Severed Bonds
Chapter 22- Living Nightmare

"Their raging war." Ali blurts.

"They know, we know their whereabouts." Thomas adds.

"Precisely, they just want an accurate representation of how good we know them." Thomas and I hop in the van.

"I'm coming with you guys." Ali announces. I nod at her firmly.

"I'll be the one who walks in, while you guys gather the clan to cover the perimeter." Thomas doesn't object.

"You will distract them to the best of your ability Ian, but be careful since they already know you'll be there. It will be hard to catch them off guard."

"I know how their leader works, Thomas. It will be your guy's job to take out some of the guards. There may be a time where I'll have to step in with you guys."

"It will be difficult seeing how you'll have to surrender your weapons and everything." Ali looks at me as to say, "Do you know what you're doing?"

"Yes, but the clan leader is greedy and unsure of his actions. We can definitely use that to our advantage." Thomas adds. Even so, the clan leader is also unhinged. If he feels threatened or upset he may take it out on Hannah. I hope this works for her sake and for mine.

Hannah Pov,

I wake up in the dark room again, my head is pounding from the amount of crying I did yesterday. I pinch myself hard, that's when I realize. This isn't a dream, it's my reality. The door screeches open, showing the man from yesterday. He throws a plate of food at me.

"Here!" I look at it and back at him. They didn't put anything in it? Did they? "Why aren't you eating!" The man roars. My arms begin to shake, "What? Do you want me to force feed you?" I snatch the bread and take a bite out of it. The guy looms there by the door way, I take another bite while my eyes pool with tears. Once he's satisfied he leaves me alone, in the dark room. I hug my knees in and munch on the bread. Surely my dad noticed I'm gone by now? They will come to get me soon. But for now all I can do is wait...alone. In this dark room. I fall asleep again, and wake up on the cold floor. I hear whispers coming from the outside, I creep over to the door and press my ear on the door. I can't make out a thing! Their voices are too low! I go back to the end of the wall and crouch down there. I hug myself tight to bare the cold and emptiness in the room. With nothing but my thoughts to torture me, are they going to kill me? Is this where it all ends? Will my body even be discovered? Heh, Justin for sure will find me and he can tell the story of why I left, why I never could tell them the truth. I hear a few sniffles escape, I'm so exhausted from crying. It physically hurts for me to cry, if I die. The biggest regret I would have is me pushing Justin away. He won't ever forgive himself, he'll blame himself for my death. I always thought I'd die surrounded by my loved ones, not alone in a cold and dark room. Suddenly the door screeches open, I look up and see the woman from yesterday. She looks at me with such disgust and disdain. She marches in and yanks my arm up.

"Come on! Get up!" She pulls me forcefully out of the room. My feet stumble on the floor. Each time they do the woman groans. She yanks me through a door, a wide room comes into my vision. There's some men and women standing around stiffly, while one man stands in the back. He stands there with a huge grin, the lady plops me on the carpet in front of her. My head falls down, I force it up and see Ian standing in the middle, for the first time I couldn't be more relieved to see him. He stands there confidently and firmly locking eyes with the guy in the back.

"As you can see, this is no trick. Now I make my demands." The guy comes forward but keeps his distance from Ian. Ian stands there unfazed.

"Do as you wish." He says politely. I can barely recognize it's Ian he's talking to. It's like he's a completely different person.

"I want full access to your safehouses and profits." I don't know much about the clan stuff, but that seems like a lot to ask for.

"I'll see what I can arrange." Huh? He's actually considering this?

"ARRANGE? You will do as I ask of you boy!" Is he going to kill him? Ian remains unfazed by the man's outburst.

"What I meant by arrange is... if I can arrange more than just profits." You see, as the son of the clan leader. I have privileges that can get you access to our safehouses, weapons, profits, territories and bases. My father failed to see what a valuable ally you can be to us. I may be his son but I am not him. I can see our clans conquering territories, and safehouses of other low class clans. And even powerful enough to take over the council." The man looks at Ian intrigued by his bargain. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"What's the price?"

"Not much, just my life...I wouldn't risk my life for low class clans. But yours is strong and more capable." Is this where we make the exchange?

"You're waging an alliance by using your own life?" He asks skeptically. Ian holds his ground. The guy slowly forms a smile and starts laughing. "Aha,hahahahaha!" Other people in the room start to laugh along with him nervously. This guy is insane. "Well, this is unexpected? Seems like we're both on the same page then?" Is that good?

Seems like it, so now that we are allies. There's no need for threats." The man's smile quickly forms into a scowl.

"What gives you the right to give orders to me!"

"Forgive me for implying it as an order, that was wrong of me. I just think that our clans should start on good grounds." He remains calm and calculating. This guy is ticking time bomb!

"Ah, I see."He tilts his head slightly. One guy walks up to him whispering something to him. "I will decide what's right for our clan!" The guy apologizes and walks away. He waves his hand and looks at the girl holding me. "Release the human." Her grip is free from my aching wrists, I run towards Ian. He grips onto my wrist. OW! What the hell!

"So it's settled?" He looks back at the guy.

"Yes, starting tonight." Ian nods his head. He yanks my wrist and pulls me toward the exit. Ow! OW! OW! What the hell? He can't be more inconsiderate?

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