The Survivor of the 27

Chapter twenty three

  After all the different interviews and the doctors patching me up, we were finally able to leave the place and head back to our house. I knew Hassan wasn't going to strike again. Not tonight at least.

  By the time we had gotten home, it was 11:30 at night. We walked in and everyone was standing there, waiting for us. Addison rushes over to John and hugs him. Tom, Jess, and Monica both go to Sharon and Felix. I go to head to my room, but Addison stops me.

  "Mace, wait," she demands.

  Not even bothering to turn around I ask her what she wants. I needed to think this all over. I needed to find the best strategy.

  "Just, come be with us," she says.

  "I can't. I have work I need to get done."

  I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around to face Addison. I can feel tears start to well up in my eyes. I look down to my hands which are covered in blood.

  "I need to get work done. People are dead and I need to fix that," I tell her. I turn around and make my way up to my room. I know that they have questions, like why am I putting this on myself? Or why does it matter so much? Or why do I look like shit?

  My question is, what did Hassan put in me that he can just shock me by the push of a button? How is it that he wants me? He never let me die. I've come close to death multiple times, but I've never died. He wants me, but I don't know why. Not yet at least.

  Once I'm in my room, I close the door and pull out my phone. I don't have a lot of options here. Even if I were to make a team to protect my family, he has the entire Iran government on his side.

  I dial the number that he had used to call me only hours before. I listen to the dial, waiting for someone to pick up and answer. Eventually, he does.

  "Have you made up your mind now?" Hassan asks. I take a deep breath and sigh.

  "Yes. I will be working for you sir. I only ask that you give me one more day with my family so I can say goodbye." I listen to him think for a moment before he confirms that that would be ok.

  "Fine. I will have someone pick you up on Saturday one p.m. sharp."

  "Thank you sir." I hang up and throw my phone on the bed. I go to my dresser and open up the top drawer. I push the bra's and underwear to the side and grab my pack of cigarettes. I pull one out and light it.

  I take a puff and then let out the smoke. I grab some clothes and hop into the shower. I needed to get all the blood off of me.

  Once I get into the shower I take what I presume to be the last hot shower I will ever take. It takes me about ten minutes to get all the blood off of me. Once it's all off I hop out of the shower and get dressed.

  By this point, the cigarette is done. I open up my window and climb out to the roof. There I take out another cigarette and light it. I lay there for a while, trying to think of the best way to spend my last day. Maybe the finest bourbon and the best sagar known to mankind.

  But I suppose that would be selfish of me. "This fucking sucks," I sigh. I tap the cigarette and place it down next to me. I place my hands behind my head and lay down with my legs crossed.

  I'll take my family out. I'll take them out for a hike, then I'll take them shopping and we'll end with a nice steak dinner. This could be the last time that I could ever see them again. I have to make it count.

  It's a shame really. I was just starting to like my life. I was starting to like Addison and John. I've always had a mutual relationship with Felix, so I will miss him. But I think I'll miss Tom the most. Even Gael. When I saw him at the party, I was reminded of how much I loved him. Everything about him. His smile, the way he wore his fathers hat. Those damn eyes.