David's head throbbed with a dull ache as he slowly regained consciousness. The last thing he remembered was the blinding pain and the sound of gunshots. As his eyes fluttered open, he found himself in a dimly lit room, the smell of dampness and old wood invading his senses. Panic set in almost instantly as his vision cleared, revealing a scene that was both shocking and terrifying.
He was inside John’s house—a place that should have been safe. Instead, it had become a nightmare. His heart pounded as he took in the sight before him. His friends and family were bound and gagged, fear etched into their faces. Martha, Rick, Tommy, Nicholas, and Rose were all there, tied to chairs, unable to move or speak. But what caught his attention, what truly made his blood run cold, was Sydney. She stood in the corner, holding baby Alice tightly in her arms, her eyes wide with terror.
"Sydney!" David's voice cracked as he shouted, his limbs still sluggish from whatever had knocked him out. "Are you okay? Is everyone okay?"
Sydney’s gaze locked onto David’s, her face pale but resolute. She nodded quickly, her arms tightening protectively around Alice. “We’re fine, David. Just… don’t do anything rash,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
David’s chest heaved as he struggled to his feet, the room spinning momentarily. His eyes darted around, assessing the situation, looking for any possible escape or weapon he could use. But before he could formulate a plan, a deep, calm voice sliced through the tension like a knife.
“They’re all fine… for now. But who knows what could happen next?”
David spun around to see a tall, imposing man standing in the shadows of the doorway. His presence was commanding, exuding a cold, ruthless authority. The man stepped forward, his face illuminated by the dim light. He was dressed sharply, a dark suit contrasting with the grim surroundings, his eyes piercing as they met David’s.
“Who the hell are you?” David demanded, his voice filled with defiance, though his mind raced with fear and confusion.
The man chuckled softly, a sound that sent shivers down David’s spine. He stepped further into the room, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he had all the time in the world. “You don’t know me?” He smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Well, let me introduce myself. I am Santiago. Santiago Rodriguez, leader of the Los Lobos Negros cartel, the most feared organization in Mexico.”
David’s breath caught in his throat. The name sent a wave of dread through him. Los Lobos Negros—The Black Wolves. He had heard of them, of course. Everyone had. They were notorious, a name whispered in fear across continents. But what was he doing here, in John’s house, holding his friends and family hostage?
And then it hit him like a freight train. The group he had encountered at the mall, the men he had been forced to kill in that desperate, bloody battle… one of them had been Santiago’s brother. David’s eyes widened in horror and realization. This was revenge.
A cold, sick feeling settled in his stomach as Santiago continued, his voice dripping with malice. “I’ve been looking for you, David. It wasn’t easy to track you down, but I’m nothing if not thorough. You killed my brother, and now, I’ve come to settle the score.”
David’s fists clenched at his sides, anger boiling inside him despite the fear. “Your brother and his men attacked us! We were just trying to survive! They gave us no choice!”
Santiago raised an eyebrow, his expression one of mild amusement. “Is that so? And what do you think I’m doing here, hmm? You think I have a choice?”
He glanced around the room, his gaze settling briefly on each of the terrified faces before returning to David. “I’ve lost someone too, David. Someone I cared about. But unlike you, I’m not content to just sit back and let it go. No, I’ve come to make you pay for what you did. And I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”
David’s mind raced as he tried to think of a way out of this. His eyes flicked to Sydney, who was holding Alice protectively, and to the rest of his friends and family, their lives hanging in the balance. He had to find a way to protect them, to get them out of this alive.
“What do you want?” David asked, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside him. “What do you want from us?”
Santiago’s smile widened, a cruel glint in his eyes. “Oh, it’s quite simple, really. I want you to suffer. I want you to know what it feels like to lose everything. To feel the same pain that I felt when you took my brother from me.”
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun, the metallic click echoing in the silent room. He pointed it directly at Sydney, who froze, her eyes wide with fear as she clutched Alice tighter to her chest.
“No!” David shouted, taking a step forward, his heart hammering in his chest. “Leave her out of this! This is between you and me!”
Santiago tilted his head slightly, considering David’s words. “Oh, I’m sorry, David. Did you think you were in control here? That you could dictate the terms?” He laughed, a dark, humorless sound. “No, no. I’m the one calling the shots now. And you… you’re going to do exactly as I say, or I’ll start picking them off, one by one.”
David’s mind raced as he tried to think of a way to defuse the situation. He knew Santiago wasn’t bluffing. The cold, calculating look in his eyes told him that much. But he couldn’t just stand by and let him hurt Sydney or any of the others.
“What do you want me to do?” David asked, his voice low and steady. He had to keep Santiago talking, buy some time to think of a plan.
Santiago lowered the gun slightly, a satisfied smirk on his lips. “Good. I see you’re finally starting to understand. You’re going to come with me, David. We’re going to have a little… conversation. Just the two of us. And if you behave, if you cooperate, then maybe… just maybe… your friends will get to live another day.”
David’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he stared down Santiago. He knew he didn’t have much of a choice. He couldn’t risk Santiago hurting Sydney or the others. He had to play along, at least for now.
“Fine,” David said through gritted teeth. “But you let them go first. All of them.”
Santiago’s eyes gleamed with amusement as he shook his head. “Oh, no, David. You don’t get to make demands. They stay here until I’m satisfied that you’re going to cooperate fully. And if you try anything… well, let’s just say it won’t end well for them.”
