Maria's POV
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..may their souls rest in peace" the priest concluded as my parents' coffins were lowered to the ground.
Funerals are one of the most hypocritical events of all time. After the grave is covered. One after the other. Each invited and uninvited guest, as well as the ones who promise to be there for you. Walk away. Leaving you in the reality of your loss.
We had just returned from the UK, back to Mexico after dad's business got folded up due to several loan issues. Dad's last resort was The Blood Diamond. A rare piece he discovered from one of his mining adventures months earlier when
He travelled to Sierra Leone. Fortunately I was a daddy's girl and as so, I went with him on almost all of his adventures, including the journey that discovered the rare piece.
17 years earlier. Dad was into the mining business. The abrupt end came when he said: "Our life's in danger" . We came over to the UK to start anew. But Dad's heart never left those dark tunnels. The night of my parent's murder and the narrowly escaped death was still a mystery to me. A mystery I was grateful Fernandez saved me from. Hours after we had settled in on our Now confiscated mansion. He dragged me out to one of our favorite childhood street food spots.
I had got some for Mom, it was her favorite while Dad was a strict vegetarian. The paper bags were free from my grasp.
The pool of blood on the tiles, the smell that toxicated my nostrils and a sight that haunts my dreams. My father's fingernails scattered on the table with blood indicated he was tortured before his death. My mom's corpse on the other hand was sealed besides my Dad. Autopsy report showed she was stumped in the skull which led to an internal bleeding. Was she bait for Dad to speak? Or do whatever the murderers asked?
After all the torture a bullet was sent to her heart. And dad, one to his spleen and one in his skull. And more. The Blood Diamond was gone.
Present Day......
I stood at the edge of their graves. Staring at the 1965-2020 on dad's gravestone and 1969-2020 on mom's.
when a familiar voice, undoubtedly Fernandez, called out my name softly.
But my heart couldn't bear any more consolation. So I halted him to a stop before he could speak further. "Please Fernandez…..I'd love to be left alone" I said moving closer to my parent's grave. But he swiftly came back to me and said,
"But Maria, it isn't safe out there, your parents' killers are likely still roaming out there and......", "And you should bring those a*sholes to book, don't you think so?" I answered rudely. I was at that state where I couldn't think straight. All I wanted was the culprits behind bars.
"I'm doing my very best Maria," Fernandez replied assuredly. Although Fernandez was my childhood best friend, he was also the town's detective. Popularly known as 'Special agent Fernandez.'
I decided to walk away. Aimlessly without a specific direction. When again Fernandez's voice followed me.
"What can I do to get your recognition, to make you see me?". Believe me you, he wasn't speaking platonically.
I couldn't believe he still hadn't gotten over me. He's been on and on about loving me since childhood and even after he was forced by his late father to marry the girl he impregnated, he still didn't let go.
"Go back to your wife and son. THAT WOULD MAKE ME DELIGHTED!" I replied, putting him in his place for the umpteenth time. Then the voice ceased. I went further into another section in the cemetery. I could no longer act brave and tough, I busted out in tears. I sob and sob, where I knew no one was watching. But I was wrong.
I felt a presence but I waved the feeling away. Until I was ambushed by five hulk men. With their strength combined they could lift Everest.
I looked behind me and there was an open black van. "Get in!" one of them ordered. I hesitated and made a step towards my aimless journey. But they circled around me. So closely I was compressed by their broad chest. "Bundle Her into the van!" the hulk man who spoke earlier ordered. But I wasn't going to be taken without a fight or was I.
Just before I could defend myself a black cloth was covered over my head and I couldn't see. I was dragged into the van regardless I kept shouting and screaming. The van door closed shut but I didn't relent in my screams.
I felt a pinch in my neck but still I didn't give up on the kicking, slapping and biting. Until my hands felt like ponies.
I couldn't remember how long I had slept but all I remembered was my eyes opening in the entrance of a ginormous gate. "Wake that bi*ch up" I subconsciously heard as a bucket of water was tossed on my face. I woke up panting heavily with my dress completely drenched.
The moment I got myself, I ran up to one of the huge bouncers, took off one of my heels and poked him in the eye. He lost balance and fell. And was my access. Despite the other men pulling me up from him. I didn't stop thrusting the four inch heels into his left eye. It was like an unmatched strength possessed me. His blood splattered on my already wet dress but I carried on. Suddenly I heard a gunshot which sent the heels of my hands, scattering it to the air.
