Author POV

People were still running all around; visitors and other customers ran to save their lives, while the staff and security tried their best to handle the chaos erupted due to the sudden gunshots.

Amidst the chaos, Justin ran towards the store where he'd left the boys, without fearing any danger. He'd previously read the text that Liam sent to him when he left Amelia in the trial room.

In no time, he reached the store. He prayed internally that everyone should be safe and sound.

He had to find Liam. To answer his questions. These gunshots were not a mere terror attack. This was something else. Something much more greater than Justin would have ever imagined it could be.

"Justin?"

Called a low, yet firm and cautious voice.

"Liam!", replied Justin. "Where are Ryan and Andrew? And the girls? Amelia said that they were in the jewelry store."

"Where did you meet Amelia? And where's she now?"

"She's safe. Tell me about others."

Liam and Justin walked just till the exit of the store. They glanced in all directions. Those attackers were nowhere to be seen.

Liam wiped his sweating forehead, pointed towards store across theirs and said, "The girls are still in the jewelry store. Sarah told me. And the relieving thing is, there's a fire exit just besides the jewelry store. I saw a few people going there. I think it would open to basement or the parking area. Majority of the people are being handled by the security but I don't think they're sufficient to handle those attackers. They've called the cops but it would take time for the situation to be under control."

"So what are we planning to do, Liam?"

"Let's take the fire exit. We both know those attackers aren't some usual attackers. They are our rivals. They know you're still inside the mall. They might be coming here looking for you."

Justin stood there, blank. He never imagined his father's rivals could be so rebellious and eager to kill him. They were not here in his life a few months ago, but now they're back all of a sudden to kill Justin.

"Okay, let's do this. But where are Ryan and Andrew?"

"They are arranging some sharp items from the nearby stores. We cannot leave this place without being armed."

"Yeah, right. But we still need to be careful."

"We can only do this much, Justin. Moreover, the girls need to reach the dorm safely. We guys can manage later, somehow."

Just then, Ryan and Andrew soon came back to the same store where Liam and Justin were waiting for them.

"Guys, we could get only these many things..."
Ryan muttered, carefully handling a pile of bedsheets, cloth hangers, brooms, knives and floor mops.

Liam and Justin looked at the items for way too long.

"Sharp, you said huh?", said Justin, turning towards Liam and glaring at him in disbelief.

"Don't glare at me, they did bring knives."

Andrew handed the both of them two knives and two brooms. "Come on, back to Mission – Rescue the Girls.

Justin internally facepalmed himself and said, "Okay, okay. These would work. But what's our plan? We cannot just go out and enter the jewelry store."

Ten minutes later,

Ryan : Guys be right behind me. I'll tell you—Arrrghhh! Andrew, stop poking your mop on my back!

Andrew : Bear with it for just a bit.

Liam : Let's leave already.

All the four boys went out on the corridor. Though they looked funny with those brooms and bedsheets, it was still undeniable that their lives were on danger. Even if one of the attackers spotted them in the open, they were surely going to be dead.

Justin : Ryan and Liam inside and rescue the girls. Andrew and I will stay near the entrance.

Ryan and Andrew carefully went inside the jewelry store. Each step was carefully thought and put forth. One wrong step, and everyone was in danger. They couldn't afford any danger right now, not when the girls are still inside the mall.

Ryan and Liam spotted Katherine, Sarah and Daisy. They were all hiding behind the showcases, in utter confusion and fear.

"Come on, keep silence and follow us," Ryan said.

The girls somehow held themselves together and got up. Each one of them completely scared by those gunshots. It wasn't easy for the girls. They don't even know who these attackers are and why are they causing such disturbance.

The boys successfully reached the fire exit with the girls, making sure no one followed them back.
Everyone was holding either a knife or a broom. Andrew held a bedsheet and a knife and protected the group from the back, while Justin lead.

"Yeah, here we are. Y'all go ahead. We need to bring Amelia back, now," Justin announced.

"Careful everyone. Stay in contact," Sarah patted Justin's back lightly.

Justin POV

We dropped the girls by the exit which opened to the parking area. This way of exit was new to us since it was never used before by anyone. We don't even know how the girls would find their way to get out of the mall. Katherine said she would handle it, hence we didn't give it much thought.

Now we only need to get Amelia from that trial room. I really hope those attackers should've not reached till her.

We were going back by the fire exit. Confident, yet cautious.

But then we heard it. Footsteps.

Someone is very near. Someone, or maybe some people... we don't know, yet.

But then –

Bang. Bang. Bang!

The gunshots. Once again. Louder, this time.

We were all terrified, yet had to keep a calm composure and move forward. The gunshots were louder this time. Maybe the attackers are nearby. We can get caught. Full possibility.

At once, Ryan, Liam and Andrew can run and save their lives; but it's not going to be the same for me. Those attackers have come for me. I won't be spared so easily.

We were already moving. Sometimes quick, sometimes slow. But we were moving continously.

"Stop, right there."

We heard, all of a sudden. Now we are definitely gonna be dead.

I lifted up my gaze and saw one of those attackers in front of us.

He was in clad in black. Black suit, black mask, black sunglasses, black shoes.

There was a tattoo on his wrist.

TST.

In calligraphy.

I have seen this somewhere. But where, I don't remember. Maybe Liam should be knowing. Or Uncle Ed should.

"Who's Justin amongst y'all?"
The man asked, his voice was deep and demanding.

I was about to say that it's me. My friends are in danger and I cannot let that man cause any harm to them.

But then, I felt a hand holding my wrist. I slowly glanced at it. Ryan.

I knew very well this gesture of his. It always meant 'freeze'.

And something in me actually freezed. I wanted to tell that man that I'm Justin. And to leave my friends and deal with me.

But the hold Ryan had on me... I wasn't able to act anything at the moment.

"Just fucking spit it out."
The man ordered again.

Ryan slightly turned his head towards us, slight enough to look into our eyes. We don't know what he's planning and if it would even work or not. But we trust him. And that's enough.

Liam, Andrew and I too looked into his eyes; and it was all that took us to do something right away.

Andrew quickly tied the bedsheet all around the man's face and neck, due to which he was unable to scream.

Meanwhile the three of us ran upstairs. The store was nearby, we are already close to Lia.

Soon, we reached the store entrance. It was our good luck we didn't encounter any other attacker after that one.

"Justin, you go inside and bring her. We'll stay here in the entrance. Call out for help if needed."

I nodded and wasted no time going inside. I just wish she's still in there, safe and sound.

The whole store looked empty. Lights still on. And the things still on their places as they were before I left. Looks like those men didn't come here, yet.

I found the trial room where I asked Lia to stay until I come back. The door was slightly ajar. I couldn't let myself go slow. I banged on the door, opening it.

And what I saw, was simply unbelievable.

My breath... caught.

Lia wasn't standing there, waiting for me like I'd told her.
She was on the floor.
A red heel lay beside her, soaked in fresh blood.
Tears streaked her face, wide eyes locking onto mine with a desperate, silent scream.

Chaos? ✅
Gunshots? ✅
Girls rescued? ✅
Amelia safe? ...oh wait 😶
Anyway, Amelia's definitely not alone inside the trial room. Let's see who's lying 'almost dead' beside her.

Please vote and leave a comment if you liked this chapter. The next chapter will be update soon. Take care, cuties 💙

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