David felt a surge of frustration and helplessness wash over him. He was trapped, cornered with no way out. He glanced back at Sydney, who was watching him with wide, pleading eyes, and he knew he couldn’t let Santiago hurt her or the others. He had to do whatever it took to protect them, even if it meant putting himself at Santiago’s mercy.
“Alright,” David said quietly, his shoulders sagging in defeat. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just… don’t hurt them.”
Santiago’s smile widened, his eyes glittering with satisfaction. “Good. Now, come with me. We have a lot to discuss.”
He gestured for David to follow him, and David reluctantly complied, his heart heavy with dread. As he passed by Sydney, he gave her a reassuring nod, trying to convey that everything would be okay, even though he wasn’t sure if it would be. Sydney’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded back, clutching Alice even tighter.
David followed Santiago out of the room and down a dark hallway, his mind racing with a million thoughts. He had to find a way out of this, a way to protect his friends and family. But he knew he was up against a dangerous enemy, one who wouldn’t hesitate to kill if it suited him.
As they reached the end of the hallway, Santiago opened a door and gestured for David to enter. Inside was a small, dimly lit room with a single chair in the center. Santiago motioned for David to sit, and he reluctantly obeyed, his eyes never leaving Santiago’s.
Santiago closed the door behind them and turned to face David, his expression serious. “Now, David, let’s get one thing straight. I’m not here to negotiate or make deals. I’m here to make you pay for what you did. And if you try to resist, if you try to fight back… I will kill every last one of them, starting with that pretty little girlfriend of yours.”
David’s blood ran cold at the threat, but he forced himself to remain calm. He couldn’t afford to lose his temper or make any rash decisions. He had to think strategically, find a way to outsmart Santiago and get everyone out of this alive.
“What do you want from me?” David asked again, his voice steady.
Santiago leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he studied David. “I want you to understand the pain you’ve caused. To feel the same loss that I’ve felt. And then… I want you to die. But not before you’ve watched everyone you care about suffer first.”
The small room seemed to shrink with every breath David took. He could feel his heart hammering in his chest, his pulse a rapid drumbeat of fear and adrenaline. Santiago stood before him, a twisted smile playing on his lips, enjoying every moment of David's desperation.
“You think I’m going to kill you, David?” Santiago’s voice was soft, almost soothing, which made his words even more chilling. “Oh, no. I have no intention of ending your life just yet. That would be too easy. Too merciful.”
David's stomach churned as Santiago took a step closer, his eyes glittering with sadistic delight. “Instead, I’m going to make you choose. One of them gets to die. The rest… they get to live. It’s as simple as that.”
David’s world spun as he tried to process what Santiago was saying. His mind reeled at the impossibility of it all. “No,” he croaked, shaking his head as if he could somehow will this nightmare away. “No, I won’t do it. I can’t.”
Santiago chuckled darkly, the sound like nails on a chalkboard. “Oh, but you will, David. You see, if you don’t choose… then I will. And I guarantee, I won’t be as kind as you might be. You’re going to have to decide who lives and who dies. So choose wisely.”
David felt his knees weaken, threatening to give way beneath him. His gaze darted to his friends and family, all bound and gagged, their eyes wide with fear and disbelief. Martha, his mother, was weeping silently, tears streaming down her face. Rick and Tommy looked at him with a mix of terror and confusion. Nicholas and Rose were whispering frantic prayers under their breath. And then there was Sydney, holding Alice close to her chest, her eyes locked on David, silently pleading with him to do something, anything.
“Santiago, please,” David begged, his voice cracking with emotion. “You don’t have to do this. Just… just let them go. I’ll do whatever you want. Take me instead. Just leave them out of it.”
Santiago’s smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, I am going to take you, David. Don’t worry about that. But first, I want you to feel the weight of this decision. I want you to feel what it’s like to hold someone’s life in your hands, to decide their fate.”
David shook his head again, more vigorously this time, his vision blurring with tears. “No… please, no… I can’t. I can’t make that choice. You can’t ask me to do this.”
Santiago’s expression darkened, his patience wearing thin. “I’m not asking, David. I’m telling you. Choose. Now.”
David’s breath came in ragged gasps as he looked around the room, his heart breaking at the sight of his loved ones, their lives hanging in the balance. How could he choose? How could anyone make such an impossible decision? He couldn’t bear the thought of losing any of them, of being the one to decide who would die and who would live. The weight of it all was suffocating, crushing him under its unbearable pressure.
“Please…” David whispered, his voice barely audible, choked with sobs. “Please, don’t make me do this…”
Santiago’s laughter filled the room, cruel and mocking. “Oh, this is too good. Watching you squirm, watching you break… it’s exactly what I wanted.”
He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “But you’re taking too long, David. And I’m not a patient man. So let’s make this more interesting, shall we?”
Before David could react, Santiago strode over to Sydney and snatched Alice from her arms. Sydney let out a cry of alarm and tried to hold on, but Santiago was too strong. He pulled the baby away with ease, cradling her in his arms as if she were a delicate piece of glass.
“No!” Sydney screamed, reaching out for Alice, her eyes wild with panic. “Give her back! Please, don’t hurt her!”
Santiago held Alice close, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he looked down at the child. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not going to hurt her. Not yet, anyway.”