I paused, everyone else paused. I looked up while still painting like I did a 1000km race. Just then my eyes beheld the most devilishly handsome man ever. He was laced with tattoos all over his body except his face. The bouncer's body was peeled off my thighs and was dragged away by another. I was still on my knees starting from an elevated eye level, what looked like a Greek god.
"Why did you do that?.....And I liked that guy" the handsome looking devil said. "Biggie, you know how it works...." he added, moving towards where the bouncer was laid. "I can't have a one eyed man guard my fortress" he added squatting before the bouncer.
"Please boss…..I'd get better" the bouncer said trying to get up on his feet. "Relax Biggie" he said, leading him back to lay down, and in a flash of seconds. "I understand. I'd give you one more chance….." he muttered and I saw a smile of hope on the bouncer's face. Then the Boss concluded saying, "A chance to guard my fortress ... .In Hell!". Immediately he shot him. I heaved loudly in shock.
He got up from where he squatted and walked back to where he stood earlier. Acting like he didn't just murder someone.
"And yes, where were we?" he asked but I kept staring at the lifeless body of the bouncer. I hated myself for causing his death. "Don't be bothered about that....I've got a lot more" he said, traveling his hands about the room.
"You're an animal" I said rudely to him. "And you're in my territory" he replied, staring fiercely at me. "Who are you and what the fuck do you want from me?" I finally asked the very question that lingered on my mind since God knows when. "I'm Jordan Rodriguez. Heir to this multi billion dollar fortune" he replied radiating so much pride.
His ego reeked around him. "I don't give a f*ck what you own, why have you hijacked me at noon of my parents burial. Can't you see I'm mourning!" I inquired angrily. But he paused and watched me pant in anger before finally saying.
"Look…..there's the problem.....you are the sperm of that bastard, Morales. You're really lucky Miss Maria to be alive". He smirked and said, "But we don't want you dead YET…... .until you give us what we want" I couldn't believe my ears, I was right before my parent's killer. I stood still for seconds as I watched his lips vomit wickedness. I abruptly ran to him just about punching him in the face when I was restrained by his bouncers.
"You killed my parents you modafucking asshole!, I'm going to make you pay!" I threatened, screaming on top of my voice while trying to struggle out from the bouncer's grip.
"Your parents weren't the angels they portrayed to be, so save your strength for your own fate" Jordan added as I growled in anger. In seconds I made my way out of one of the bouncers' grip by hitting him in the balls and still went after the ring leader, Jordan. This time around I succeeded in spitting on his face.
"Woah.....feisty, am intrigued" he said, cleaning up his face with a handkerchief. After he was done he made sure a stinging slap graced my cheeks, which eventually flattened me to the ground. "Unfortunately for you.....you are in our captivity
where you'd beg for death, Until. You provide us with the whereabouts of the Blood Diamond's mine. That one piece wasn't enough....." I felt like reaping him to shreds. Himself and his entire family ruined my life. The bank confiscated our assets as documents from 17 years ago emerged. Dad hopped on selling the diamond to pay off debts and resume the business properly.
I overheard him on the phone the night before our return, that the exchange(Money for diamond) would be made when he returned.
I was emotionless. But all I wanted was to reap the head off the bastard called 'Jordan' "Your father owed us…... alot your pitifully penny could never pay. But in place of the money. We want the location of that diamond mine!"
I was full of so much rage, and the verbal outburst was:"You're a nut head Mexican prick. Just take a look at you....you deranged animal" I said laughing aloud psychotically. But the Mafia Prince didn't find my words funny.
"You....razor tongue, would make a fine…... .slave!" he responded mockingly.
"I'd rather die than salve for my You" I concluded angrily, spitting on his face. I received a resounding slap given by Jordan as his retaliation which sent me straight to la-la land.
"YOU'D NOT ONLY BE JORDAN RODRIGUEZ'S SLAVE BUT A SLAVE TO THE ENTIRE RODRIGUEZ DYNASTY!...But for now get me my diamond….." I heard Jordan concluding angrily as I faded into unconsciousness.
I woke up in a room which looked similar to a prison cell only that there were no bars but a door. The split headache I felt made me hold my head to keep a balance when I felt the presence of another person in the room. The lights were so dim and I could barely see. All I saw fairly was someone sitting on the arm rest chair.
