Chapter 34

Skyler was mortified, she was devastated, she was in recluse shock, words are not sufficient enough to explain how she was feeling right now as she ran through alleys and dark smelly streets. Alex had tried to kill her but killed her boy lover instead... David was dead now.
'I had underestimated Alex's abilities, he managed to pin down my location before the police did and attempted to kill me before they could arrest me...' Her mind collated facts and figures as she ran on, looking for a good place to spend the night because right now she had no money on her and she had left her belongings in her room.
'Petra must die now!! Too many people have been murdered in her name but the problem is how can I find her?' Petra obviously won't be at Alex's house, that's one thing Skyler knew for sure. The idea popped out of her head like an over ripe zit.
"She has a twin right? I'm sure he would know where to find Petra" She got the location of Preston's company from one of the company's ads on the walls of the street and made up her mind to head there tomorrow morning but the pressing matter at hand is where to spend the night. She managed to fit herself in the back of a pick up truck and use a sheet of nylon to cover herself, it was there on her makeshift bed she decided she would kill Petra even if it meant killing herself.
Skyler woke up looking like a rabbit's chew toy, she managed to straighten her hair with some water then set out towards Preston & Co innovative company, it wasn't as big as Alex's so there won't be any parking lot special for only staff. It was still kind of early so the streets hadn't started their usual buzz of traffic so it was easy for Skyler to pass public places without being recognized. She arrived at the parking lot opposite the Preston & Co building and waited for her victim to drive in.
Preston drove into the parking lot in high spirits, he was happy because his sister was going to be discharged today at last and he had heard the news from Liam that Alex is alive so he wasn't expecting it when someone entered his back seat as soon as he parked his car.
"Don't move Preston or this shard would drive through your neck" Skyler pressed the glass shard harder on his skin as if to make her point clear.
"Ahhhh..... Skyler? What are you doing here?" Preston eyed the glass carefully.
"I'm here for information only, if you tell me what I want nobody would get hurt.... Can't say the same for your twin though" Skyler added mischievously, Preston fidgeted as soon as she mentioned his twin.
"If you're looking for information about Petra then you've come to the wrong guy cause I will never sell out my.... Ahhhhhhh" Preston's speech was interrupted because Skyler had stabbed his right thigh with the glass shard before returning it to his neck again blood stained.
"I believe I'm talking to the right guy and just in case you think I'm joking with you that was to show you I ain't here for games, Now tell me where can I find Petra?".
"Ahhhhh...... Fine I'll tell you.... I'll tell you.... Ahhhh fuck I'm bleeding" Preston grasped his right thigh in pain, the wound wasn't too deep but it hurt like hell.
"I don't have a lot of time here Preston so you better start talking".
"Okay! Okay, she's at Saint Paul hospital. That's where Eva is too".
"Eva is alive?" Skyler asked in surprise.
"Yeah she didn't die when you tried to kill her" Preston eyed her from the rear view mirror.
"Well, well well isn't that a pleasant surprise, I'll need a ride to Saint Paul hospital and your car fits my taste so get out" Preston thought Skyler was joking until she pressed the glass deeper into his neck, she took money from his wallet and his phone too so that he won't be able to warn Petra about her coming.
After she had driven off Preston wondered how he was going to warn his sister about Skyler without a phone, he limped out of the parking lot and his co workers who were outside rushed to his aid. They called 911 for him so that he could give the description of the car thief which he did. Preston pleaded with the policeman that his sister should be escorted out of that hospital with an entourage of police officers.
Skyler had driven straight to a drive thru to get some food which she ate in the car in an abandoned alley, after that she drove into a gun shop.
"Give me one of your best Magnum pistols. '' She said as she waltzed in the shop, the shopkeeper looked at her cautiously.
"People hardly buy Magnum handguns.... Who are you planning to murder?" He asked with suspicious eyes.
"Just a slut who stole something from me and if you want to call the police you can go ahead, I already know I'm going to jail after this anyways".
"I like your spirit girl, you're ready to accept whatever the consequences just to fight for what you love..... I haven't seen a thing like this in years' ' The shopkeeper admired her witty courage and something tells him she's at the end of her resolve.
"So are you going to sell me the Magnum or what?" She crossed her arms.
"Of course I would give it to you, the finest and the strongest one for that matter, this baby will send her victim into a coma no matter where he's shot, the cylinder is a huge barrel and it has a huge chamber for loading the bullets so it's eight shots instead of the usual six. Like that huh?" He asked Skyler after seeing her lustful eyes on the gun "She's a beauty isn't she?" He added.
"Yes, so how much do you want for her and her bullets too?".
