SURVIVOR: Ghost – Bodyguard Series (S01 • E12) 🩸🔞
By:- Adewole Kelvin
“INVASION AND EVASION”
Omni-pov
Dundas Street, located in the east-west part of Toronto, the area was bustling like a living entity, as the day hadn’t ended yet and the sun is still shining in the sky. As the street came alive with various activities, a man dressed in an olive green jacket and black trousers, sporting a small grey goatee, could be seen walking at a quick pace along the side of the road, surpassing the movements of others. As he hastened his steps, he cast furtive glances and nearly bumped into a tall brown man. He smiled sheepishly, clasped his hands, and apologized with a gesture, taking note of the stranger’s height. Then, he turned left and entered a narrow passageway between an old building, which led him to the other side.
As he emerged from the corner between the buildings, he encountered some street beggars begging for alms. However, he ignored them and crossed the road to the other side, casting the same furtive glances before entering the compound of a duplex that faced the road, enclosed by a stainless steel aluminum slat fence gate. Then, he burst into his apartment house, loudly calling out a name.
BAO! BAO!! BAO!!!
Noticing there is no response or sound, he rushed to the kitchen and then to two different rooms, calling the same name with serious and troubled intent. However, he saw nobody in the kitchen or the rooms. Troubled by the person’s absence, he pulled out his phone from his pocket, his gaze locked on the screen as he scrolled through it. Doing so, he walked over to the window and cast a furtive glance outside before placing the phone to his ear to make a call.
Seeing there was no response from the person he was calling, he tossed the phone onto one of the old couches in the parlor and then burst into one of the rooms. Shortly after, he emerged from the room restlessly, pulling a luggage behind him. All of a sudden, he paused in what he was doing as he observed and heard footsteps at the entrance of the door.
Alerted by the presence of the unknown, he stepped backward quietly and grabbed a wooden stick from under the couch. As he raised the stick, he fixed his eyes intensely on the door when it opened. A young, slim woman with silky, long hair walked in. She wore a short-sleeved blouse and a long skirt that covered her legs. Pausing in her walk, she asked curiously, her eyes widening in shock.
Bao: You’re back, Father… Father, what happened? Why are you holding a stick?
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Wei: Good heavens, you scared the hell out of me. Did you come alone?
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Bao: Yes..
She attempted to answer, trying to understand what was happening, as she saw the luggage on the table. Her father threw the golf stick aside and bombarded her with a series of questions.
Wei: Why didn’t you answer your phone when I called? Where did you go? Didn’t I tell you not to go out until I got back? Did you think I didn’t have my reasons for saying that?
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Bao: (sighs) I’m sorry, father!
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Wei: Now is not the time for any discussion. Go to your room, pack some of your clothe into the luggage. We’re leaving this city right now.
He blurted out and walked back to his luggage on the table, zipping it properly. Bao followed, asking her father.
Bao: What do you mean we’re leaving this city right now? Where are we going to?
Her father didn’t give her any response as he focused restlessly on what he was doing to the luggage on the table. Seeing how restless her father is, Bao gently placed her palm on his hand, prompting him to stop what he was doing, and he closed his eyes.
Bao: Father, your expression is concerning. What’s going on?
Wei heaved a sigh of relief and looked at his daughter, perplexed by the expression on her face
Wei: (regretfully) I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life, Bao.
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Bao: You’re making me feel worried. Talk to me, father!
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Wei: As much as I’d like to admit, I can’t tell you right now. This isn’t the time to discuss. As soon as we leave this city for a safe place, I promise to tell you whatever you want to know. The most important thing is that we must leave this city right now… So, if I were you, I’d be in my room packing my clothes into the luggage now.
Wei said, returning to what he was doing. Then, Bao rushed into her room to pack some of her clothes into a small luggage. As she was doing that, her eyes met the small framed photo on a metal table. She took it and kissed it, her expression turning to depression before she put it into her luggage. After that, she headed out of her room, only to find her father loading a gun. Seeing that made her even more curious to know what her father is doing with a gun, as she had never seen him with one before.
As much as she felt curious to know what was happening, she stood and watched him in silence as he loaded the gun until he was done. As soon as he was done, he looked in her direction and asked, holstering the gun on his waist behind his back.
Wei: Are you set?
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Bao: Yes, father!
She answered softly and he walked to her, and cup her cheeks with his palm, he said sympathetically, looking into her eyes.
