[DeppAngel]

CH-16 Abduction

Three days later…

Liliana put on her jacket and grabbed her keys. She grabbed a green apple on her way out.
“Where are you going at this time?” asked Sully, presumptuously.
Liliana slightly turned around and said in a very firm voice,
“That is none of your business.”
Sully didn’t object any more. Criss came to the living room quickly at the sound of the door shutting. He seemed disconcerted.
“Did she just go out?” Criss asked.
Sully just nodded, and took a sip of his cup of cognac.

When Liliana was locking the door, she heard a noise. She turned around and saw the neighbor that lives right in front of them coming out as well. It was a blond-haired woman in her late 20’s or early 30’s. The woman noticed Liliana and greeted her with a big smile,
“Oh, hello, neighbor.” The woman said.
Liliana was a little thrown off and said,
“Hello. You speak English?”
“Yes, but why you look so surprised about it?” the woman replied.
“Well, we haven’t really met any people that speak English here in Italy in quite some time.” Liliana commented while putting her keys in her purse.
“Well you probably need to start going out more often, because it is full of tourists out there, mostly American, and specially here in Sicily.” The woman insisted.
That last thing she said really got to Liliana. She realized how she had been isolated from the whole world for two full years. Criss didn’t allow her to socialize with anybody to avoid the risk of being caught. But then she thought,
“Well, what harm can it possibly do to say ‘hello’ to my neighbor?
The woman noticed that Liliana was sort of spacing out.
“Hey, are you alright? Did I say something wrong?”
Liliana snapped out of it and replied,
“Oh, um, yes, I was just thinking…about something…”
The woman noticed a look of sadness on Liliana’s face, and said,
“Do you want to go buy an ice-cream with me?”
“Huh?” Liliana uttered a little surprised.
“If you’re not busy, that is. Were you going somewhere?” the woman asked.
“Not really. I just wanted to get out and take a walk for a little bit.”
“Do you mind if I go with you?” the woman said while she looked at Liliana.
“Um, no, it’s fine with me.”
“Oh my God, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Holly; Holly Madison,” she said as she stretched her hand in the air. Liliana willingly responded by shaking her hand, and by saying, “I’m. Camille.
“Alright, I’m going to show you this place where they sell really good ice-cream,” the woman said happily as they went down the stairs.

They walked out of the building. Liliana breathed the fresh air and thought,
“Man, I really needed to go out, after being stuck in there with that jerk for so long. Who does he think he is?” she thought.
The woman was quite talkative and asked a lot of questions, while Liliana was quieter and only gave short answers most of the time. Of course, she had to change some facts so her identity wouldn’t be revealed,
“So who are you staying with, camie? Oh, I’m sorry, is it ok with you if I call you that?”
“Oh, yes, it’s fine. I’m staying with my brother and my cousin.”
“Oh. Is your brother the guy with blue eyes and has a goatee?” Holly said.
“Oh, no. That’s my cousin.” Liliana replied.

They finally arrived at an ice-cream stand in a street full of passers-by and stands selling all kinds of stuff, such as food, souvenirs, and so. Liliana and Holly were having a great time together. They walked together, laughed together and ate ice-cream together. It was amazing at how good friends they had become in just an hour. Liliana looked at her watch and said,
“Oh, my, it’s late. I gotta go home.”
“Why? Will they tell you something?” Holly asked.
“No, it’s that. I didn’t tell them where I was going and I don’t wanna worry them. Thank you very much, I had so much fun,” Liliana said as she was turning around to leave.
“No, wait! I’ walk you!” Holly insisted.

Back at the apartment, Criss waited on the couch for Liliana to show up. Sully, who was already sleeping in his room, woke up and came out to check on Criss.
“What’s up? She hasn’t come back yet?” Sully asked Criss while making his way to the living room.
“No, and I’m getting worried. What if the cops saw her and they already--“
“That’s impossible!” Sully interrupted, “You said yourself that she can protect her cover well enough by herself.”
“Yes, but…” Criss didn’t finish his sentence when Sully interrupted and said,
“OK, then let’s go look for her. I’ll go with you”
“And what if we don’t find her?” Criss asked worriedly.
“Oh I’m pretty sure she’s just fine. Now get up and let’s go.”
Criss got up from the couch and went to put his shoes and jacket on, while Sully went back to his room to get ready to go out as well.

Liliana and Holly got back to the apartment building. They had barely reached the front door, when Liliana stopped Holly and said,
“Wait, um…”
“What’s wrong?” Holly asked.
“No, nothing, it’s just that, I don’t think I wanna go back just yet. I think I’ll take on a little walk before I do so.”
“OK I’ll go with you…” Holly offered.
“No,” Liliana interrupted, “I want to be by myself for a moment. Don’t take it personal, I just need a moment to think things through…”
Holly kindly put her hand on Liliana’s shoulder and said,
“Don’t apologize, I understand,”
Liliana timidly looked at her, then looked down, and said,
“Thank you.”
Holly went inside and began to walk upstairs, while Liliana stayed there by the door for a moment. She put her hands in her pockets to protect them from the cold, and realized that she had put the apple she took from home in there so she could eat her ice-cream. Meanwhile, Criss and Sully were rushing down the stairs. Criss was walking so fast that she stumbled upon Holly.
“I’m sorry,” Criss quickly apologized, and he kept going without stopping for one second.
Liliana looked at her apple and took a small bite out of it. She then heard footsteps coming from behind her. As soon as she turned around, the shadow of a very tall man shrouded her. Criss and Sully finally reached all the way down, and rushed out the front door. Both of them looked around, thinking of which way to go. Sully look at the floor, and bent over to reach something.
“What are you doing? We don’t have time to--” Criss said in a very tense and desperate tone.
“This is Liliana’s apple,” Sully interrupted.
“What?” Criss responded.
“I saw her take a green apple before she left, and now I’ve found it here on the floor.”
“Sully, are you trying to tell me that…”
Criss stopped. He didn’t want to utter those words.
“Yes. Liliana has been taken away.” Sully remarked.