He turned his gaze back to David, who was frozen in place, his blood running cold at the sight of Santiago holding Alice. “See, David? This is what happens when you hesitate. When you can’t make a decision. Now, I have your little niece, and who knows what might happen next? Maybe I’ll drop her. Maybe I’ll do something worse. It’s all up to you.”
David’s heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing with terror and fury. He could see Sydney’s tears, her fear for Alice palpable and heartbreaking. He could hear the muffled cries of his friends and family, their voices pleading and desperate. And all he could think about was how powerless he felt, how completely and utterly trapped he was in Santiago’s sick game.
“Okay… okay…” David said, his voice shaking as he tried to keep himself from falling apart. “I’ll do it. I’ll make the choice. Just… please, put Alice down. Don’t hurt her.”
Santiago’s smile didn’t waver as he rocked Alice gently in his arms, the baby’s innocent eyes looking up at him, unaware of the danger she was in. “Oh, I don’t think so, David. Not yet. I want to see you make your choice first. I want to see the pain in your eyes when you decide who gets to live and who gets to die.”
David’s stomach churned, bile rising in his throat as he looked around the room once more, his mind screaming at him to find a way out of this. But there was no escape. No way to fight back. All he could do was choose. And the thought of that, of having to pick someone to sacrifice, made him want to crawl out of his own skin.
He looked at Sydney, her eyes wide and pleading as she held out her hands toward Alice, her voice a broken whisper. “Please, David… don’t let him hurt her… don’t let him hurt our baby…”
David felt a tear slip down his cheek as he looked at her, at all of them, and knew he had to do something. Anything. Even if it meant making the hardest choice of his life.
“I… I choose…” he started, his voice barely a whisper as he choked on the words, his heart breaking with every syllable. “I choose…”
But before he could say another word, Santiago interrupted him, his voice sharp and impatient. “Enough!” he snapped, his eyes narrowing as he looked at David with cold disdain. “You’re taking too long, David. And I’m getting bored. So here’s what we’re going to do.”
He glanced down at Alice, who was staring up at him with wide, curious eyes, completely unaware of the danger she was in. Santiago’s smile returned, and it was colder than ever. “Since you can’t make a decision, I’m going to make it for you. But first, let’s have a little fun.”
With that, Santiago lifted Alice high above his head, holding her out over the edge of the staircase that led down to the lower floor. The baby let out a startled cry, her tiny arms flailing as she dangled precariously in Santiago’s grip.
“No!” David screamed, his voice raw and desperate as he lunged forward, his heart in his throat. “Please, Santiago! Don’t do this! She’s just a baby!”
Sydney’s cries echoed his, her hands reaching out for Alice, her face contorted with fear and anguish. “Please, please, don’t hurt her! I’ll do anything! Just don’t hurt my baby!”
Santiago laughed again, the sound cruel and mocking. “Oh, this is too good. Watching you all beg and cry… it’s almost enough to make me change my mind. But not quite.”
He looked down at Alice, his smile fading as he became deadly serious. “I’ll give you one last chance, David. Choose someone to die. Now. Or I let go of this little one, and she takes a very long fall. Your call.”
David felt his world collapsing around him, the walls closing in as he struggled to breathe, to think. He couldn’t let Alice die. He couldn’t let Santiago win. But how could he choose? How could he sacrifice one life to save another?
“I… I can’t…” he whispered, his voice breaking as he looked at Sydney, her eyes pleading with him, begging him to do something, anything.
Santiago’s grip tightened on Alice, his knuckles turning white as he prepared to drop her. “Five… four… three…”
David’s mind went blank as panic set in, his vision blurring with tears. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. All he could do was watch as Santiago counted down, his voice cold and unfeeling.
“Two…”
“Okay!” David screamed, his voice raw and desperate. “Okay! I choose! I choose…”
He looked around the room, his heart breaking as he met each of their eyes, knowing he was about to betray one of them. But he had no choice. He had to save Alice. He had to save them all.
“I choose… me,” he said, his voice trembling as he looked at Santiago, his eyes filled with tears. “Take me. Kill me. Just let them go. Let them all go.”
David's breathing was shallow, his heart pounding in his chest as Santiago held Alice high in his arms. The room seemed to close in around him, the air thick with fear and desperation. He could see the panic in Sydney’s eyes, the tears streaming down her face as she reached out for her daughter, her voice a choked whisper of pleading.
“Please… Santiago, don’t do this. She’s just a baby. Please…”
Santiago’s expression didn’t waver, his eyes cold and calculating as he looked at David. “Do you see, David? This is the world we live in now. A world where every choice, every action, has consequences. And you, of all people, should understand that. After all, you’re the one who killed my brother.”
David flinched at the mention of Santiago’s brother, the memory of that day in the mall flashing through his mind. The violence, the blood, the desperation to survive. He hadn’t thought about who those men were, only that they were a threat. And now, that choice had come back to haunt him in the most terrible way.
“You think you’re doing the right thing,” Santiago continued, his voice low and menacing. “But every action has a reaction. Every choice has a cost. And today, you’re going to learn just how high that cost can be.”
David’s eyes darted around the room, his mind racing as he tried to find a way out of this nightmare. But there was no escape, no way to fight back. Santiago had them all trapped, bound and helpless, their lives hanging by a thread.
