452: [Bonus chapter] Take the wheel

[Bonus chapter] Take the wheel

"Can't you drive faster?" Heaven hissed, glaring at the driver from the backseat. "Pull over. Let me drive."0

Although she knew they were already driving at a high speed, Heaven still felt they weren't fast enough. Every second felt like hell, and this ride just emphasized how long had it been since Sebastian was abducted. From her experience, Sebastian had surely regained consciousness by now. 

She couldn't imagine the fear Sebastian was in at this moment. 

She had seen captured children in the past; some were for human trafficking and others were for other cruel fates. If there was one thing she could remember on those children's faces, that was the helplessness, confusion, and lack of life in their eyes. 

"We'll get there." Dominic placed his hand on top of her hand, squeezing it mildly. "Everyone is already on their way there. Basti will be fine."

Heaven assessed her husband's face, only to see the suppressed impatience shining beneath his eyes. Unlike her, who was verbal in her impatience, Dominic… was barely holding himself back. His tightening grip on her hand was proof those words were for him as well. 

"He'll be fine…" She nodded, holding his grip as she calmed herself down. "For sure, right?"

"Mhm." Dominic gulped, closing his eyes as he took a breath. 

Axel, who was in the front passenger seat, sighed. He glanced over his shoulder, only to see Dominic take a deep breath while closing his eyes. However, when Dominic opened his eyes, he looked at the driver for a moment. 

"Axel, take the wheel," ordered Dominic, making Axel raise his brows and point to himself. 

Dominic moved his eyes to him. "Yes. My wife is right. He's too slow. Take the wheel."

"Bro…"

"That's alright with you?" Dominic ignored Axel as he faced his wife. "The baby will be okay?"

Heaven pressed her lips into a thin line and smiled subtly, nodding. "Yes. The baby also wants to rescue Basti. I want to do it myself, but I trust Axel."

"Then put on your seatbelt."

"Hey, are you seriously…" Axel's breath hitched when the couple cast him a look that could kill. "... well, *ahem* I want to save Basti as well. But secure your seatbelts. It'll be a rough ride."

And just like that, the driver pulled over as Axel replaced him. The moment Axel sat down in the driver's seat, he didn't even wait for the driver to go to the front passenger seat, speeding away, and leaving the driver behind.

******

Meanwhile...

"Ugh..." Sebastian winced in pain. His entire body ached in a way he never felt before. His head was throbbing, blinking to remain unconscious. He had been in and out of consciousness, but this time, he wanted to stay awake. 

At this point, Sebastian already knew he was in danger. He didn't know why, but he knew some guys took him to a place he didn't know. He turned his head, crawling up to the corner until his back rested against the wall. 

"Ouch..." he winced, teeth clenched, eyes on his foot. 

There were deep scratches on his leg, but aside from those, he could still see his feet intact. His shoulder, however, hurt so much. He placed his hand on his shoulder, almost crying in pain just as he touched it. Heat coated his eyes, holding back his tears. 

"Daddy..." he whimpered, catching another figure near him. 

When Sebastian turned his head, his eyes landed on another unconscious boy. Despite the dimness of the cramped room he was in, he immediately recognized Riley. 

"Riley," he called quietly. "Riley."

"Ugh... ahh!" Riley squealed at the pain that struck him as soon as he regained consciousness.

"Shh!!!" Sebastian panicked, turning his head to the door in horror. 

"Ouch..." Riley whimpered, curling into a ball in pain. However, even with that, he felt pain until he was crying. "Mommy... Daddy..."

"Riley..." Sebastian's breath hitched, watching his friend weep until his cry faded. 

"It hurts..." Fear laced Riley's voice, catching a figure from his blurry vision. "Basti..."

Seeing that he wasn't alone, Riley somehow found the courage to wipe his tears. His round glasses were broken already and he couldn't see well with poor eyesight. However, he knew it was his friend.

"Basti, my body hurts so much," he confessed, unable to stop his tears from streaming down his bloodstained face. "Help me."

"I can't." Sebastian glanced at his shoulder and then at his leg. "I can't move. Be quiet, Riley. The people who took us might come here."

Riley bit his lower lip until he was almost chewing it. "I'm scared and my body hurts so much. I think I broke my leg."

'Me too.'Sebastian pressed his lips into a thin line, forcing himself to keep a strong front, but to no avail. He could only stare at his friend and endure the biting pain in some parts of his body. 

"Just be quiet," he repeated. "And don't move too much, okay? I'll find a way to get us out of here."

"But how?" 

"I... don't know." 

"Are we going to die here, Basti?"

Sebastian held his breath once again as his heart clenched. The sense of dread embracing him crawled its revolting hands to his heart, making him nauseous. 

Would they die here?

That question was the first thought that crossed the little master's mind when he regained his consciousness for the first time. After all, the pain that welcomed him then brought unimaginable pain that made him pass out. 

"No." He shook his head mildly, breathing out a deep exhale as he kept his heart still. "We will not die here."

"Are you sure?" Riley, who was fear-stricken, couldn't help but doubt him. 

"Mhm. I am super sure." Sebastian cleared his throat, clenching his chest as if that would help him calm down. "I'm sure my dad is already on his way to rescue us. Besides, my mom is a superhero. She saves the world, so she will save me too!"

Riley whimpered, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Your mom is a superhero?"

"Mhm! That's a secret, so don't tell anyone."

"She will save us?"

"Yes!" This time, Sebastian's tone was more than certain. "So, save your energy and endure the pain. Once I rest enough, I'll help you, okay?"

Riley didn't answer as he stared at Sebastian. Seeing how the latter's eyes shone even in this darkness brought courage to his heart. 

"Okay," he nodded mildly, relaxing his body on the dirty and dusty floor. "Basti's mom is a superhero... she'll save us."

Sebastian kept quiet, listening to Riley's mumbling as if that would make him less fearful. However, even with that, the fear remained. Until they were in this place, listening to the rat's squeaks, they wouldn't feel safe. Still, they hold on to the little hope that someone would come and rescue them. 

'Mommy…' Sebastian closed his eyes as he prayed in his heart. 'Daddy… I'm scared. Please come. I'll be good from now on, I promise.'

pqdm.com