"Who's there? Show yourself" I ordered arming myself with the defective lamp on the other side of the bed. "Save your strength girl" was a deep female voice. She stood up, switching on the light which was concentrated only in the bed. Giving the room a creepy ambiance. "And who are you?" I was absolutely terrified.
"I'm the co-host of this fine...who as well would make your life a living hell. Till you beg to die!" she said meaning everything she said bye the look in her eyes. She was such a deadly looking woman. Her eyes gazed at me like she was going to reap me apart. "What have I done to all of you, I just want to mourn my parent's in peace and pick the broken pieces of my life" I said and began shedding tears.
"Your Father and my brother, Rodriguez, invested in the mining business. With separate companies. With ours absolutely Father's yielding no quota. Morales, your father, out of the blue made it and discovered a diamond mine...." I kept on listening with knee interest. "But when my brother inquired where the mine was, he refused revealing its location", "Diamond hungry. My brother searched and searched. Entering caves and tunnels he shouldn't have", "And sadly almost fell to his death when a tunnel collapsed!" he stated with so much rage.
"Do you know what that did to my brother?.....He's decapitated laying like a vegetable on his bed" she said in tears ran down her eyes. "All these would have never happened. If only, your father told him where!" she concluded, gazing into my eyes like the payback she desired hid in them. I didn't want to bring myself to imagine the lengths she'll go.
She allowed me to go haywire in my thoughts and continued saying: "We waited till he got back to Mexico to exact our revenge after seventeen long years." I was dazed by how passionately emphatic she was. I was only ten when this all happened.
"A grudge held for that long" I replied utterly speechless. "Yes we Rodriguez have had our eyes on you all for so long…...but now we're blessed with your parent's death and thrilled to punish you for your father's sins" she concluded slamming the door shut.
The days of my sorrow were only beginning and I feared for my life. I was in complete torture in the clutches of the Rodriguez. I was drowned in chemical water daily, electrocuted through my ears, strapped and whipped while filmed. I was personally deskinned on the back by Jordan. All requesting I spill the location. So many unspeakable things were done to me till I became a shadow of myself. And while it all happened the demon Jordan never missed an attendance.
The old lady whom I got to know later was 'Aunt Lucille'. Fulfilled her every word as she'd deprived me of food, water and feminine needs. I knew I had avenged my parents so I stood firm and didn't give in. Revealing the mine's location was me revealing myself to death.
Jordan had a younger sister, Bianca who he dangerously loved. He was protective of her as she was to him. She was sometimes my saviour as she takes pity on me everytime she witnessed my torture. They'll argue whenever she meddled in my torture but he'd always relieve me, for her sake.
I stayed in Rodriguez's captivity for eight months. Until one fateful night when one of his guards was extremely horny. He sneaked into my room or cell per say. Going against Jordan's orders. "Don't come close to me, I'd scream" I said jumping out from the bed. "I've wanted you since the day I saw you…...come here!" he tried pulling me to himself when I dodged his grip.
"You'd love it, I promise you" he said, already stripping my clothes with his eyes. "Jordan would have your head!", "Master Jordan is out for business" he replied, still coming at me. I was terrified seeing him strip his clothes off. I knew he meant business. I mistakenly took the wrong step when he caught me in his arms. He planted forceful kisses on my neck and face, walking his hands through my thighs. He pinned me to the bed while trying to reap my pants off.
When I gave him a good kick in his balls which sent him down the ground groaning. I seized the opportunity and took to my heels. But of course I didn't leave without a victory speech, "Tell your boss, he hired a big brainless horny bastard as a guard. I'm sure he'd have your head for this."
I picked up the keys and locked him in instead. He kept yelling, "Come back!" but the days of a
tyrannical living was over. I was just on my way out when
Unfortunately I was spotted by Diego, Jordan's right hand man. He apparently saw me sneaking past the yard's CCTV and a trope was immediately dispatched by him to pursue me.
They didn't relent in pursuing me. Aiming at me with their guns and rifle. Sending bullets flying around. I stopped to catch my breath but felt a sharp pain on my lower back. I ran and hid in a small bush. I made myself believe that perhaps a branch of a tree bruised my skin but on walking my hands through my waist, I gasped. I rubbed and smelled my finger. The smell of blood engulfed my nostrils. I looked down at my belly and discovered blood dripping. And I felt an excruciating pain.
I had been shot.
Following the next few seconds was intense dizziness. And so, I passed out.