left him howling in pain.

Adrenaline surged through me as I sprinted back to the safety of the bathroom, slamming the door shut and locking it behind me. His fists pounded relentlessly against the door, the thunderous thuds echoing through the confined space. Huddled in the corner, tears streaming down my face, I prayed for Rick's swift arrival, my shaky hands clutching the phone as if it were my only anchor in this terrifying ordeal.

The bathroom door trembled under the relentless assault. I strained my ears, desperate to discern the unfolding chaos outside. Another gunshot shattered, followed by a whimper and a resounding thud.

My body shook uncontrollably, and I instinctively covered my mouth to stifle the cries that threatened to escape. The fragile calm shattered, replaced by the stark reality that peril lurked just beyond the fragile barrier of the bathroom door. I held my breath, listening intently as the world outside seemed to hold its breath with me.

Then, it happened—a heavy knock reverberated through the door, each sound reverberating like a dire warning. The knocks intensified, morphing into a furious assault as if an unseen force sought to obliterate the last bastion of my refuge. Panic set in, and I braced for the inevitable breach.

With a deafening crash, the bathroom door yielded to the unseen assailant. In that heart-stopping moment, Rick burst into the bathroom, a beacon of salvation in the chaos. His eyes swiftly located me, huddled in the corner, my trembling form an undeniable reflection of the harrowing experience I had undergone.

Without a second thought, I sprinted towards Rick, colliding with him as if he were my lifeline in this storm. The impact caught him off guard, but he wrapped his arms around me, offering solace and protection. Tears streamed down my face, and the weight of fear lifted, if only for a moment, in the safety of Rick's embrace.

"Easy, Avery. I'm here now. You're safe,".

"I thought... I thought I was going to lose them. Sophia and the kids..." My voice trembled, and I could feel the lingering fear clutching at my words.

"Shhhhh, we'll sort everything out. Are you hurt?" Rick's concern was palpable, his eyes searching mine for any sign of injury.

"No, I'm fine," I replied, gently pulling away from his embrace. The gravity of the situation lingered, but I needed to know about Sophia and the kids.

I hurriedly asked about Sophia, anxiety clutching at my chest. Rick's reassurance came in waves, explaining that Sophia was fine but injured. Rick's colleague, Bryce, had taken her to the nearest hospital, and I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"All the kids are at the hall with Fred and George," Rick continued his words a lifeline amidst the chaos.

"They're under my supervision. Some of the kids and the caretakers woke up hearing the gunshot, and as soon as we reached the orphanage, I asked Fred and George to gather them safely in the hall. No one's hurt."

Relief washed over me, and I relaxed a bit, trusting that Rick had taken charge of the situation. I headed downstairs to check on the kids, their safety was now my utmost priority.

As I reached the hall, Sarah came running towards me, her eyes filled with tears and fear etched on her face. I hugged her tightly, assuring the kids that everything was fine, that it was just a break-in, and they had nothing to worry about.

Rick then introduced me to Fred and George, the operatives who had played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the children.

Once the kids were settled and reassured, I found myself back in the hall. There, I saw the intruder tied up on the floor. My fear bubbled up, and I couldn't help but voice the pressing question to Rick.

"Is he... alive?" I questioned, my anxiety palpable in the quiver of my voice.

"He's very much alive for now," Rick explained.

"I shot him and knocked him out. He won't be waking up for a few hours. Enough time for us to take him to our office, treat his wounds first."

Despite the danger being temporarily subdued, Rick's eyes bore into mine with a silent warning of impending peril.

"You can't stay here. It's not safe anymore."

My head instinctively shook, a reflexive denial fuelled by the bond I felt with the kids and the place that had become my sanctuary.

"I can't just abandon them and this place. They need me, especially after tonight."

The weight of the situation cast a solemn shadow over Rick, George, and Fred. Their exchanged glances betrayed shared concern, creating an unspoken understanding of the gravity of our predicament. Rick moved closer, his voice steady but edged with urgency.

"Staying puts you, the kids, and the caretakers at risk. We need to think about everyone's safety."

A heavy sigh escaped me, echoing the struggle within.

"But I promised Maria I'd take care of them."

George intervened, his tone a mix of gentleness and resolution. "Avery, he came for you, not for them. If you stay, you're putting their safety on the line."

Torn between duty and the harsh reality unfurling before me, I confessed, "I just... I can't wrap my head around leaving them."

Fred, sensing the gravity of the decision, added, "Sometimes protecting means making tough choices. Leaving now is the best way to ensure their safety."

Reluctantly, I nodded, acknowledging the bitter truth that echoed through the room. "Fine, but what if something happens here? What if someone else comes back?"

Rick's reassurance cut through the uncertainty. "I'll send some of my people here. We won't let anything happen. Now, go pack your things. We need to get you to safety."

His instructions carried a firmness that brooked no argument. The reality settled in, and I knew that leaving the orphanage was the only choice, no matter how much it pained me to do so.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, you remember Fred, right? Well, I'm excited to introduce another character—George. I'll be including both Fred and George in the upcoming chapter, and if you all like them, they might make more appearances.

What a chapter this has been! As always, our knight in shining armour is here to rescue the damsel in distress. But Avery proved she's more than just a soft-hearted woman. Did you see how fiercely she fought to save Sophia? Hope you liked it.

A special shoutout to s00gifted for your unwavering support of Deadly Deception. I'm thrilled you're enjoying the story. Everyone, be sure to check out her work—she's crafted some truly intriguing stories!

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