0012: In the Clutches of Darkness

Carlos's heart sank as Edgar's words washed over him, each syllable chilling him to the bone. The air in the room seemed to grow colder, and the comforting warmth from the blanket could no longer stave off the deep, creeping dread that filled his body. His fingers instinctively curled into his palms as he imagined the gruesome threat becoming reality.

"Please, Edgar, you don't have to do this," Carlos pleaded, his voice quivering. "There has to be another way. I can try to contact her, maybe she'll respond if she knows I'm in danger."

Edgar regarded Carlos with a steady, unyielding gaze. "We've tried the easy ways, and time is a luxury we can no longer afford," he replied, his tone resolute yet tinged with a hint of regret. "This is not just about you or her — it's about a debt that must be paid. Unfortunately for you, you are caught in the middle."

Carlos's mind raced for solutions, desperate to avoid the gruesome fate Edgar had laid out. "Let me try to reach out to her. Give me a chance. Please," he insisted, his voice growing stronger with his resolve.

After a moment of silent contemplation, Edgar's expression softened slightly. "Alright, Carlos. I'll give you till morning. Try to contact her," he conceded, handing Carlos a cellphone. "This is your lifeline. Use it wisely. I hope for your sake she answers." He then turned to one of his men, saying, "Stay here with him. If he tries anything suspicious, shoot him in the leg."

With an affirming nod, the man replied, "Yes, sir."

Grasping the phone with trembling hands, Carlos felt the weight of his next actions pressing down on him like a heavy stone. As Edgar departed, leaving Carlos isolated with his thoughts, one of his men stood guard, his eyes fixed on Carlos with an intensity that made the dim warehouse light cast long, ominous shadows around him, mirroring the darkness that seemed to encroach upon his hopes.

Throughout the night, Carlos tried every means to reach Olivia, sending messages and making calls that went unanswered. Each passing hour heightened his anxiety, the ticking clock a relentless reminder of the approaching deadline. As dawn broke, the reality set in — Olivia had not responded.

Edgar returned as promised, his face an unreadable mask. "Time's up, Carlos," he declared. "Looks like you're not as important to her as we thought. You're just another victim caught in the web. So, which finger should we start with?" He asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

Swallowing hard, Carlos met Edgar's gaze, his own eyes filled with a mix of fear and defiance. "I know I couldn't get in touch with her," he admitted, his voice steady despite the despair that threatened to overwhelm him. "But I'm still willing to help. Please, there has to be something else we can do."

With a pitiful look and a disappointing headshake, Edgar continued, "I'm sorry, my boy, but this is the end of the road for you." He then signaled to his men, "Bring him."

Despite Carlos's valiant resistance, using every ounce of strength he had left to fight off the two men charging against him, he was overpowered and dragged along the floor to a very small, dark room that smelled of death. The sound of his screams for help echoed off the walls, a desperate plea in the face of impending doom.

Forcefully tied down to a wooden chair in the room, Carlos continued to struggle, his heart pounding with fear and adrenaline. Edgar, now wearing gloves and wielding a sharp, menacing tool, approached Carlos with a chilling calmness. "You can scream all you like, boy. No one is coming to save you," he taunted, his voice laced with malice.

Just as Edgar was about to begin his cruel operation, his phone rang, startling him. He stepped out of the room to answer the call, leaving his henchmen to watch over Carlos. After a moment, Edgar returned, his expression unreadable. With a subtle signal to his men, they all quietly left the room, leaving Carlos alone. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of Carlos's frantic breathing and the distant hum of the warehouse.

Alone in the darkness, Carlos's mind raced with thoughts of escape, his breaths coming in short, panicked gasps. And after what felt like an eternity, the door to the small room suddenly burst open, flooding the space with blinding light from several flashlights. The room was filled with the authoritative shouts of police officers, their guns trained on Carlos. "Freeze! Police!" they commanded, their voices echoing with urgency.

Carlos, overwhelmed with relief at the sight of the police, shouted, "I am unharmed, please save me," his voice trembling with a mix of fear and hope.

As one of the officers untied Carlos, the rest of the police team rushed out of the room, their footsteps echoing in the empty warehouse as they chased after Edgar and his men. With his hands finally free, Carlos rubbed his wrists, feeling the circulation return and the numbness dissipate.

"Are you okay? Can you walk?" the officer asked, his voice filled with concern.

Carlos nodded, though he felt weak and shaky. "Yes, I think so," he replied, grateful for the officer's help. With a supportive arm around his waist, Carlos stood up, his legs wobbly from being tied down for so long. The officer steadied him as they began to make their way out of the dark, oppressive room.

"How did you find me?" Carlos asked, his voice trembling with exhaustion and relief.

"We received a tip about suspicious activity in this area," the officer explained, guiding Carlos towards the exit. "We didn't know what to expect, but we're glad we found you in time."

As Carlos emerged from the warehouse, he was greeted by the blinding lights of police vehicles and the piercing sound of sirens. Medics rushed forward to attend to him, checking him over for any injuries. Led to a waiting ambulance, Carlos couldn't shake the worry for Olivia from his mind. He hoped she was safe and hadn't fallen into Edgar's clutches.