003 -

In the room near the kitchen, Carina is busy preparing for her departure. But then, a commotion at the backyard distracts her. It is so noisy with dogs’ barking.

She goes to the window, and sees Thomas limping into the woods, with several guards following him by taking their dogs.

“Oh, God! Thomas!”

She rushes getting out of the room, but accidentally bumps into Laura.

“I need you to know that starting tomorrow, you no longer work for us,” Laura informs with a glare.

“I’ve packed my stuff,” says Carina. “But please excuse me! There’s something I need to do.”

Laura grabs Carina’s hand before she leaves. “It’s a good thing you’ve prepared for your departure. Now leave this house right away.”

“But…”

“Now!” Laura scolds. “Or I’ll call the guards to kick you out of this house!”

Carina clenches her hands tightly, with an urge to punch the annoying lady’s face. But she holds it in and drags her belongings so she can immediately do something to help Thomas.

Soon after she gets out of the house, she tries to make a phone call, intending to inform her friends about Thomas’ situation.

But…

Dar! Dar, dar!!!

She is startled by the loud sound of gunshots which seems to come from the woods behind the Gregory residence.

It also shocks Donovan Gregory who is still in his room. He is fumed like a steaming hot pot, with a face burning red with rage.

He immediately makes a call while grumbling. “Those fucking idiots! Which part of my words they don’t understand?”

[Sir!]

“What’s with the gunshots? Didn’t I tell you to drive him away from here before killing that scum?”

[That’s not us, but him]

“What?”

[He has a gun and has killed two of our dogs]

Donovan looks stupid for a moment, before his face turns red again, having difficulty breathing because of irritation.

“A gun? Where did he get it?”

As someone who is always in contact with criminals, he always makes sure his house is safe with strict guards and supervision.

Especially for this birthday event, they’ve conducted a strict inspection to everyone visiting the house.

Except…

“Carina?”

His suspicions now focus on the nurse. He rushes out of the room looking for Carina. But too sad, the nurse is no longer there anymore.

“I just kicked her out a while ago! Why?” asks Laura flat with an innocent act.

“Why?!!” Donovan snaps, scolding with a tone stifled inside.

Laura is petrified. She looks so clueless why Donovan is so angry because of such a trivial matter.

However, she still has the audacity to sulk. “We’ve kicked that countryside puppy. I believe we are no longer…”

Plak!

Donovan slaps her hard in front of the crowds. That 38 year-old lady is staggered after the slap. There's even a small blood on the corner of her lips.

“Who gave you the authority to expel her?” Donovan shouts, he is so angry that his saliva coming out like exploding magma while shouting at her. “I am the one who rules in this house. No decision is made without my knowledge, especially while I'm here!”

Joaquin Underwood and Joshua Morris appear, distracting Donovan. Not wanting to make a bigger fuss, the old man walks toward the kitchen, and begins to be hectic giving orders to his men at the backyard.

“What was that?” Joshua Morris mumbles.

Joaquin comes closer to Joshua. He observes his surroundings for a moment before whispering to him. “Like I said, Donovan only considers Sylvia as his family. He didn't even trust his son-in-law, not even me and my wife. That means, all his assets will go to your-soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Look! This engagement would never have happened if it weren't for me. I hope you don't break your promise.”

“You will have my words,” says Joshua composedly.

“No! I need the house you promised now. I can’t stay here for too long,” utters Joaquin impatiently with a whispering voice.

Joshua solemnly gives him a nod.

***

In the woods, the guards have unleashed their angry dogs to chase Thomas. These dogs look so mad with saliva wetting their lower jaws.

With legs still so weak, Thomas tries his best to get away. It can’t be counted how many times he has stumbled so far.

When a dog comes closer…

Growl!

Bang, bang!

Kaiiing!!! The dog squeals with two bullets logged in its chest.

Indeed, there's a handgun in Thomas' right hand, and a metal stick in his left.

As his survival instinct raises to its peak, he notices some movements in several locations behind the thick bushes and trees, and starts shooting without taking aim.

After spewing everything, he is busy reloading the gun with a new magazine. It isn’t clear where he got them.

Several dogs come to him from three different locations. While he is busy shooting three dogs, the fourth one is already so close from the left, opening its jaw wet with saliva.

Growl!!!

Thomas swings his metal stick as hard as he can. It lands right at the dog’s head, but Thomas loses his balance because of the swing.

He falls, and slides on the sloping hillside, keeps going down until he hears the sound of the river below.

There he sees the edge of a cliff. In panic, he tries to stop the slide, but is unable to do much. And then…

Sraaak!

He falls, but still manages to hold onto the edge of the cliff with his left hand.

There’s a river about 20 meters below, and it looks quite deep. He is sure he can survive the fall. But he doubts if he can use his legs to swim.

“What now?”

He tries his best to climb. Unfortunately, right before he manages to hold the edge of the cliff with his right hand…

Grrr!!!

That right hand is gnawed by a dog. It catches Thomas by surprise.

“Aaarrgh! Fuck!!!”

He is in so much pain, but he has no choice but to endure the crazy dog’s bite.