CHAPTER 81

Elizabeth felt a shiver run down her spine, freezing her movements in the face of the dread that enveloped her. Her body was tense, every muscle contracted by the overwhelming fear that gripped her. Tears of despair rolled down her face, silent witnesses to the anguish that consumed her.

She backed away slowly, as if each step took her further from safety, until her body met the cold wall, becoming her only barrier against the approaching terror. Despair flooded her mind, an overwhelming torrent that left her breathless.

Her legs, trembling with fear, seemed to have a life of their own, gripped by the terror that seized her. The screams that escaped her lips were shrill, echoing through the darkness, a desperate plea for help that was lost in the void.

She struggled with all her might, a last desperate effort to free herself from the nightmare. The man, imposing and brutal, dominated her with his oppressive presence, his rough hands tearing at her blouse, ripping off the buttons in violent, invasive gestures.

The air was impregnated with the scent of fear, an acrid smell that filled her lungs and poisoned her hope. Elizabeth knew she was facing a battle for her very survival, a desperate struggle against the dark forces that threatened to consume her.

Elizabeth was petrified, fear paralyzed her body. Tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably, and she reeled backwards until she hit the wall.

Her legs were grabbed, and she screamed and struggled... she struggled against that big man, his weight on top of her, who screamed trying to escape the hands that groped her body, pulling at her blouse, ripping and tearing off her buttons.

Dread gripped her soul. She didn't know what was going to happen, but she believed in God and asked him.

"Save me and my son too. "

After the impact of the slap that echoed like thunder, Elizabeth felt her head spin, stars dancing before her eyes. Screams tore from her throat, a desperate sound that mingled with the muffled sound of her own terrified breathing.

The oppressive weight was lifted off her, but the terror still held her captive, as if her own emotions were keeping her chained to the ground. Disoriented, she managed to move only enough to crawl into a dark corner, her trembling body giving in to the panic that overwhelmed her.

Burning tears streamed down her face, a cascade of despair that soaked her skin. Her heart was pounding, a symphony of fear and pain that echoed in her ears, drowning out even the screams that continued to escape her lips.

The cold ground welcomed her into its merciless arms, enveloping her in an icy caress that contrasted with the suffocating heat of her agony. She cowered against the wall, as if she could hide from the horror that haunted her, but there was no safe place, only the oppressive darkness that enveloped her.

Every beat of her heart was a hammer of anguish, echoing in her chest like a relentless reminder of her own vulnerability. She felt broken, shattered by the brutality of the attack, her tears turning into sobs of pain and despair as she struggled against the invisible chains of terror.

Bill held Elizabeth by the shoulders, he had to bring her back, wherever she was. Fear transported her somewhere inside herself and Elizabeth could see nothing.

Bill held Elizabeth's trembling shoulders tightly, his expression conveying determination as he tried to bring her back to reality, whatever it was at that moment. Fear had a fierce grip on her heart, obscuring her vision and enveloping her in a fog of dread.

Meanwhile, Nathan was in a hand-to-hand battle with Charles Spurlok, his emotions boiling over in a fiery mixture of fury and despair. Each blow delivered was driven by a rage that burned inside him, an unshakeable determination to protect those he loved at any cost.

As the screams and sounds of fighting echoed around the room, Elizabeth struggled to emerge from the abyss of her own fear, Bill's hands firmly on her shoulders, offering an anchorage in the midst of the storm that was engulfing her.

As soon as Charles fell unconscious, Nathan ran to his wife, who was still not responding to Bill.

She had a trickle of blood running down the corner of her mouth and her blouse was torn. Nathan removed her blouse from under the twill and put it on her.

- Throw your weapons away or I'll shoot you in the head.

Charles Spurlok stood up slowly, his figure now imposing and menacing, a sinister shadow looming over them. The icy glint of his gun reflected the fear in his targets' eyes, heralding imminent danger.

Bill and Nathan exchanged worried glances, recognizing the imminent danger ahead. Without hesitation, they threw their weapons away, aware that violence would only fuel the already burning fire of the situation.

With quick, silent movements, the two men moved away, seeking shelter in the opposite corner of the room. Each step was taken with caution, their hearts beating in a frantic rhythm of anticipation and fear for what was to come.

Charles fixed his cold eyes on Elizabeth, watching her with a sinister expression. Realizing that she was paralyzed with fear, a cruel smile curved his lips as he uttered his macabre threats. He promised that, after dealing with Nathan and Bill, he would return to her to finish what he had started. The tone of his voice echoed in the room, sending shivers down Elizabeth's spine, as she found herself trapped in a terrible nightmare from which she couldn't wake up.

The tense moment reached its climax when Charles pointed the gun in their direction. Nathan and Bill exchanged determined glances, ready to act, but before they could react, a bang ripped through the air, echoing in the room. Charles fell lifeless to the floor at Nathan's feet. The sound of the gun being fired reverberated in everyone's ears as Nathan looked up to find Elizabeth standing there, holding a shaking gun in her trembling hands. Shock was mixed with relief and gratitude, but also with a dose of worry about what this might mean for Elizabeth.

- I promised little Jack that I would finish him off. That's because he messed with my children and my husband, and the man who is a father to me.

Bill looked sideways at Nathan:

- Where did she find that gun?

But Elizabeth smiled and said:

- Calm down, guys. The gun was in my leg. Since the last incident, I carry it with me all the time, when I'm not lying with my husband. Elizabeth explained with a nervous smile.

- It's a good thing you don't take that gun to our bed, love. Nathan joked, trying to ease the tension.

- It's too much excitement, Nathan... we could have an accident. But well... it would be like dying of love. Elizabeth replied, pausing dramatically before letting out a giggle.

Nathan smiled and took his wife in his arms, feeling a mixture of relief and admiration for her courage.

Bill, meanwhile, picked up Charles' body and put it on his horse. Watching Elizabeth, he couldn't help but admire her determination. "That teacher really is mad," he thought, "but she would do anything to defend her children and her husband. And that's worthy of admiration."