He already made a decision. And he was adamant to stick with it. Death’s grip had no power over him.
“Tell me, or else I’m gonna tear you and your slut girl into pieces.”
Slut? How dare you! Fury boiled in Anton’s blood. “Be careful with your mouth, you fat cunt!”
Java stepped back slightly, frightened to see him turned red in wrath.
“What would you do now? You’re bound and helpless. No one can help you. She’s not here, and she’ll be gone forever when I find the cave she’s hiding in.”
“Don’t you dare lay your hands on her. I have many tentacles, Java. I could easily kill you in this instance.”
“Oh, really? What about if I cut one off?”
He whipped his left leg repeatedly to the point where Anton could no longer bear the pain in silence. He screamed in an agonizing cry, calling Tasia’s name for help. He kept on struggling, and at one point the rusty plumbing pipe broke where he was tied on.
Java fell over by the pipe’s impact. It hit his right thigh, pushing him away.
Realizing luck was on his side for the first time, he stood up in relief. A shadow in the drainage caught his attention. Papa? He thought as he saw his father’s reflection in the dirty water.
It must have been his own hallucination created by his initial insensibility during the time he was unconscious.
It as it gave him the strength to face Java.
“I told you I have many tentacles. Bad grass is hard to die. Say your last prayer.”
No one was left in the underground, except Anton alone.
It was now Java’s turn to taste the dose of his own medicine.
Chapter Nine
Sitting by the window, Tasia’s mother, Tonya, was thinking about her daughter. She was regretful of gambling their house for the sake of her entertainment. Tasia had not come back home for over a year now. She spent Christmas alone. No gifts. No Christmas trees. Just a simple meal.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Someone was outside the entrance door.
“Who’s that?” Tonya yelled.
No one answered. Instead, the knock kept on going, louder and louder.
For goodness’ sake. Who’s that? “I’ll be right there. Hang on minute….”
As she opened the door, a slim black woman stood before her with a baby girl clutched in her arm. She did not recognize her. She had changed so much. That little girl she had once taken care of was now a full grown woman.
“Tasia? Is that you?” Tears welled up in Tonya’s eyes. Disbelief clouded her mind.
“Mama?” Tasia began to cry.
“It’s you. Thank goodness, you’re alive. Oh, my daughter…”
Lifting her arms up, Tonya let them rest on her daughter’s shoulders as she pulled her in closer, savoring the moment. Every second of it was more precious than diamonds. It was a gold that can never be purchased, its value beyond a price one could afford.
The baby smiled at her grandmother sweetly, entertained by her reaction.
“Is that my granddaughter, Tasia?”
“Yes, Mama. Her name is Alexis.”
“Oh, sweet heaven. She’s beautiful!”
“Like mother, like daughter.” She laughed.
“Where’s your husband?”
“Ummm… Let’s talk about that inside Mama. I don’t think this is a good place for that topic.”
“Yes, of course. Sorry, darling. Come on in.” Tonya shut the door.
****
It had been days since Tasia had arrived back in Chicago. Since then, she had been praying that her mother would not ask about Alexis’ father. She thought Anton was already dead, and she did not want to keep her hope up, afraid to be hurt again.
Since he was gone, Alexis had been her source of strength. She was the reason she found the courage to visit her mother again. Without her child, she would have gone insane by now.
“Alright, Alexis, mommy and grandma will take you to the park. You like that, don’t yah?”
Alexis giggled, exposing her toothless gums.
“Mama…”
“Yes, Tasia?”
“Are you ready? I’m gonna take Alexis to the car, alright?”
“Yes, darling. Just make sure you put her in the car-seat. She’s not allowed in the front passenger seat.”
“Cool. Thanks!” Tasia made her way down the stairs to the carport where the car was parked.
Driving to the park, Anton came to her remembrance as she noticed Alexis was sleeping. She really looks like her dad when she’s asleep.
As they came to stop at the intersection, Tonya noticed her agitated face. “Is there something bothering you?”
“Ha? Ah, no… I’m alright, Mama. I’m just thinking of what we should feed Alexis when she wakes up.” She lied.