She had lost her home to Petra, her reputation, her future with Alex and even the little affair she had with Dave was short lived because of Petra, Skyler couldn't take it anymore. She couldn't just stand by and let one person take away all what she had toiled for, blackmailed for just like that. Petra's pregnancy wasn't making the case any easier or less bitter because it was the object of attraction both from the audience and from Alex himself, it seemed like the audience had finally forgiven Petra and no longer views her as a boyfriend snatcher and instead they had made Skyler the villain trying to spoil Petra's happiness as if Petra hadn't stolen hers first.
She drove on in rage, her hatred boiling in a cauldron of bitterness, there was no stopping her now, nobody could change her mind on this one now.
'PETRA MUST DIE' The words rang back and forth in her head as she avoided traffic, drove past red lights and almost ran over a small dog.
Petra and Eva talked about Alex all through the night and now the conversation continued in the morning with Petra obviously pleased that Alex is back.
"I can't believe that he's actually alive. I mean the news and all" Eva said for the seventh time, she didn't believe that people can die and come back to life mostly if they had such a ghastly accident like Alex did.
"But you saw it with your own eyes on FaceTime yesterday and it was with Arianna's phone meaning he's with Liam already... I'm so glad that he's safe" Petra's eyes glistened with tears, she had almost lost hope that Alex would come back but just at the last point as she was about to give up her faith moved a mountain.
"Don't start crying again sis, you don't want him to come see you with puffy eyes" Eva chided her playfully.
"That's true I don't want that at all".
"So relax and wait for boo to come pick you up" They both laughed but their joy was short lived because a police officer entered and gave a stout salute.
"We got a call from your brother Preston requesting that you're taken out of here at once " The officer said with a serious frown stuck to his face.
"Really? Why?" Petra asked, confused.
"We are not allowed to state the reason until you're out of here safely".
"But her husband is coming to pick her up-"
"Mr Montero would be given your new location when he gets here but for now we have to escort you out of the premises" The officer was almost like a robot.
"Okay fine but give us some minutes, I need to get her dressed" Eva told the officer and he gave a stout salute before going outside the room.
"Well then isn't this a surprise?" Petra said, still shocked by the message from the robotic officer.
"It must be for a good reason since it's from Preston but I only wonder why he didn't call instead?" Eva said as she dressed Petra up in a fashionable gown for pregnant women.
"I wonder that too and why are you being extra with this anyways?" Petra asked after Eva tried to make her wear earrings.
"Because there's a whole team of press members outside this building wanting to hear 'Petra's experience' so you have to look your best if you plan on going out there".
Petra was escorted outside by two officers and instantly she was crowded by different people with cameras and some with microphones and small recorders talking at the same time, Petra told her escorts that she would like to answer some questions.
"Miss Petra my name is Jessica Jones and I am from Channel 5 news, can you please tell us how it feels like to be the heir bearer of the Montero company?" A tall woman with her cameraman close behind her asked.
"Well what me and Alex had was a little bit forbidden at first but over time our love grew like a beautiful flower, I am proud to be carrying the heir of the Montero lineage and I am glad to be part of an amazing family" Petra said smiling obviously happy at the attention and the opportunity to speak her innermost feelings to the general public.
"Some people think you have wronged his ex-girlfriend, do you think you have offended her by taking away her happiness?" Another reporter asked drawing closer to hear her reply.
"I did not snatch away Alex from her, he came to me instead I brought up the issue about his girlfriend and he made it clear that he wasn't happy with her".
"What is the way forward for you now?" The same reporter asked again.
"The way forward is settling down with Alex after all this is over and raising our kid or kids in a peaceful environment, too much to ask am I right?" Petra made everybody laugh, even the policemen who were keeping the swarm of reporters at bay.
"Skyler is currently hunting you down right? How does it feel to be the prey?" One sandy haired reporter asked.
"It doesn't feel good at all..... To be constantly watched by someone somewhere....... It isn't a good experience" Petra was obviously shaken by that last question and Detective Thomas was getting a little bit impatient, he cut the next reporter off mid question.
"Alright, that's enough questions for one day! Make way! Move! let's go Mrs Montero I'll explain everything to you along the way" He pushed his way past the sea of reporters who were still flickering their cameras and some still asking random questions.
Skyler had watched Petra QA with the reporters a few yards away, she watched in disgust how Petra justified her actions by saying Alex wasn't happy with her that's why he dumped her for Petra.
'As if you weren't the one who seduced him you filthy slut!! Your day of reckoning has come!' She moved along with the crowd of reporters carefully concealing herself, hiding her weapon under her shirt.
Thomas saw her, at first he wasn't sure it was her but he knew that killer intent can't be from just anyone. Thomas tried to clear the crowd so he could have a clear line of fire but he was too late, a loud crack was heard and Petra fell to the ground with a grunt of defeat.
