Chapter 046

~~~Aiden~~~ Two days had passed since Hailey gave birth, and the waiting was suffocating me. She still hadn't woken up from her trance state, leaving me feeling helpless and anxious. If it hadn't been for my mom's constant presence, I would have been lost, unsure of how to care for my newborn son. My dad's visit yesterday had been a welcome distraction, but his over-the-top enthusiasm had grated on my nerves. I rolled my eyes at his proud smile, feeling a mix of emotions: happiness for my dad's excitement, but also frustration that Hailey wasn't awake to share in the joy. As I watched my mom nurture my child, I felt a pang of gratitude. She had been a rock, supporting me through this uncertain time. Even the simple act of changing diapers had become a cherished experience, one that I had always wanted to share with Hailey. But Hailey's prolonged unconsciousness weighed heavily on my mind. I yearned for her to wake up, to break the news to her that I was the father of our child. The mystery of that drunken night still lingered, and I hoped that together, we could piece together the events that had led to this unexpected turn of events. As I gazed at Hailey's serene face, I felt a surge of love and concern. I longed for her to open her eyes, to smile at me, and to begin our new life together as a family. The hospital smell, once a reminder of my anxiety, now seemed like a minor inconvenience compared to the uncertainty of Hailey's fate. As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the hospital, Mom and I realized we were starving. The hospital food, once a convenient option, now felt like a monotonous routine. I offered to venture out to the nearby supermarket, eager to break the monotony and satisfy our growling stomachs. As I strolled through the supermarket aisles, my eyes wandered to the baby section. Rows of colorful toys and supplements lined the shelves, each one vying for my attention. I couldn't resist; I picked up a few items that caught my eye, imagining my little boy's face lighting up when he saw them. A voice in my head chimed in, laced with amusement. "Aiden, the baby isn't even a week old, and you're already buying him toys?" I chuckled to myself, feeling a bit sheepish. "It's not my fault," I reasoned. "I'm just so excited, and that excitement is taking the best of me." The thrill of being a new dad was intoxicating, and I couldn't help but get swept up in the excitement of it all. As I walked out of the supermarket, I collided with a familiar, yet unwelcome, face - Sandra's. Our eyes met, and I felt a surge of irritation. "Fuck," I muttered under my breath. Why was she everywhere all of a sudden? I approached her, anger simmering just below the surface. "Are you stalking me now?" I demanded, my voice low and menacing. Sandra's eyes darted around the parking lot, ensuring we were alone. "Aiden, please, I just want to talk," she said, her voice laced with desperation. A sarcastic voice echoed in my head, "Remind me never to go anywhere alone again." I glared at Sandra, my anger boiling over. "That's what we've been doing since we crossed paths, Sandra - 'talk' - and not one meaningful word has come out of your mouth." Sandra's lips parted, ready to respond, but before she could speak, a figure emerged from the shadows. A black cloth was clamped over her face, and she was dragged away. My instincts kicked in, and I tried to react, but a masculine hand clamped down on my shoulder, holding me in place. I struggled to break free, dropping the items I'd purchased, but it was too late. A handkerchief was pressed over my nose and mouth, and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. As the world around me began to blur, I realized I'd been sedated. My vision faded to black, and I collapsed, unconscious. I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess clinging to me like a shroud. The sedatives still lingered, making my vision blurry. But as the seconds ticked by, my sight began to clear, and I took in my surroundings. The room was shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to see anything beyond a few feet. A muffled voice caught my attention, and I turned toward the sound. "Mmmmmm!! Mmmm!!" Sandra's eyes met mine, and I saw the desperation and fear etched on her face. Her hands were bound to a chair, and her mouth was taped shut. Black lines ran down her cheeks, a testament to the tears she'd shed. "Sandra? Where are we?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the growing unease in my chest. Panic set in as I struggled to move, but my efforts were futile. I was tied to a chair, just like Sandra. A surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins as I frantically pulled at the restraints, but they only dug deeper into my skin. A cold sweat broke out on my forehead as I realized the gravity of our situation. Who were these people, and what did they want with us? I glanced at Sandra, her eyes wide with fear, and my heart sank. Before I could ask another question, the door burst open, and two hulking men stepped into the room. A third figure lingered in the shadows, his face obscured by darkness. My heart sank, and a chill ran down my spine. Who were these men, and what did they want with us? The two men stood motionless, their faces impassive, while the third figure remained shrouded in darkness. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "What do you want?" I spat, trying to keep my voice steady, but it trembled with fear. The men didn't respond, their silence more unnerving than any words could have been. The third figure emerged from the shadows, his voice dripping with malice. As the man stepped further into the dimly lit room, the faint light danced across his face, revealing a gruesome burn scar on the right side. The disfigured skin seemed to stretch and pull at his features, making his already menacing expression even more terrifying. My stomach churned with a mix of fear and revulsion as I took in the sight. The scar seemed to add an air of malevolence to his presence, making me wonder what kind of person could inflict such a horrific injury. The man's eyes seemed to gleam with a sinister intensity as he took pleasure in my reaction. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he began to move closer, his burnt face twisted into a grotesque grin. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the almighty Aiden Brooklyn and his ex-girlfriend," he sneered. My anger boiled over, and I spat, "I said, what do you want?" My voice echoed through the room, louder and more defiant than before. The man chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound. "Hmm, fierce," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Just like your dad. Come to think of it, you really look so much like him." My heart sank, and a chill ran down my spine. What did he want with my dad? The man's next words sent a wave of fear crashing over me. "I wonder how he's going to feel if he finds out his precious son was kidnapped... or maybe dead!" The man's voice was like a rusty gate, scraping against my nerves. My eyes widened in shock, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. Who was this man, and what did he want from me and my family?