CHAPTER 6

  A week was over and yet they became confused because there were no actions that were done against them that would cause them harm.

Cassandra said, " I wonder why they weren't doing anything to us.

John said, " What do you mean?

Cassandra said, " I mean... it's already been a week and I'm sure that there's someone out there that's been watching over us and yet, they weren't doing anything to harm us.

John said, " Well do you want them to kill you suddenly?

Cassandra said, " W-What?! Of course not!

John said, " Then why are you hoping for them to hurt you?

Cassandra said, " I'm not hoping! It's just that, it's making me think.

  John sipped on the cup of coffee he was holding as he didn't bother to reply. Kevin went out of his room as he also sat down with Cassandra and John in the living room.

Kevin said, " What's happening? Why do you guys seem to argue...

Cassandra said, " It's nothing.

John said, " Well, Cassandra was hoping for the enemies to kill her already.

Cassandra said, " I said I am not! It's just that I'm curious why they weren't doing anything, considering that we could feel that they were watching us from a distance. 

Cassandra said, " Do you think they have some other plans in mind?

John said, " For sure they have. 

  Cassandra was hoping that John would tell him more, she was thinking that there was something that he isn't telling her, but she couldn't force him to spit it out, " I'm going out.”

John frowned, " What? You can't go outside.”

Cassandra rolled her eyes, " I won't go outside the gate though. I just want to breathe some fresh air. And maybe... I'll try to challenge them to come to shoot me once I went out. ”

Kevin said, " Miss?!”

Cassandra said, " I don't want to get followed. I need some alone time.”

  Many thoughts were going inside Cassandra's head, but no one stopped her from going out since it was her order and they can't provoke her.

 " I don't know but why do I get the feeling that we would stay here for long? If they managed to follow us here despite being careful, then it's clear that they still play a great threat to my life if I would just stay here. Do I need to tell Dad already about this? But I think John told him already. We need to leave already and transfer to a new place.”

“ Uhh wait... what is that–”

  Cassandra noticed the box that was left at the main gate. Her eyes widened as she decided to come and check it out.

Cassandra's voice echoed through the farmhouse, calling out to John and Kevin with urgency.

"John! Kevin!" she called out, her tone tinged with concern.

"There's some package here at the gate! Should I bring it in?" Cassandra's words hung in the air, unanswered.

"Guys! Can you even hear me?" Cassandra's frustration mounted as her calls went unacknowledged.

"Alright... I'm bringing this in," she resolved, determination coloring her voice as she moved to investigate the mysterious package at the gate.

  Cassandra picked up the package and brought it inside. Kevin and John were immediately alarmed as they gazed at the box that she was holding. 

"Where'd you get that?" John asked in a tone that hinted at worry.

With a hint of annoyance in her voice, Cassandra said, "Outside! Kevin and you don't seem to be able to hear me when I call."

"What brought that here, and why? That could have something harmful in it! John pleaded, "For fuck's sake, Cassandra, put that down."

John's worry was echoed by Kevin's voice. "Miss, John was right. What suppose the adversaries brought that box?"

Cassandra didn't listen to their advice; her curiosity won out and she persisted. Although she couldn't resist the urge to open the package herself, she followed John to investigate it.

"What the heck... are these letters?" Confusion flooded Cassandra's voice as she peered in the box.

John's worry was echoed by Kevin's voice. "Miss, John was right. How about if

"Miss..." Kevin was warning Cassandra clearly, but she chose not to listen.

"Cassandra, don't touch them!" John moved to step in and his command rang out, his voice full of urgency.

  Cassandra was scared and confused at the same time, but she still didn't follow John's order. Cassandra picked up a letter and decided to read it.

Cassandra said, " Hey Robert's freaky daughter. I know you're living here. Give us two million today or else, you won't get to witness the sun tomorrow.

John said, " I've told you... you don't need to read them--

Cassandra said, " Is there something that you're hiding from me?

John said, " What?

Cassandra said, " Why do you seem so defensive about this? Shouldn't you be the one encouraging me to read this so that we could do something?

John said, " I've told you many times already, I just don't want to get you stressed. I want to handle this case on my own.

Cassandra said, " Well if it wasn't for me who went out, no one will see this box that contains these terrifying letters. If you really plan to solve this by yourself, you should've seen this first instead of me!

Kevin said, " Miss... calm down.

Cassandra said, " I am calm!

  Cassandra's voice was shaky as she became scared. The text that was written in the letter she just read kept replaying over and over again in her mind.

Cassandra said, " Tell me, John. Did you know about these before? Why didn't you tell me?

John said, " I just want you to not be bothered--

Cassandra said, " Oh cut that shit. That wasn't enough to justify why didn't you tell me. Do you have any traces of them already? Are you aware that they're going to send some letters today?

John said, " No."

  John released some heavy breaths as he became deadly serious.

As you can see, not many people are aware that we are present. Despite the urgency of their predicament, John maintained a steady voice while emphasizing, "And as much as possible, I want to be quiet and careful while trying to uncover their identity."

However, it was too late already! If we refuse to give them any money, they're already acting today!" As Cassandra expressed her worries, her fear was evident.

"I'm sorry to burst your bubble but I think your work with us ends here... you've just failed--" With obvious irritation, Cassandra's comments sliced through the atmosphere.

"Have you actually given her safety any thought? Or perhaps you're simply using her as bait while you take your time figuring out who might be responsible for this?" Kevin was clearly disappointed, and his allegation weighed thick in the air.

With a defensive tone, John objected, "You guys don't understand me."

"How are we supposed to understand you now that we don't have much time?" Cassandra begged for clarification, and it was clear how desperate she was.

"Do you think we still could leave now that they may have been watching us and surrounding the house at this time?" Cassandra's voice trembled with uncertainty, and her dread was evident.

Kevin said, accusingly, "You didn't even consider Miss Cassandra's safety."

"I did!" John persisted, trying to get their attention while sounding frustrated.

John let out a deep sigh, his hands covering his face as he let go of his irritation.

With urgency in his voice, Kevin declared, "We have to leave today."

"We need to leave now!" Cassandra was just as determined as Kevin, with an unyielding sense of urgency.

"I just received the keys. The most essential thing right now is for us to leave this location, I don't care about anything else." Cassandra said, her determination unwavering.

But it was too late now. From outside, the adversaries had been listening in on their chat, and before Cassandra could move, they stormed into the house, their presence a sign of impending doom.