Skyler was already crying by the time she had drawn her weapon. All she wanted was her happiness, a home, to live a peaceful life like Petra had spoken of but it wasn't possible now.... It was all lost. She had already sealed her fate, as soon as she pulled the trigger it would all end... Petra's life..... Her own life as well. Her vision was blurry from the tears but she knew she was pointing her gun at Petra, she squeezed the trigger hard and blinked as a loud crack sounded off from the weapon in her hand, she heard her victim grunt then saw her fall with a heavy thud.
It was done now, the deed had been done and there was nothing else to do now other than accepting the consequences of her actions. She laughed with so much melancholic satisfaction knowing that she did not leave this earth alone. Thomas shot Skyler twice in her chest and the third bullet went through her head, her body slumped to the ground as she breathed her last but that her face was stuck in that melancholic laughter.
Eva fainted as soon as she saw her sister was shot, Petra was rushed back inside the hospital for immediate treatment while Eva was being revived.
"Hello I would like to speak to Mr Montero please" Thomas said as Liam picked up his call.
"ALEX IT'S FOR YOU!" Liam gave the phone to Alex after a minute of searching.
"Hello, are you a detective?" Alex asked.
"Yes it is, there is a problem that needs your presence here at Saint Paul hospital".
"What happened?" Alex asked urgently.
"It's your wife..... She was shot" The other side was silent for a while before Alex answered.
"Is she...... dead?" Alex asked feebly.
"Not at the moment but we need you here sir".
"I'll be there soon".
Alex got there quicker than expected and he didn't come alone, Liam and Arianna came with food as well for Eva. Thomas gave Alex a brief about what happened to Petra and he was absolutely furious because Thomas had sworn to protect Petra as well as kill Skyler before things got dangerous.
"How could you let her get shot Thomas!!" Alex spat angrily at the detective.
"She had her weapon already drawn before I could pull my gun out of my holster, she had pulled the trigger but I shot her almost the same instant...... She had the upper hand right from the start and she knew she wasn't going to get away with this one so she came to throw her life away!" Thomas was out of breath after this long speech. Alex wasn't hearing it; he landed a hook across the detective's face and sent him flying across the room. Liam pulled Alex back to prevent him from causing more damage.
"I totally deserved that and maybe even more but this is not going to help anybody most especially your wife" Thomas said as he cupped his bleeding nose with his palm.
"It's helping me! Talk about my wife again and I swear I will end you right here and now" Alex eyes burned with killer intent as he struggled against Liam's grip trying to lunge at the detective.
"I helped you carry out your revenge and this is how you repay me? And you talk about honesty being the best policy meanwhile you're just another hypocrite!!" A nurse led the detective out of the room to tend to his wound while Liam tried to calm Alex down.
"Take it easy bro, I know it's a very trying time for you right now but you shouldn't be punching anybody man...... Try to relax" Liam said soothingly.
"Easy for you to say you're not the one passing through the 'trying time', I'm so worried about my unborn child and Petra" Alex put his head in his hands and wept like a little child who had lost his mother in a mall, Eva and the others tried to console him but without much success. The doctor interrupted their lamenting.
"Excuse me, are you the husband?" The doctor asked Alex who stood up as he heard the word 'husband'.
"Yes doctor I am, how is she?" Alex asked tongue in cheek not knowing what to expect. She couldn't make it? Sorry but we lost the baby? Alex's mind was running through different questions at once.
"We've stopped the bleeding and we've managed to stabilize her breathing..... But there's one problem..... The baby" The doctor touched his spectacles before continuing as if the news was too heavy to say.
"What about the baby?" Alex asked frantically searching for answers on the doctor's face.
"Well your wife was shot on her shoulder a little bit above the right breast, she suffered a severe shock and now she's in a coma and the baby is due for birth, if we leave the baby in there he/she would die within two days. We are left with no choice other than to cut her stomach and bring the baby out and to commence this operation we need the husband's consent" The doctor waited for Alex to process this slowly without rushing him for a reply.
"Sure doctor you can go ahead with the operation, anything to keep my wife and baby alive" The doctor gave him a form to fill before leaving, as he filled the form Alex mind troubled him a lot.
'If only I had gotten here quicker!! Why did I choose to come here at 11 o'clock? Of course Skyler on the run must've thought of a way to find Petra. I was so stupid!!' He squeezed the pen subconsciously and Liam took it from his grip.
"Your wife and child are going to be alright just have faith Alex" Liam patted his shoulder reassuringly, it gave him hope to believe and for the first time in a very long time Alex prayed.
'I don't know if you can hear me lord but please save my wife and child..... I don't know what I'll do if I lost one of them or lost them both.... Please hear my humble cry and save my family'.