Santiago’s gaze softened, almost pitying as he looked at David. “A true leader, David, is someone who can make the hard choices, who can take responsibility even in the most difficult situations. But you… you’re not a leader. You’re just a scared little boy, trying to play the hero.”
David’s fists clenched at his sides, anger and frustration boiling up inside him. “I’m doing the best I can,” he snapped, his voice shaking with emotion. “I’m trying to protect them, to keep them safe. But this… this isn’t fair. You’re forcing me to choose between my family, my friends. How is that fair?”
Santiago’s smile was cold, his eyes narrowing. “Fair? You think this is about fairness? This is about survival, David. This is about showing you that every choice has a consequence. That every action has a price.”
He turned his gaze to the others, his eyes settling on Rose, who was trembling, her eyes wide with fear as she clutched Rick’s hand. Santiago’s smile widened, a cruel glint in his eye. “Tell me, Rose,” he said, his voice smooth and mocking. “Who here is your family?”
Rose’s breath hitched in her throat, her eyes flicking to Nicholas, her brother, and then to Rick, her boyfriend. She knew what Santiago was asking, knew the trap he was setting, but she couldn’t find her voice, couldn’t make herself speak.
“Nicholas is my brother,” she finally whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of her own heartbeat.
Santiago nodded, his smile widening. “And yet, you’re holding Rick’s hand. So, it seems to me that you have a choice to make, Rose. You can save your brother… or you can save your boyfriend. One of them gets to live. The other… doesn’t.”
Rose’s eyes widened in horror, her hand tightening around Rick’s as she shook her head frantically. “No… no, please, don’t make me choose. I can’t… I can’t do it.”
Tears streamed down her face as she looked at Nicholas, her heart breaking at the thought of losing him. But then her gaze shifted to Rick, to the man she loved, and her chest tightened with fear. How could she choose between them? How could anyone make such a decision?
Rick squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with sorrow as he looked at her. “It’s okay, Rose,” he said softly, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. “Your brother… he’s your family. He’s the most important person in your life. You should choose him.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Rose’s breath caught in her throat, a sob escaping her lips as she shook her head again. “No, Rick… I can’t… I can’t lose you.”
Nicholas stepped forward, his expression resolute as he looked at Santiago. “No, Rick,” he said firmly, his voice steady and strong. “You’re wrong. It’s a brother’s duty to protect his sister. And if Rose loves you, then it’s my duty to protect you as well.”
He glanced at David, Sydney, Alice, and the rest of their group, his eyes softening with affection and determination. “This… this family we’ve built here, it’s the most important thing in my life. I’ve already lost so much… I can’t let any of you suffer because of me. If someone has to die… then let it be me.”
Rose let out a choked sob, her legs giving out beneath her as she collapsed to the floor, her body wracked with grief. “No… no, Nicholas, please… don’t do this. I need you. I can’t lose you too.”
Nicholas knelt beside her, his hand gentle as he cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb. “It’s okay, Rosie,” he whispered, his voice breaking as he tried to comfort her. “I’m not afraid. I’ve made my peace with it. And I know that you and Rick… you’ll be okay. You’ll take care of each other. That’s all that matters to me.”
Rick’s eyes were filled with tears as he looked at Nicholas, his voice shaking as he spoke. “Nicholas… you don’t have to do this. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself for us. We can find another way… we can…”
Nicholas shook his head, a sad smile on his lips as he looked at Rick. “There is no other way, Rick. This is the only choice we have. And I’d rather die knowing that Rose is safe, that she’s with someone who loves her, who will protect her, than live with the guilt of letting you die.”
Santiago watched the exchange with a bored expression, his eyes flicking between Nicholas, Rose, and Rick as he twirled Alice’s tiny hand in his fingers. “How touching,” he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “But I don’t have all day. So, what’s it going to be, Rose? Nicholas or Rick? Make your choice.”
Rose’s heart shattered in her chest, her mind reeling as she tried to find a way out, a way to save them both. But there was no escape, no way to avoid the impossible decision that Santiago was forcing upon her.
“I… I can’t,” she whispered, her voice breaking as she looked at Nicholas, then at Rick, her heart tearing in two. “I can’t choose. Please, Santiago, don’t make me do this.”
Santiago’s smile faded, his patience wearing thin as he glared at her. “Choose,” he snapped, his voice cold and unforgiving. “Or I’ll choose for you. And I promise, you won’t like my choice.”
Rose’s breath hitched in her throat, her body trembling with fear and anguish as she looked at Nicholas, her brother, the only family she had left. And then at Rick, the man she loved, the man who had been her rock, her strength, through everything.
“I… I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. “I’m so sorry…”
But before she could say another word, Nicholas reached out and took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “It’s okay, Rosie,” he said softly, his voice filled with love and acceptance. “It’s okay. I’ve made my choice. And I choose to save you. To save all of you.”
He turned to Santiago, his expression hardening as he faced the man who held their lives in his hands. “I’m ready,” he said, his voice steady and unyielding. “I’m ready to sacrifice myself for my family. For Rose, for Rick, for all of them. So, do what you have to do.”
Santiago’s smile returned, a satisfied gleam in his eye as he nodded. “Very well,” he said, his voice cold and final. “You’ve made your choice.”