Wei: My daughter… In case anything happens, promise me you’ll take off when I tell you to do so.
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Bao; What’s going to happen?
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Wei: PROMISE ME!! (Sigh) Please, promise me!
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Bao: (sigh) Okay, I promise. But nothing is going to happen. Can we take our leave now?
Wei nodded, smiling wryly, and grabbed his bag. He took a deep breath and spoke confidently.
Wei: Let’s leave! And stay close.
Wei walked to the door and opened it, casting a furtive glance before moving out of the house with Bao, who had noticed his reaction. As they stepped out, two Land Cruisers pulled up in front of their house, making loud screeching sounds that sent some of the people walking on the side of the road fleeing out of harm’s way. The commotion even caused most of the people in the area to scatter like sheep as soon as they noticed the “Red Wolves” inside the cars. Shop, restaurant, and library owners in the area quickly flipped their “Open” signs to “Closed” immediately after witnessing the arrival of the “Red Wolves”.
One of the Red Wolves members made the situation even worse by firing an G36 gun into the air, shouting wildly at the top of his lungs in his native language (Spanish).
Member: Hahaha, cowards! Why are you all running? Why don’t you wait for it?
Then, he lowered his gun towards some of those running for their lives and riddled their legs with bullets in a circular motion, making them fall to the ground regardless of their sex or race. Meanwhile, other members of the “Red Wolves” invaded Wei’s compound. There were six of them, plus the one outside the gate, causing terror and pain. Unlike the one firing outside the gate, these members were armed with sharp machetes, knives, brass knuckles, and golf sticks, each not to mention their deadly looks that craved blood. One of them stood out, towering at 6’8″ feet tall, and was scarier and deadlier than the others. Their bodies were adorned with tattoos, and they wore their signature attire. Their confident stride showed they were ready to face anything that felt like a threat to them.
As they approached Wei and Bao, Wei turned around, facing his daughter, whose face was already etched with terror. She tried to stay behind him, but Wei embraced his daughter affectionately, as if he had lost her for decades. He whispered into her ear in their native language (Mandarin Chinese).
Wei: Bao, my daughter, I want you to know that everything I’ve done and I’m about to do now, I’ve done it only to save and protect our family. You can call me a foolish father for taking such decisions, but know that my intention was to keep us safe.
He released her body and looked her in the eyes, palming her cheeks compassionately, smiling wryly.
Wei: Now, go inside.
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Bao: N-n-no, father!
Bao disagreed, fear written in her eyes, as she clutched her father’s forearms while they shared eye contact. The gangsters didn’t even pause in their approach, walking closer with confident strides that exuded danger. Seeing the ignorance in his daughter’s eyes, Wei told her off.
Wei: GO INSIDE NOW!
Bao shrunk in terror at her father’s outburst. Left with no choice, she went into the house and clung to the living room window to watch what would happen between her father and the perilous gangsters. To her utmost shock, her father locked their metal door with a strong padlock. Bao hit the window’s bars numerous times, shouting, her voice a mix of fear and anger.
Bao: What are you doing, Father? Father? Father?
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Wei: I’m sorry, daughter!
Meanwhile, the tall gangster, who had already witnessed what happened, ordered one of his men not to look inside the house, as Wei’s daughter was the reason they had come to the house. But it was already too late to stop Wei from preparing for a fight, as one of the gangsters, short and fearless, charged at him with a long, sharp knife. Fiercely, Wei, anticipating the attack, stood his ground, his legs set apart, eyes narrowed, and fists clenched. Then, his eyes caught sight of a chain near the steps leading into their apartment. Feeling it would be enough to defeat his opponent, he quickly picked it up and wrapped it around his right fist.
As the short gangster charged at him snarlingly, attempting to stab him in the shoulder, Wei shifted and weaved, creating an opening for a counterattack between them, as the gangster’s attack wasn’t limited to his arm, but also targeted his torso. Then, Wei struck him on the wrist, sending the knife flying from his hand, followed by a powerful smash to his chest. The impact sent the gangster diving backward to the ground, and Wei assumed a Fudo-dachi stance while the gangster yelped, clutching his chest and coughing blood.
Seeing that their partner had been defeated, the rest charged at Wei, except for the tall gangster. He turned around and answered an incoming call, seemingly unfazed by the chaos unfolding around him, while the others fought against Wei fiercely. The air was filled with the cracking sounds of bones and cries of agony.
