CHAPTER 134: SECOND TIME AROUND

“Any updates from them, Lewis? Have they called again?” 

This was my fourth time asking him. I had been looking forward to the abductors’ call. Every now and then, I check on the time, anxiously impatient for any updates. It had been hours from the time the phone rang, and with all honesty, I greatly hope it will ring again. 

“No calls yet, Baby,” A hollow, deep breath escaped my throat. I have been fretting about their call and the endless possibility that they may not agree with what Lewis had demanded from them. Although I believe in my heart that the ratio of them complying with our demand is high, there’s still a partial doubt floating inside my head. 

These are people that society calls pests and heartless-creatures. They are criminals with very unpredictable minds and very unstable emotions. People like them are scary, extremely frightening, because no one can foretell or foresee the course of action they would execute. They act according to what they think is best and what they feel is right, regardless if they will inflict harm and cause massive destruction to the community. 

That is why every minute that I don’t hear from them, I become restless and frantically worried. If only I could call them instead and ask if they agree with our new demand, but Lewis told me to patiently wait. He assured me that they will certainly call, yet the wait was overwhelmingly agitating. 

“Why haven't they called yet? Our demand wasn’t that hard for them to think about it several times. What kept them from contacting us? They should have called already.” Anxiously, I walked back and forth in front of Lewis here in the back garden. He invited me here to gather some fresh air and to somehow separate myself from the feeling of toxicity inside the mansion, but instead of feeling relaxed and relieved, I couldn’t willed myself to be at ease and not to worry. 

Then a strong and warm arm wrapped around me from behind, stopping me from pacing. “Can’t you calm yourself, even for a short while, with all this fuss around us? Everyone deserves a break, Penelope, even yourself. I am completely aware of how difficult it is for you, but you also need to take some time to stop and rest for a while. Can you do that, Baby?” I felt his lips brushing at my right temple. 

“It’s not easy, Lewis. You knew perfectly well that it isn’t. I couldn’t force myself to relax even for a second. It’s been a while since Michelle was taken from me, and from that day on, I no longer feel any peace inside of me. As much as I like to, I just can’t do it.” My eyes are starting to water as I remember the day I held knowledge of Michelle’s disappearance. 

He heaved a deep and struggling sigh before turning me around to face him. The corners of his lips curved before he responded. “I just can’t bear seeing you like this, Penelope. I know how hard it is for you, but always remember that I am here with you to carry your burdens for you.” The back of his hand gently touched my cheek as his eyes gradually traveled down to my slightly ajar lips. “It pains me more seeing you in this condition, Baby. You barely touch your food nor sleep properly, you’re growing thinner as days pass. I won’t be shocked if one day you get severely weak and sick.”

“I don’t know, Lewis. I simply can’t drive myself to be in a normal state again. And I don’t think I would ever be, not until I have my daughter back. Only Michelle can revive my draining energy and even my urge to continue living this life I have. I hope all of this will end soon, because I am uncertain if I could live another day if this continues. I’m starting to lose my mind, I think I’m going to lose my sanity. I feel like I will totally be insane if this madness progresses. I miss Michelle, Lewis. I missed her so much, extremely too much.” He swiftly held my hand and tightly gripped it. 

“Hey! Don’t say that. We will get through this shit, alright? Believe me, Penelope, I will not let us be at the losing side. We will come out victorious and we will definitely retrieve Michelle. Don’t lose hope, Baby, we will overcome this one just like how we did it before with your father’s case.” 

“What if they didn’t comply, Lewis? What if they stick with the first plan and didn’t agree with us? What if they decided not to compromise and stand firm with their decision? What will we do next?” 

I heard him sighing heavily before gradually distancing himself from me. “Let’s give them time to reach for us until the end of the day. If they don't, then tomorrow we will proceed to our next step.” 

“And what is that?” 

He looked back at me and eyed me with resoluteness. I can see the drive and motivation in his eyes. They are filled with intentness and sheer will. He slowly advanced back at me with unflinching determination. Merely looking at him, there’s as if a fiery forcefield that covers his entire body and scorching with greatness, like the ones seen in some superhero comic magazines. The minute we were an inch away from each other, both his hand gently settled on top of my shoulder blades and a victorious smile appeared at the corners of his lips. 

“If they don’t call anytime today, then by tomorrow morning we will head to the broadcasting network. I will, on your behalf, have myself be aired in a live broadcast to disclose to the people of New York City the huge bounty that will create chaos and massive commotion into these criminal’s minds. Once it's done, these people’s lives will never be the same again. They will instantly become the most craved prey in the eyes of many. Let’s see what they will do next now.” 

My lips immediately widen as my eyes glisten with utmost gladness. Out of extreme happiness, my arms automatically wrapped around him and I squeezed myself lovingly on his chest. 

“I love your idea, Lewis. You’re really a genius!” 

“I told you to just trust in me, Baby. I already have everything in control. Let’s just hope that these crooks call up within the day to spare ourselves the time and effort of going over to the network station tomorrow.”

“I hope they will, Baby, I really hope they will.” 

For the rest of the day, I stayed in the living room waiting for the phone to ring. But unfortunately, not a single call was made from the abductors’ camp. It seems they were still uncertain of what to do regarding what Lewis demanded from them. So this only means to say that tomorrow morning, Lewis and I will be heading to the broadcasting company, where for the second time around, we will be asking the help of humanity to resolve this problem I am now facing.