NARROW ESCAPE

ANTONIO'S MANSION

Kring.......    Kring.......

" Agnes ....please get the door", Lizzy called from the kitchen.

" Why should it be me? I am very busy at the moment. Can't you get it yourself or ask Gina to do so and stop bordering me", Agnes cried angrily from the hall.

" Silly head.....Can't you see am busy at the kitchen and Gina is attending to Mr. Antonio at his library? By the way what are you so busy with that you can't get the door...."

" Taking care of Mrs. Natasha's cat. It hasn't eaten since morning and I don't want it to starve to death...."

" Gosh....Agnes, I will so kill you before the cat if I get there....", Lizzy shouted angrily.

Agnes jolted,frightened by Lizzy's threat and bolted to the door. 

" Who is at the door, Agnes...?", asked Gina, descending from the stairs.

" Is Mr. George.... "

" Oh, let him in. Mr. Antonio had been expecting him..." said Gina, approaching them at the hall.

Agnes led him to the hall and returned back to her work. 

" Hey...Lola(cat), am back for you. But don't be mad at Lizzy, she is always like that....Let's go out before she starts nagging again ...."

Gina and George starred at her puzzled as she dashed out of the hall with the cat in his arms.

" Uhm....Mr. George, this way please....", Gina called, giggling sheepishly.

" Oh...yeah, sorry for that"

They both left to the library.

************

HOSPITAL

Desmond strolled through the hospital and paused in front of Gisel's ward. He stood there for a moment, gazing nervously at the door.

" I wish I told you this earlier before now but as they say is better late than never.... "

He sighed and slowly opened the door, peeping through before gliding over to her bed. He stood beside the bed, glancing down at her blank face.

" I'm here....Gisel. I miss that smile that you always put on every time  either in good time or bad time. I wish you could smile for me again....Gisel( tears roll down his eyes).

It took me so long to realize this, I....Love ...You,Gisel. Please wake up,I can't stay any longer without you by my side..."

He caressed her face and kissed her on the forehead. Just then, he felt a strong aura emitting from the flowers and the teddy bear.

" (coughs), gosh....who brought these flowers and teddy bear? Its aura alone is strong enough to chock a person to death. Goodness, for how long had this been here...."

Desmond quickly picked them up, covering his nose and dashed out of the ward with it. 

" Doctor....", he called ,approaching a doctor by the counter.

" How may I help you, gentleman..... "

" Please,I want to ask if you know the person who dropped these items in ward, 23...? its aura is too strong for a patient...."

" No....sir but don't worry I will let them dispose it as soon as possible....", he quickly called to the security man at the door.

Josh, kindly take these things and dispose it off immediately. Make sure no one comes in contact with it.... "

" Okay....sir", the man took the things from Desmond and dashed out.

" thank you so much sir. And please, can you kindly check on the patient in that ward for me. I feel she had inhaled it for a while now..."

" Okay....let's go now.... "

***************

Natasha drove away to the outskirt of the town and pulled over in front of a dark forest. She alighted, glancing around carefully to make sure she wasn't being followed or seen.

After she was sure no one was around, she quickly sped off into the forest. She suddenly paused in front of a huge mansion which looks like an ancient palace.

" Mum....I finally came to visit...", she uttered with a smile and strolled into the house.

" Are you done with the task I gave you...?", a voice echoed from the hall.

" Almost , mum....", she answered approaching the voice.

" Then why are you here .....?"

" I wanted to see you that is why I came... "

" That is not necessary for now. Go and finish your task. And secondly, find a way to get  Desmond out of your way. He is being an hindrance to your plot against Gisel, just look at this with your own eyes......"

She hit a stone tablet beside her and suddenly a screen showing the hospital appeared. 

Natasha glared furiously at the screen after witnessing what Desmond did.

" Is time to get rid of you, Desmond...."

She turned angrily and left.

************

HOSPITAL

It was almost 11:00pm. Desmond starred at Gisel and gave a faint smile.

" I have to go now, Gisel but I promise to come visit early after school...."

He glanced at her and finally left the hospital, depressed.

Desmond's house was 6 kilometres away from the hospital and the street was quiet a lonely one.

He strolled through the street lost in thoughts.

" Help...., Someone.... please... ", a voice called from the bush along the path.

Desmond jolted, glancing around.

" Who is there? where are you... ?", he queried, rushing towards the voice.

"I'm here....please help me...."

He was about to enter the bushes when a car stopped beside him and rolled down its glass.

" Desmond...? , what are you doing here at this odd hour...", a man in the car asked.

" Uncle Bernard...?, how did you get here? Mum said you travelled out of the country... "

" Yes I did but I just came back. Come on, let me drop you at home."

" Um....Uncle, I heard someone calling for help, let's try and find her maybe she might be in danger..."

" There is no one here, Desmond, it might be your mind playing tricks on you, come on let's go home.."

" um...okay"

He glanced around for the last time to make sure his ears where not deceiving him but heard  nothing. He sighed and hopped onto the car and they drove off.

Just then, Natasha appeared from the bush and stood in the middle of the road, starring behind them  while their vehicle disappeared in the distance.

" You had a narrow escape this time, Desmond. The next time won't be so lucky for you. You better stay out of my way...", she muttered and disappeared.

************

DESMOND'S HOUSE

In no time, the car pulled over in front of Desmond's house. He alighted and trod towards the door, absent mindedly. He suddenly paused when he realized his uncle was not coming.

" Ain't you coming in, uncle. I'm sure mum will be glad to see you ", he exclaimed.

" No dear, I have to rush off now. I'll come back and visit tomorrow... Hurry and go in,it's late"

" Okay...bye and thanks for the ride.."

He dashed off into the house, cheerfully.

" I'm glad I came just on time, Desmond.", he muttered and drove off.