As soon as the call was answered, a deep, commanding voice echoed from the phone, belonging to the caller.
Miguel: Does he have my money?
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Tall gangster: (glance at wei) I don’t think so, jefe. Because we met him trying to pack out of the house with his daughter.
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Miguel: Oh, disappointing! The debtor is dodging his debt. What about his daughter? Do you have her?
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Tall gangster: Uh, not yet, Jefe. We’re about to get her now.
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Miguel: Good! And if he serves as an obstacle or threat, kill the motherfucker and bring me his daughter. His daughter will serve as collateral to pay the debt if her father fails.
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Tall gangster: Roger that, bo… !
The boss ended the call before he could complete his statements. Meanwhile, Wei was weaving and ducking around the swinging weapons of the other gangsters. He unleashed powerful hits on their faces, one after another, with his iron fist, causing bruises and swelling. The impact of his punches sent them off guard, and they fell to the ground, blood oozing from their mouths and noses. Teeth and blood were scattered on the floor.
However, the gangsters didn’t stop striking at him, as the only thing they sought was his downfall. Meanwhile, two out of the four gangsters fighting against him lay on the ground, unable to move. One clutched his shoulder, while the other grasped his ribs in anguish.
In a flash of movement, Wei grasped the arms and shoulders of the two undefeated gangsters, lifting them high into the air before slamming them to the ground with a thunderous Seoi Nage. Their weapons flew away. The impact made them arch their backs and yelp in agony, leaving them too weak to stand and fight back. Unbeknownst to Wei, his short gun had already fallen to the ground
As soon as Wei defeated them, excluding the tall gangster and the one outside the gate keeping watch, he rushed to the window to meet Bao, his breathing heavy. Bao, who wasn’t surprised by her father’s impressive fight skills, questioned him immediately, driven by fear and concern.
Bao: Are you okay, father?
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Wei: You must leave now!
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Bao: Wait, what? What about you?
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Wei: Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Your safety comes first, go now! Use the backyard door, I’ll find you. I prom…
BOOM! BOOM!! BOOM!!!
He paused, coughing up blood for a moment, as he was shot three times in the back by one of the gangsters on the ground. The sound of the gun echoed through the compound. Bao screamed at the top of her lungs as bullets struck her father’s back.
Bao: FATHER! NOOO!!!
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Wei: I’m sorry, daughter… I-I love you… Go now! GO! GOO!!
Wei persuaded his daughter, whose eyes welled up with tears. As much as she didn’t want to leave her father, she had no other option but to leave in a teary hurry. Seeing that his daughter had gone, Wei balled his fist in the chain and turned around to smash. The tall gangster angled his forearm to deflect the incoming punch and stabbed Wei in the stomach. Wei’s eyes widened in disbelief as blood trickled down from his mouth, the tall gangster’s attack causing him more anguish and discomfort than anything he’d experienced in his life.
Tall gangster: Old man, let’s see if you’d find your daughter.
The tall gangster tore Wei’s stomach, exposing his intestines. Wei fell to his knees, shocked and in agony, as blood gushed from his mouth and stomach. He clutched his stomach, desperate to keep his intestines from spilling out. Life drained from Wei, and he succumbed to his injuries, his intestines spilling out. Meanwhile, the two men Wei had slammed to the ground struggled to get up and burst into the house, chasing after Bao. The tall gangster assisted the other two men on the ground, barking orders in a loud, commanding voice.
Tall gangster: Don’t let her escape. And remember the boss wants her alive!!
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Gangster 3: (from inside the house) Copy!!
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Gangster 2: Damn it! She passed through this back door
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Gangster 3: Hurry, hurry! She must not escape!
Bao, on the other hand, is running as fast as she could, casting furtive glances over her shoulder every second to see if she was being chased. But none of the Red Wolves members had appeared behind her yet. Even if they did, she believed she couldn’t be caught easily, as she was already far from home. The distance she had covered was considerable, and it would take a long time before the gangsters could catch up to her.
