Wax and the rest of Wax’s crew took their unconscious Maria onto the bus, and they were heading to the gate.
The men moved carefully but quickly, each one aware that time was not on their side.
Two of them supported Maria’s weight while the others scanned the surroundings, their eyes constantly moving, watching for any sign of trouble.
Their boots hit the metal steps of the bus one after the other, and within seconds, they were all inside.
One of the crew shut the bus door firmly behind them, then signaled to the driver.
The engine rumbled to life, low but steady, as the vehicle began rolling forward across the compound.
The headlights cut through the dim environment as they approached the large gate ahead—their only way out.
As they were passing through the gate, the gate door closed — BOOM — and they knew that they had been discovered.
The sudden crash echoed through the entire area, loud enough to make everyone inside the bus stiffen instantly.
The bus jerked slightly as the driver instinctively slowed down.
One of Wax’s crew spoke.
There were about six of them.
“I knew it.
Our escape won’t be easy.”
The men immediately shifted positions.
Two moved toward the windows, peering out to check for incoming threats.
Another stepped closer to the front, watching the gate as if expecting it to reopen.
That’s when Maria stirred.
At first, it was just a faint movement—her fingers twitching slightly.
Then her head shifted.
Then she remembered that she was knocked out, and she quickly got up only to see strange men, about six of them.
Her eyes widened as she pushed herself upright, her breathing uneven as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.
She spoke: “Who are you guys?”
Wax replied, “We are not your enemies.
But it looks like we won’t be getting out unscathed.” His voice was steady, but his eyes were already scanning the outside again, calculating their next move.
Then Maria said, “Call for help.”
“We tried, but there is no signal,” they said.
One of the crew lifted his phone slightly, shaking his head in frustration.
“Give me your phone.
Let me try something.” She collected the phone and started typing on it.
Her fingers moved quickly across the screen, precise and confident, as if she knew exactly what she was doing.
The others watched her, confused but silent.
Then she got signal and told them, “Take it.
I’m able to get signal now.
It will only last three minutes.
Call for help.”
They were shocked — “You can hack?”
“Just call.
You have three minutes.” She handed the phone back and called Mr.
Thompson.
Meanwhile, Mr.
But when he saw Wax’s number, he picked up immediately.
“Hello, where are you guys?”
“We are at the outskirts of the town, and now the gate has been closed.
Come and rescue us immediately.”
As Wax finished speaking with Mr.
Thompson, a loud voice boomed from the speaker: “As long as you are in our territory, we decide.
Now stay wherever you are quietly and wait for us to come and get you guys.” Then the voice was gone.
A heavy silence followed inside the bus.
One of Wax’s crew, Kay, asked Wax, “Are we going to sit and wait for our death?
Why don’t we take Maria somewhere else, then we fight our way out?”
“Yeah, you are right, Kay.
Maybe you should take her with you while we buy time.
But the gate is locked, and it’s an automatic gate.”
“But that doesn’t mean you can’t climb the fence, right?”
“The fence will be heavily guarded — either electricity or something like that.”
“Then you guys should hide somewhere around the house.
Now go.
Take Maria with you.”
Kay nodded immediately.
He moved toward Maria and gestured for her to follow.
Carefully, they made their way to the back exit of the bus.
One of the crew members opened it slightly, peeking outside first before signaling that the path was clear.
Kay stepped down first, then helped Maria down.
Staying low, they moved along the side of the bus, using it as cover.
From there, they slipped into the shadows near the edge of the compound, keeping close to walls and avoiding open spaces.
Kay took Maria somewhere around the house that was blind to the CCTV.
They moved slowly, checking corners before advancing, until they found a spot partially hidden by overgrown bushes and a section of the wall that cameras didn’t cover.
Immediately after he and Maria left to hide, several cars rushed forward with guys.
The sound of engines filled the compound as headlights flooded the area.
Tires screeched slightly as the vehicles came to a stop.
The first door opened, and the guards rushed to open the second car.
Celine stepped out, and Luke followed closely behind her.
“Come out.
Bring that guy out.” And Wax and the remaining crew came out.
One by one, they stepped off the bus, hands loose but ready, eyes locked on the approaching guards.
Celine asked, “Where is Maria?”
“Well, she’s missing, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Wax said.
“Get them,” Celine ordered, and the guards rushed forward, trying to pin the crew down.
They spread out quickly, attempting to surround Wax and his men.
But they underestimated their willpower and manpower.
Wax and the crew moved swiftly like shadows, fighting.
One ducked a punch and countered.
Another twisted an arm and shoved a guard aside.
When Celine saw that this was getting out of hand, she ordered, “Use weapons.” But before she could finish, one of Wax’s crew had already grabbed Luke and used him as a shield.
He pulled Luke back firmly, positioning him between himself and the guards.
When the guards got their guns, they couldn’t shoot because Luke was there.
Celine stepped back behind the guards, her eyes fixed on Luke, her thoughts racing as she weighed her options.
Meanwhile, Mr.
Thompson had ordered some men to come and back up Wax’s crew but they haven’t arrived.
She watched the situation unfold, her jaw tightening slightly.
Should she kill Luke or pull back?
Killing Luke wouldn’t be a big deal.
Still, she would need him in the future.
So she told the men, “Keep guard against them.” And she told Luke, “Luke, I’m coming.
They won’t kill you.
My guard is here.” Then she turned and entered one of the cars with three guards behind her.
Luke, for the first time, was scared.
*Did his mother just abandon him?
She didn’t fight?*
Celine shook her head at the thought.
They won’t escape.
Let me just give them a little control.
So she told the men, “Drop your guns.
And you guys should free Luke.”
Wax said clearly, “You think we are fools?
Just order the gate to be open, and when we are outside the gate, we will leave Luke to you.”
Celine breathed heavily and said, “Alright, alright.
Open the gate.” She screamed, and the gate shook and started opening automatically.
Then Wax ordered one of his crew to enter the car and drive, and the remaining ones stayed at the back of the car, still holding Luke.
They moved carefully, step by step, not breaking formation.
Meanwhile, Maria and Kay were already near the gate, hiding somewhere around the bushes.
They stayed low, watching everything unfold, waiting for the exact moment.
So Wax and a crew member entered together with Luke and drove out of the gate.
The car rolled forward, passing through the now-open gate.
Then they pushed Luke out of the car, and Maria and Kay quickly entered, and they started driving off at speed.
But Celine wouldn’t give up easily.
She had ordered some guys to ambush them on the road.
She rushed out and held Luke.
“Oh my baby, what happened to you?
Hope you are fine.”
“Yes, Mom, but they are gone.”
“They won’t get away.
Do they think I will let them off easily for humiliating me like that?”