The shrill sound of an ambulance siren echoed from outside.
Bertha quickly called out to her daughter. âAlright, Lea, we need to get Ms. Marlinie to the hospital first.
Weâll handle everything else later.â
Lea nodded in agreement. âKeep a sharp eye on those two. Iâll deal with them later.â She instructed before she left.
The men in black nodded in agreement. âYes.â.
After that, Bertha and her daughter followed the ambulance to the hospital.
The ambulance caused quite a commotion, and Arnold, who was visiting his neighbor, heard the noise and rushed back home.
Upon entering his home, he was met with a group of menacing men in black. His wife and daughter looked bruised and battered as they knelt on the ground.
Arnold was terrified. âWho who are you people? What are you doing in my house? And what have you done to my wife and daughter?â
The leader of the men in black had already left with Bertha and her daughter to go to the hospital, and the remaining men, all well-trained, remained silent as they watched over Tracy and her daughter.
Seeing Arnold, Tracy cried out for help. âArnold, save us! These men are bandits. They are nothing but bandits!â
Sheila, too, cried out in fear to her father. âDaddy, save us; Iâm so scared!â
Arnold naturally wanted to save his wife and daughter, but after looking at the intimidating men in black, he knew he was no match for them. He thought of leaving to get help.
However, as he turned to leave, he realized the front door was already shut by two of the men, making it clear that he was not going anywhere.
Arnold panicked and became slightly angry. âWhatâ¦what do you want?â
One of the men in black replied, âYour wife and daughter have hurt our ladyâs friend. No one from your family is allowed to leave until our lady gives the word.â
Arnold was startled. âWhat are you talking about? Who is your lady? I havenât seen any guests in my house.â
The man in black replied, âYou should ask your wife and daughter.â
Arnold was stuck with no way out, so he turned back to Tracy and Sheila. âWhat is going on here? Why are they saying you hurt their ladyâs friend? What on earth did you two do?â Tracy and Sheila were guiltily avoiding eye contact with Arnold.
Elsewhere, Marlinie was quickly rushed to the nearest hospital. Her wounds were stitched up, and she was put on an IV drip.
The doctor assured Bertha and Lea that Marlinie was not in any life-threatening danger, and they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Bertha sat by the hospital bed, clutching Marlinieâs hand. âMarlinie, you scared me to death! You lost so much blood.â
Marlinie was awake; she was just a bit weak. âDonât worry, Iâm fine. Thank goodness your husband had people watching over you and Lea. They were able to rescue us just in time⦠and thank god it wasnât you or Lea who got hurt, or Thaddeus would be out for my blood.â
Bertha wiped away her tears. âYouâre still making jokes at a time like this?â
Lea watched her idol, Ms. Marlinie, still be able to jest with her mother, and she finally let out a sigh of relief.
Ms. Marlinie should be alright. Thank goodness!
Suddenly, the hospital room door was roughly pushed open, and a figure, emanating an icy aura, stormed in.