Chapter 2- Promises
November 22nd, 1982
Julie lay on the sofa in the living room, sipping from a yellow mug of steaming tea. She rubbed her swollen belly and leaned back, resting her head against a soft cushion. Her boys, Samuel, and Isaac where at school and her husband, Charlie was doing paperwork in his study, so the house was peaceful and calm.
Julie picked up the un-opened AVL newspaper, lying on the coffee table. She looked at the front page and almost had a heart attack when she saw a tall, skinny, black-haired figure on the front page. He had his hands clasped around the bars of a cell door, his eyes were bright red and shining with anger and his pale lips were pressed into a fine line.
The headline read:
Murderous master criminal escapes from prison, 24 found dead at the scene!
Julie gulped and scanned the article below, pausing every few seconds to take it all in.
Last Friday, a male, middle-aged, tall, skinny, master criminal, only known as Drisk, escaped from the AVL prison. This man has been known for his many heists, stealing precious processions such as the Queen's throne in 1974 and a box of priceless gems in 1978.
He was arrested in 1979 and spent four years behind bars, spending his time beating up other inmates and attempting to escape by trying to kill guards and agents. Last Friday, one of his escape attempts finally worked.
He was let out for visiting hours, but instead of following the other inmates, he beat up the young man, guarding his cell, stealing his keys, gun, and walkie talkie. Other guards and agents arrived at the scene attempting to take him down, but he shot them and escaped through a large vent in the ceiling.
He wrote director, Syral Ramsbottom, a letter on Saturday, telling him that he swears revenge for locking him away. He's threatened to kill each and every agent in the AVL and then kidnap their children, to use for his wicked schemes.
We are yet to find where he's hiding, so watch your back agents and keep your children safe.
Julie instantly stood up and walked down the hall to her husband's study.
"Charlie!" Julie yelled, banging on the door, hoping he would hear her, over Uptown Girl on his radio.
The music stopped and the door burst open, just dodging Julie's face.
"What is it, Julie? Has your water broken? Have you been sick? Are you having another craving? Do I need to call an ambulance?!" Charlie cried, standing in the doorway.
"Oh Charlie, your so sweet but no, it's nothing like that. It's something really scary, on the front page." Julie said, holding up the newspaper.
Charlie gently took it from his wife's hands and scanned the front page, his eyes widening with every word.
"Oh my goodness." He whispered.
"I'm scared, Charlie. He wants to kill agents and kidnap their kids, what if he kills us and takes Samuel and Isaac? What if he takes our little girl when they're born? We've already lost a child, Pauline when she was only a baby! I don't want to lose any more!" Julie shrieked, frantically.
"Don't be scared. I won't let anything happen to us or our children, I promise." Charlie said, pulling Julie into a hug, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. Little did Charlie know that wouldn't get to keep that promise.
It wasn't long until Christmas invaded the Wilde household, the large tree was decorated, tinsel was draped over the sofas and chairs and presents hung in stockings on the fireplace. As they lived in a Chateau, they would host many parties at that time of year, as their house was big enough for over twenty people.
Eleven-year-old, Samuel loved helping his parents decorate the house and make the Christmas cake, eating the marzipan was his favorite part. He normally asked for books and lego for Christmas but this year, he had asked for The Nintendo Entertainment System, the new video game console.
Isaac, Samuel's seven and a half-year-old brother, loved the music, his school nativity play, presents and was mesmerized Christmas lights, and the idea of Santa. His little world always lit up at this time of year and Charlie and Julie found it adorable. He had asked for Playmobile figures and a toy gun.
Despite, the joy that Christmas brought their children, Julie and Charlie, couldn't stop worrying about Drisk's threat.
"I just can't stop thinking about the fact that he kidnaps kids and uses them for his schemes! Those poor children won't have a proper childhood, they won't be loved, they won't be allowed to play, read or watch TV. What if it happens to our children?" Julie whispered to Charlie one night, as they where lying in bed.
"I've promised you, I won't let him hurt any of our children." Charlie said, kissing her on the head.
Charlie, put his hand on Julie's stomach and felt his little girl kick.
"Promise?" Julie muttered, sleepily.
"Cross my heart." Charlie whispered, hugging his wife close.
February 8th 1983-
"We're home!" Called Charlie as he and Julie walked through the Chateau door, with their new baby girl.
Samuel and Isaac ran down the hall, followed by their babysitter, who looked exhausted.
"Mummy, daddy!" Cried Isaac, leaping into his dad's arms.
"Hey, guys." Samuel said, calmly.
"Boys, there's someone I'd like you to meet," Julie said, extending her arms to reveal the baby girl she had in them, "this is your sister, Lucianne Angel Isabelle Wilde."
The boys stared at their sister, with warm smiles.
"Hello, Lucianne, I'm your brother, Samuel."
"Hi, I'm your brother Isaac." Isaac joined in.
Julie and Charlie smiled at each other, what a beautiful memory. But the dread of Drisk still stuck in their heads and created a dark cloud over their happy faces.
Months passed and the AVL began to experience some problems in it's British branch, meaning that Julie and Charlie needed to transfer over to it, in order to help keep it afloat. In order to do that, the family had to move to a mansion in London.
The Victorian mansion was large and had a huge garden, with enough space for the kids to play. It had high ceilings with beautiful chandeliers hanging from them. The children where given their own bedrooms, each one tailored to their personality, except for Lucianne who didn't have one yet.
They hoped that the mansion would be a good place to hide from Drisk, but it seemed doubtful, as Drisk's army and spies where very unpredictable.