As we were sneaking around, trying to find a safe place to hide, Mike suddenly stopped and turned to me. "Follow me, Dad," he whispered, his eyes scanning the surrounding area. "I know the perfect spot."
I nodded, trusting Mike's instincts. We continued to move stealthily, trying to avoid detection. The darkness seemed to swallow us whole, and the only sound was the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet. But suddenly, I felt a hand grab me from behind and push me to the floor.
"Ah!" I exclaimed, as I hit the ground hard. The wind was knocked out of me, and I struggled to catch my breath.
Mike tried to rush to my aid, but he was quickly subdued by another man. I looked up to see Victor Martinez's men standing over us, their guns pointed at our heads. The cold metal glinted in the faint moonlight, and I knew we were in grave danger.
"Well, well, well," one of the men sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Look what we have here. The famous Jackson and his little boy."
I tried to struggle, but I was pinned down. Mike was similarly restrained, his eyes wide with fear. I could see the panic rising up inside him, and I knew I had to stay calm.
"Let us go!" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. But the men just laughed, their eyes gleaming with cruelty.
"Oh, I don't think so," the man who had spoken earlier said. "Victor wants to have a little chat with you."
I knew we were in grave danger. Victor's men were notorious for their ruthlessness, and I had no doubt they would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.
"Mike, I'm sorry," I whispered, trying to reassure him. "I'll get us out of this, I promise."
Mike nodded, his eyes fixed on me. I could see the fear in his eyes, but I also saw determination. He was trying to stay strong, and I knew I had to do the same.
The men dragged us to our feet and pushed us towards a nearby vehicle. We were thrown into the backseat, and the men piled in around us. The doors slammed shut, and we were trapped.
"Where are we going?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.
The man who had spoken earlier just smiled. "You'll find out soon enough," he said, his eyes glinting with malice.
The vehicle sped away, leaving us helpless and trapped. I knew we had to think fast if we wanted to escape. I looked over at Mike, and saw that he was trying to stay calm. I knew I had to do the same.
"Mike, I need you to stay calm," I whispered. "We'll get out of this, I promise."
Mike nodded, his eyes fixed on me. I could see the fear in his eyes, but I also saw determination. We were in this together, and we would get through it together.
We were driven for what felt like hours, the men saying nothing. Finally, the vehicle stopped, and we were dragged out.
We found ourselves in a deserted warehouse, the only light coming from a few flickering overhead bulbs. The air was thick with dust, and the smell of decay hung heavy over us. Victor Martinez himself emerged from the shadows, a cruel smile on his face.
"Welcome, Jackson," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I've been waiting for you."
I knew we were in grave danger. Victor would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. I had to think fast if I wanted to save Mike and myself.
Victor's eyes gleamed with malice as he pointed his gun at Mike's head, the cold metal glinting in the faint light of the warehouse. Mike's eyes widened in terror, and he lost all courage, panic taking over him like a tidal wave. He began to shake uncontrollably, his eyes fixed on the gun as if mesmerized by its deadly power.
"Please, Victor, don't hurt him!" I begged, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear that was threatening to overwhelm me. I took a step forward, my hands raised in a futile attempt to placate Victor's wrath.
Victor just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Oh, I'm just getting started," he sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "You see, Jackson, you failed me. You were supposed to kill your brother, Liam. But you didn't. And now, you're going to pay the price."
Mike was breaking down, his body shaking with fear, his eyes streaming with tears. I could see the terror in his eyes, and it was breaking my heart. I felt helpless, unable to protect my son from the clutches of this monster.
"Please, Victor, don't hurt him!" I begged again, trying to reason with him. But Victor was beyond reason. He was consumed by his own rage and desire for revenge.
Just as Victor was about to pull the trigger, gunshots began firing from the outside, the sound echoing through the warehouse like a deadly symphony. The windows shattered, and the sound of breaking glass filled the air.
"What's going on?" Victor shouted, his eyes darting around the room in confusion.
"It's Liam and his men!" one of his men shouted back. "They're trying to rescue Jackson and the kid!"
Victor's face twisted with rage, his eyes bulging with fury. "Take care of them!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls.
His men rushed to the windows, returning fire, the sound of gunshots filling the air. The warehouse was turned into a war zone, the sound of bullets flying everywhere.
But then, I heard a familiar voice shouting above the din. "Victor Martinez, you're under arrest!"
It was Detective James, and he was leading a team of police officers into the warehouse, their guns drawn.
Victor's eyes widened in rage, and he turned to me. "You'll pay for this, Jackson!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with fury.
But it was too late. The police had already surrounded us, and Victor's men were being taken down one by one.
Victor himself was dragged away, shouting curses at me and Mike as he was led away in handcuffs.
As the police led us to safety, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. We had made it out alive. But as I looked over at Mike, I saw the trauma in his eyes. He had been through a nightmare, and I knew it would take time for him to recover.
"It's okay, Mike," I said, putting my arm around him. "It's over now. We're safe."
Mike nodded, but I could see the fear still lingering in his eyes. I knew it would take time for him to heal, but I was determined to be there for him every step of the way.