He turned to his men, gesturing for them to take Nicholas away. “Make it quick,” he ordered, his tone dismissive as if he were giving an order for lunch rather than a life.
Rose let out a wail of despair, her body collapsing as she tried to reach for her brother, her voice a broken cry of anguish. “No! No, please, don’t take him! Please, Santiago, I’ll do anything! Just don’t take my brother!”
Rick wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as she sobbed against his chest, his own tears falling silently as he watched Nicholas being dragged away. “It’s okay, Rose,” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “It’s okay… he’s doing this for you. For all of us.”
David stood frozen, his mind numb with shock and disbelief as he watched the scene unfold. He couldn’t believe this was happening, couldn’t believe that Santiago was actually going through with it. He felt a wave of helplessness wash over him, his heart breaking at the sight of Rose’s grief, of Rick’s pain, of Nicholas’s brave resignation.
But then, something shifted inside him. A spark of anger, of determination, flared to life in his chest, burning away the fear and doubt that had been paralyzing him. He couldn’t just stand there and let this happen. He couldn’t let Santiago take another life, not after everything they had already lost.
“Santiago,” he called out, his voice steady and strong as he stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the man who held their fate in his hands. “Wait. Please… just wait.”
Santiago turned, his brow furrowing as he looked at David, his expression impatient. “What now, David?” he snapped, his voice filled with annoyance. “You’ve already made your choice. There’s nothing more to say.”
As the scene continued to unfold, the tension in the room became almost unbearable. Santiago’s cold, calculating demeanor had everyone on edge, and the sight of his machete glinting in the dim light only heightened the fear coursing through each of them. David stood frozen, his heart racing in his chest as he watched Santiago hold Alice. He could see the fear in Sydney’s eyes as she reached out for her daughter, the baby’s tiny hands clutching at the air.
“Please, Santiago,” Sydney whispered, her voice cracking. “Give her back to me. She’s just a baby.”
Santiago’s gaze shifted to Sydney, and for a moment, something like amusement flickered in his eyes. Then, with a slow nod, he handed Alice back to Sydney. The tension in the room seemed to release, just a little, as Sydney clutched Alice tightly to her chest, her tears falling freely.
David felt a brief wave of relief wash over him. At least for now, Alice was safe. But that relief was short-lived as Santiago’s men dragged Nicholas forward and forced him to his knees in front of everyone. Nicholas’s face was pale, but his eyes were steady and resolute, a stark contrast to the fear gripping the others.
Santiago walked over to Nicholas, his machete held loosely in his hand. He stared down at Nicholas, his expression unreadable. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” he said quietly, almost to himself. Then, louder, he addressed the room. “But bravery and foolishness are often the same thing.”
David took a step forward, his eyes locked on Santiago. “Don’t do this,” he pleaded. “You’ve made your point. Just let us go. We don’t want any more trouble.”
But Santiago silenced him with a sharp gesture. “Quiet!” he barked, his voice suddenly harsh. “All of you, be quiet!”
The room fell silent, the only sound the quiet sobbing of Rose as she clung to Rick. Santiago turned his attention back to Nicholas, his eyes narrowing.
“Let’s see how brave you really are,” Santiago said, raising his machete high.
David’s breath caught in his throat, his heart hammering in his chest. He couldn’t watch. He couldn’t bear to see Nicholas die right in front of them. He squeezed his eyes shut, praying for a miracle.
Then, just as the machete was about to descend, Santiago turned the blade around and stopped it just inches from Nicholas’s neck.
“No!” Rose screamed, her voice raw with terror. “No, please, don’t!”
When David opened his eyes, he saw that Nicholas was still alive, unharmed. Santiago was standing there, machete in hand, a twisted smile on his face. He looked around at everyone, taking in their expressions of shock and confusion, and then he started to laugh.
It was a cruel, mocking laugh that sent chills down David’s spine. No one moved, no one spoke. They were all too stunned to react, too scared to hope that this nightmare might be over.
Santiago wiped a tear of laughter from his eye, his smile fading as he turned back to his men. “Carlos,” he called, “bring the gift.”
David’s heart sank. He had no idea what Santiago was planning, but he knew it couldn’t be good. He glanced at Sydney, who was holding Alice tightly, her face pale and drawn. Rose was clinging to Rick, her eyes wide with fear.
David’s voice was barely a whisper as he spoke, trying to keep his composure. “What are you doing, Santiago?”
Santiago looked at him, his expression amused. “What am I doing? I’m giving you a gift, David. In Mexico, it’s customary to bring a gift when you visit someone’s home. And I’ve brought something very special for all of you.”
Carlos emerged from the shadows, dragging a figure behind him. At first, David couldn’t make out who it was, but as Carlos pulled the figure closer, the dim light illuminated his face. David’s heart stopped.
It was John.
John, who had been missing for days, who they had feared might be dead. But as David looked closer, he saw the bruises covering John’s face, the cuts on his arms, the way he struggled to stand. It was clear he had been beaten badly, tortured.
David’s stomach churned with a sickening mix of relief and horror. Relief that John was alive, and horror at what he had endured. The room was filled with gasps of shock and disbelief.
John’s eyes were barely open, his face swollen and covered in blood. He stumbled forward as Carlos shoved him, collapsing to his knees in front of David.
“How did you like my gift?” Santiago asked, his tone mocking as he looked down at John. “I found him wandering on the farm. My men were kind enough to bring him to me. And I thought, why not share him with all of you?”
