The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 116: Shot

Chapter 116: Shot

Their joyous laughter was abruptly shattered by the sudden sound of a gunshot echoing through the air. Panic rippled through the crowd like a shockwave, sending people scrambling in all directions, screams piercing the once lively atmosphere of the carnival.

Abby’s heart lurched in her chest as she instinctively grabbed onto Remo’s hand, her pulse racing with fear. Charles and Martha were quickly by their side, their expressions filled with concern as they scanned the chaotic scene unfolding around them.

Without hesitation, Remo ushered them towards safety, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive as he guided them away from the commotion. Abby clung tightly to his hand, her mind racing with fear for their safety.

As they navigated through the panicked crowd, Abby caught glimpses of people running frantically, some crying out in terror while others desperately searched for their loved ones. The once vibrant carnival had descended into chaos, the festive atmosphere now tainted by fear and uncertainty.

Remo led them to a nearby alleyway, away from the chaos of the carnival grounds. They huddled together, seeking refuge in the relative safety of the dimly lit space, their hearts pounding with adrenaline and fear.

"What’s happening?" Abby whispered, her voice trembling with anxiety.

"I don’t know," Remo replied, his tone grim as he scanned their surroundings for any sign of danger. "But we need to stay calm and stay together."

Charles placed a reassuring hand on Abby’s shoulder, his presence a source of comfort in the midst of turmoil. Martha stood close beside him, her face pale with worry as they waited for news of what had transpired.

Minutes stretched into eternity as they waited in the alleyway, the sound of sirens wailing in the distance adding to the sense of unease. Abby clung to Remo’s hand, her thoughts consumed by the safety of her family and the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

Finally, the chaos began to subside, replaced by the distant murmur of voices and the fading wail of sirens. Remo cautiously peeked out from their hiding place, his expression tense as he surveyed the scene outside.

"It looks like the situation is under control," he said, relief evident in his voice. "We should try to find out what happened and see if we can help in any way."

Nodding in agreement, they emerged from the alleyway, their hearts heavy with concern for those affected by the violence that had disrupted their day of joy and celebration. As they made their way back towards the carnival grounds, Abby’s heart pounded in her chest as she clung to Remo, her eyes wide with fear. In the midst of the chaos, she felt a strong arm wrap around her, pulling her close. It was her father, Charles, his expression steely as he shielded her from harm.

Before Abby could fully comprehend what was happening, she felt a searing pain tear through her father’s body. A gut-wrenching cry escaped her lips as she watched in horror as Charles took the bullet meant for her, his body collapsing to the ground in a pool of blood.

"NO!" Abby screamed, her voice echoing through the chaos as tears streamed down her face. She knelt beside her father, her hands trembling as she desperately tried to staunch the flow of blood.

Amidst the chaos, Abby’s focus remained on her father, who lay wounded but still conscious. With tears streaming down her face, she knelt beside him, grasping his hand tightly in hers.

"Dad, stay with me," she pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion. "You’re going to be okay, I promise."

Charles managed a weak smile, his gaze filled with love and pride as he looked at his daughter. "I love you, Abby," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Remo’s men sprang into action, their training kicking in as they tried to secure the area and protect Abby and the others. But amidst the chaos, their efforts seemed futile as the assailant disappeared into the crowd, leaving destruction and despair in their wake.

Despite their best efforts, Remo’s men were unable to prevent the tragic outcome. Abby’s father lay on the ground, his life slipping away with each passing moment. In his final moments, Charles looked up at Abby with love and pride in his eyes, his voice barely a whisper as he spoke.

"Take care of her, Remo," he said, his words filled with urgency and love. "Protect her, always."

Charles’s heart sank as he frantically scanned the chaotic scene for Martha, but she was nowhere to be found. A sinking feeling gnawed at his gut as he realized the truth: Martha, the woman he had trusted and loved, was the one responsible for his shooting. She had slipped away when they were not looking.

A sad smile tugged at the corners of Charles’s lips as he pieced together the events leading up to this tragic moment. Martha, his devoted maid, had slipped away when no one was looking , driven by motives unknown to him. She had betrayed him in the cruelest way possible, delivering the final blow that ended his life. Fortunately he had seen her before she pulled the trigger. His Abby was safe.

As the realization settled over him, Charles felt a profound sense of sadness wash over him. How could the woman he had shared his life with, the one who had acted like a mother to his daughter, betray him in such a manner? Questions swirled through his mind, but in the end, he knew he would never find the answers.

With his last breath, Charles whispered a silent prayer for Martha, hoping she would find peace and redemption for her actions. Despite the pain and betrayal, he couldn’t bring himself to hate her. Instead, he chose to focus on the love they had shared, clinging to the memories as he slipped away into the darkness.

As the world faded around him, Charles found solace in the knowledge that Abby would be protected, even in his absence. He entrusted her safety to Remo, knowing that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.

With a final, fleeting thought of his beloved daughter, Charles closed his eyes and let go, surrendering to the peace of death’s embrace.