David’s blood boiled with rage. He could feel it coursing through his veins, burning hotter and hotter with every second. He took a step forward, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. “You bastard,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “I’ll kill you. I swear to God, I’ll kill you.”
Santiago laughed, a cruel, taunting sound that grated on David’s ears. “Now, that’s the spirit,” he said, his eyes glinting with a sinister amusement. “That’s what I was hoping for from a leader. Someone who’s willing to fight, to give everything for his people. But tell me, David, are you really willing to die for them? For him?”
David’s heart was pounding, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way out of this, a way to save John, to save all of them. But he knew Santiago had them trapped. He knew there was no easy escape.
Santiago crouched down in front of John, grabbing him by the hair and yanking his head back. John let out a pained gasp, his eyes fluttering open.
“Look at him,” Santiago said, his voice dripping with disdain. “This is the man who started it all, isn’t it? The one who led you all into this mess. The one who got my brother killed.”
David could see the pain in John’s eyes, the regret, the guilt. He wanted to reach out, to comfort him, to tell him that it wasn’t his fault. But he couldn’t. He was frozen in place, paralyzed by fear and anger.
Santiago let go of John’s hair, shoving him back to the ground. “But I’m a generous man, David,” he continued, his tone mockingly benevolent. “I’m willing to let this go. To let all of you go. But only if you prove to me that you’re worthy of that mercy.”
David’s eyes narrowed, his fists still clenched. “And how am I supposed to do that?”
Santiago’s smile widened, a wicked gleam in his eye. “Simple. Show me that you’re a true leader. Show me that you’re willing to make the hard choices, to sacrifice for the greater good. Show me… by killing him.”
David’s heart stopped. He felt like the ground had been ripped out from under him, like he was falling into an endless abyss. “No,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “No, I won’t do it.”
Santiago’s smile faded, his expression turning cold and hard. “You will, David. Or I’ll kill him myself. And then I’ll kill all of you.”
David looked around at the others, at Sydney holding Alice, at Rose and Rick, at Tommy and Martha. He could see the fear in their eyes, the desperation. He knew he couldn’t let them die. He knew he had to do something.
But he couldn’t kill John. He couldn’t kill his friend.
“Please,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion. “Please, Santiago. Don’t make me do this. Don’t make me choose.”
Santiago’s eyes softened, just for a moment, and David thought he saw a flicker of sympathy there. But then it was gone, replaced by that same cold, unfeeling gaze. “I’m not making you choose, David,” he said quietly. “I’m giving you a chance. A chance to prove yourself. A chance to save your people. But you have to be willing to take it.”
David felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes. He looked down at John, at his friend who had been through so much already, who had suffered so much because of him. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t kill him.
But then he heard a voice, soft and broken. “David…”
He looked up, and saw John looking at him, his eyes filled with pain, but also with something else. With understanding. With acceptance.
“It’s okay,” John said, his voice barely a whisper. “It’s okay, David. I’m ready. I’m ready to die.”
David shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “No… no, I can’t… I can’t do it…”
John managed a weak smile, his eyes never leaving David’s. “You can. You have to. For them. For all of us.”
David’s heart felt like it was being ripped apart. He could barely breathe, barely think. But he knew John was right. He knew he had to do this, no matter how much it hurt.
He reached for the machete Santiago was holding out to him, his hand trembling as he took it. He looked down at the blade, at the sharp edge glinting in the dim light.
David stood in stunned silence, holding the machete in his trembling hands. His heart was still racing, adrenaline coursing through his veins, but now it was mixed with a confusing surge of emotions. Relief, disbelief, anger—all colliding together as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.
Santiago watched him, his dark eyes thoughtful, a strange, almost wistful expression on his face. He seemed lost in a memory, his gaze distant, before it slowly returned to the present, settling on David. A small, sad smile curved Santiago's lips.
"You know, David," Santiago began, his voice softer than before, "you remind me a lot of my family. My father, my brothers... We were close, like you and your people. We would have done anything for each other."
David's grip on the machete tightened, his knuckles turning white. "If you understand that, if you know what it means to love your family, then why are you doing this?" he demanded, his voice thick with emotion.
Santiago's smile faded, replaced by a hardened look. "Because this world doesn't care about love or family, David. It doesn't care about loyalty or sacrifice. It only understands power and fear. My family was taken from me because I was weak. I won’t make that mistake again."
He paused, glancing at Nicholas, Rose, Sydney, and the others. "But seeing your bravery, your willingness to die for each other... It reminded me of what I lost. It made me think... maybe there's more to this world than just surviving. Maybe there’s more to life than revenge."
David’s heart pounded in his chest. He could see a glimmer of humanity in Santiago’s eyes, a spark of something deeper. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance to reach him. "Then let us go," David pleaded. "We don’t have to be enemies. We don’t have to keep fighting each other. Let us go, and we can start over. We can find a way to live in peace."
Santiago chuckled, a sad, resigned sound. "It’s not that simple, David. You killed my brother. For that, there must be consequences. But I’m not going to kill you or your family. No, I have something else in mind for you."
He turned to his men, giving a sharp nod. Instantly, they stepped forward, grabbing Nicholas, Rose, Sydney, Rick, Tommy, Martha, and Alice, dragging them away from David. Sydney screamed, clutching Alice tighter to her chest, her eyes wide with terror.
"Please, Santiago!" David shouted, panic rising in his chest. "Please, don’t do this! Don’t take them away!"
Santiago looked back at David, his expression cold and unyielding. "Your punishment, David, is to live knowing that you failed. You will wander this world, always searching for them, but never finding them. You will live with the knowledge that they are alive, but forever out of your reach. That is your fate."
"No!" David roared, his voice breaking. He lunged forward, trying to reach his family, but Santiago’s men were too quick. They shoved him back, knocking the machete from his hands and pinning him to the ground.
Sydney’s sobs filled the air as she was dragged away, her desperate eyes meeting David’s for a brief, heartbreaking moment. “David!” she cried, her voice filled with anguish. “David, don’t let them take us! Please!”
David struggled against the men holding him down, his heart shattering into a million pieces. “I’m sorry!” he shouted, tears streaming down his face. “I’m so sorry, Sydney! I won’t stop looking for you! I promise, I’ll find you! I’ll find all of you!”
But Santiago only watched, his expression unreadable. “I’ll be waiting for you, David,” he said quietly. “If you’re strong enough to survive, maybe one day you’ll find us. But until then, this is goodbye.”
With a final, cold glance, Santiago gave a signal to his men. They shoved David and John into a small, dark room, slamming the door shut and locking it from the outside. The sound of the lock clicking into place echoed in the small space, a cruel reminder of their captivity.
David pounded on the door with his fists, screaming for Santiago, for his family, for anyone to hear him. But there was no answer, only the sound of his own desperate cries bouncing back at him. He sank to his knees, his strength finally giving out, sobs wracking his body.
John, still bruised and battered, crawled over to David, placing a hand on his shoulder. “David,” he said softly, his voice hoarse. “I’m so sorry. I wish I could have done more. I wish I could have saved them.”
David looked up at John, his eyes filled with tears. “This is all my fault,” he whispered. “I failed them. I couldn’t protect them. I couldn’t...”
John shook his head, squeezing David’s shoulder. “No, David. This isn’t your fault. Santiago is the one who did this, not you. You did everything you could. You fought for us. You were willing to die for us. That’s all anyone could ask.”
David hung his head, his body shaking with grief. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He couldn’t believe he had lost everything, that his family was gone.
“We have to find a way out,” John said after a long silence. “We have to get out of here and find them. We can’t give up. Not now.”
David nodded slowly, wiping the tears from his face. He knew John was right. He couldn’t give up. Not while there was still a chance to save his family. He had to keep fighting, keep searching, no matter how hopeless it seemed.
He got to his feet, looking around the small, dark room. There had to be a way out. There had to be. He couldn’t let Santiago win. He couldn’t let him take away everything he loved.
“We’ll find a way,” he said, his voice stronger now, more determined. “We’ll get out of here. And we’ll find them. I swear it.”
John nodded, his expression grim but resolute. “We will, David. We will.”
And as they began to search the room for any possible means of escape, David felt a flicker of hope ignite in his chest. It was small, barely a spark, but it was enough to keep him going. Enough to remind him that he wasn’t alone. That he still had a chance.
And he would do whatever it took to bring his family back. No matter the cost. No matter how long it took. He would find them.
And he would make Santiago pay for what he had done.
He had to. For his family. For Sydney. For Alice. For all of them.
He would never stop fighting. Never stop searching. Never stop hoping.
Because that was what it meant to be a leader. To never give up, no matter how dark the road ahead. To keep moving forward, even when all seemed lost. To fight for those you loved, no matter the odds.
And David knew, deep in his heart, that he would find them. That he would bring them home.
No matter what it took.
David’s heart raced as he knelt beside John, panic coursing through his veins. John was slumped against the wall, his face pale and drawn, his breathing labored. Bruises and cuts marred his skin, and he winced with every shallow breath.
“John, stay with me,” David pleaded, his voice trembling. He gently shook John’s shoulders, trying to keep him conscious. “We need to get you out of here. I’ll find a way. I’ll get you help.”
John’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused. He coughed, a wet, rattling sound that sent a chill down David’s spine. “David,” he croaked, his voice barely more than a whisper. “It’s too late for me.”
“No,” David insisted, tears welling up in his eyes. “Don’t say that. You’re going to be okay. I’ll find a way out. I’ll get you medical treatment. Just hold on.”
But as David frantically looked around the small, dark room, he realized with a sinking feeling that there was no way out. The door was locked tight, and there were no windows, no vents, nothing. They were trapped.
And then he heard it—a low, guttural moaning sound, growing louder and closer with each passing second. His blood ran cold as he realized what it was. Walkers. A whole horde of them, and they were getting closer.
David’s heart pounded in his chest as he turned back to John, desperation clawing at his insides. “We have to move, John,” he said urgently, trying to pull the older man to his feet. “We have to get out of here, now.”
But John shook his head weakly, his eyes filled with a weary resignation. “No, David,” he rasped, his voice barely audible. “I can’t. I’m too weak. I’m not going to make it.”
“Yes, you will,” David insisted, his voice breaking. “You have to. I’m not leaving you behind.”
John reached up with a trembling hand, placing it gently on David’s shoulder. “Listen to me, David,” he said softly, his eyes locking onto David’s with a fierce intensity. “My time has come. I’m not going to last much longer. And when I die, I’ll turn into one of them. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to be a danger to you.”
David’s throat tightened, a sob threatening to break free. “No, John,” he choked out, tears streaming down his face. “I can’t… I can’t lose you. Not like this. You’re like a father to me.”
John’s eyes softened, a faint, sad smile tugging at his lips. “And you’re like a son to me, David,” he murmured. “I’ve always wanted a son. Someone to carry on my legacy, to make me proud. And you… you’ve been that for me. More than you know.”
David’s vision blurred with tears as he gripped John’s hand tightly. “You’ve been a father to all of us, John,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “You’ve kept us together, kept us strong. I don’t know what we’ll do without you.”
John squeezed David’s hand, his grip weak but steady. “You’ll keep going,” he said firmly. “You’ll stay strong. For me. For the others. You’ll find them, and you’ll save them. I know you will.”
David shook his head, his chest heaving with sobs. “I can’t do this without you, John,” he cried. “I need you. We all need you.”
John’s smile grew a little wider, though his eyes were still filled with pain. “You’re stronger than you think, David,” he said gently. “You’re a leader. A protector. You’ve got a heart as big as this world, and a spirit that can’t be broken. You’ll find a way. You always do.”
David swallowed hard, his heart breaking at the thought of losing John. “I don’t want to lose you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “Not like this.”
John’s expression softened, and he reached up to brush a tear from David’s cheek. “I know, son,” he said softly. “I know. But we don’t always get to choose our fate. Sometimes… we just have to accept it.”
The moaning outside grew louder, the sound sending shivers down David’s spine. He could hear the walkers shuffling closer, their ravenous hunger driving them forward. Time was running out.
“David,” John said quietly, his voice trembling. “I need you to do something for me. One last thing.”
David nodded, his heart in his throat. “Anything, John,” he said, his voice shaking. “Anything.”
John’s eyes filled with tears as he looked at David, his expression filled with a deep, abiding love. “I don’t want to turn into one of them,” he said, his voice breaking. “I don’t want to become a monster. Please… end it for me. Before it’s too late. Before I hurt you.”
David’s breath caught in his throat, his heart shattering into a million pieces. “No,” he whispered, shaking his head. “I can’t. I can’t do that, John.”
John’s grip tightened on David’s hand, his eyes pleading. “Please, David,” he begged, his voice filled with desperation. “I don’t want to die like that. I don’t want to hurt anyone. Just… make it quick. Please.”
David’s vision blurred with tears, his whole body trembling. He knew John was right. He knew it was the only way. But the thought of losing him, of ending his life with his own hands, was more than he could bear.
“I’m sorry, John,” he sobbed, his voice breaking. “I’m so sorry.”
John’s eyes filled with tears, but he nodded, his expression resolute. “I know, son,” he said softly. “I know. But it’s okay. It’s okay to let go. It’s okay to say goodbye.”
David’s heart felt like it was being torn in two as he reached for the machete, his hands shaking so badly he could barely hold onto it. He looked down at John, his vision swimming with tears, and for a moment, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe.
“I love you, John,” he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. “I love you so much.”
John’s smile was soft and sad, his eyes filled with love. “I love you too, David,” he said quietly. “Always remember that. Always.”
With a trembling hand, David raised the machete, his heart breaking with every beat. He could barely see through the tears that streamed down his face, but he knew what he had to do. He knew it was the only way to save John from a fate worse than death.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered again, his voice barely more than a breath.
And then, with a cry of anguish, he brought the machete down, striking John in the head. The older man’s body jerked once, then went still, his eyes closing forever.
David collapsed beside him, the machete falling from his hands as he sobbed uncontrollably. He buried his face in his hands, his whole body shaking with grief. He had lost so much, endured so much pain, but this… this was more than he could bear.
He had killed the man who had been like a father to him, the man who had guided him, protected him, loved him like his own. And now he was gone. Gone forever.
David’s sobs filled the small, dark room, echoing off the walls like a haunting lament. He felt like his heart had been ripped from his chest, leaving a gaping, bleeding wound that would never heal.
“I’m so sorry, John,” he whispered again, his voice broken and raw. “I’m so sorry.”
He didn’t know how long he sat there, crying beside John’s lifeless body. Minutes, hours—it all blurred together in a haze of grief and pain. The only thing that mattered was the crushing weight of his loss, the unbearable emptiness that filled his soul.
But eventually, the sound of the walkers outside grew louder, breaking through his fog of grief. He knew he couldn’t stay here. He knew he had to move, to find a way out, to keep going. For John. For his family. For the people he loved.
With a heavy heart, David got to his feet, wiping the tears from his face. He looked down at John one last time, his chest aching with loss.
“I promise, John,” he said quietly, his voice filled with determination. “I promise I’ll find them. I’ll save them. And I’ll make Santiago pay for what he’s done. For what he took from us.”
He bent down, gently closing John’s eyes, his hand lingering on the older man’s face for a moment. Then, with a deep, shuddering breath, he turned away, his resolve hardening like steel.
He would survive. He would find a way out. And he would make sure that John’s death was not in vain.
He would honor his memory, and he would keep fighting. No matter what.
Because that was what John would have wanted. That was what he would have done.
And David would not let him down.
Not now. Not ever.