As she ran through the area, the eyes of the people followed her everywhere, drawn by the commotion caused by the number of people she bumped into along the way. Regardless, she continued running, replaying the scene of her father getting shot, especially the image of blood oozing out of his mouth. The thought of her father’s shot increased the speed of her legs, and she balled her fists as painful tears welled up in her eyes. Overcome with pain and anger, her emotions clouded her judgment. She felt herself moving, but inside, she was lost. Suddenly, she was jolted back to reality by a speeding dodge cahllenge car that swerved to avoid hitting her as she crossed the road to the other side
With no sign of fright, she glanced at the person in the car and the people around her, who were staring at her in disbelief due to her reckless move that had almost gotten her killed. Bao didn’t care about the looks and took a step backward, turning around to get out of the road. As she turned to leave, her name echoed from the same car that had nearly crushed her to death.
“BAO”
The car door opened, and a guy with red tattoos on his face and a band-aid on his nose stepped out, holding the door of his car. Bao paused, turned around, and looked in his direction. In that moment, the people around her, who had been taken aback by the scene where Bao nearly got crushed by the car, began to disperse, Bao voiced out.
Bao: Lorenzo!
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Lorenzo: Where are you off to? Are you okay?
Lorenzo asked sympathetically, but Bao rushed into his car without answering.
Bao: Go, go, go!
Bao persuaded Lorenzo to drive, catching a glimpse of the back direction through the rearview mirror. In no time, Lorenzo took off, bombarding Bao with a series of questions inside the car. Despite being safe in the vehicle, Bao remained restless, refusing to answer any of his questions. Instead, she continued casting furtive glances throughout the ride, urging him to keep driving. Minutes later, their car turned off the road and pulled over in front of a mansion. Soon, the two got out of the car, and Bao scanned the area, still driven by fear.
Locking the door of his car, Lorenzo couldn’t help but wonder what was bothering Bao ever since he picked her up, especially the way she had been casting furtive glances. He knew something was wrong, making her act strangely. But she hadn’t said a word to him. The only thing she had told him in the car, as far as he could remember, was to keep driving. Ever since he had known Bao, she had never acted this strangely, as if someone was out to take her life.
As far as he knew, it seemed too good to be true because Bao was an easy-going person who had actively avoided trouble over the years. Not because she was afraid, but because she had always wanted to stay out of trouble her whole life. Growing up together, he knew her personality well, as they had once lived as neighbors and had been close friends. But everything changed after he became a member of the deadliest gang in the state.
Ever since he joined the gang, he had actively avoided Bao because he felt she didn’t deserve to be associated with a gangster like him, which might put her life in danger. He had accumulated many enemies since becoming a member and feared they could harm him by targeting his loved ones. This was one of the reasons he had kept his distance from Bao, not wanting to endanger her life with his lifestyle. Until they stumbled upon each other again, nearly crushing her to death with his car earlier.
Apart from that, he and his partner had been apprehended after getting into a violent fight with a lady who lived in the condominium next to their house. For the past four weeks, he had been locked in a cell. Thanks to the help of his superior, he was released this noon. Even the car he drove to her house, he had hijacked it just a few meters away from the police station after his release.
Since his release, the only thing he desired was revenge on the lady who had landed him in the cell for a terrible four weeks, without caring about the cause of the violent act between them. Besides, he felt ashamed that a woman could take him down in public. As one of the feared gangsters in the area, it was a huge disgrace for him and the organization, and the news has gone viral.
After locking the door of his car, he took only two steps when his eyes met a lady dressed in a fine multicolored blouse and a mini skirt, getting out of a green Lamborghini Aventador parked right in front of the condo next to his house. Looking at her, he furrowed his eyebrows and ground his teeth, knowing exactly who she was – the friend who had disgraced him in the public disgrace. He believed she is friends with the lady who had humiliated him, as he had seen them together a few months ago, before the altercation.
For some reason, he felt that her friend could be used as a trap to exact his revenge on the lady who had disgraced him. But he’d love to make her suffer for what she did before he eventually kills her. He took his eyes off her and walked into the house, holding Bao with him. As they entered the house, he urged Bao to sit in the parlor while he went into the kitchen to bring her a glass of water. Shortly after, he came out only to find her leaning against the door of the parlor, weeping with her arms crossed over her shoulder while standing – her head hung low.
He felt shocked and stunned to find her weeping, as this was the first time he’d ever seen Bao tear up so intensely. The sound of her cry pierced his heart, and he couldn’t help but throw the glass away, the shattering sound of the glass enveloped, and immediately embrace her. All he could do was console her as she continued weeping, repeatedly saying:
Bao: They shot him, they shot him, they shot him.
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Lorenzo: Who was shot? And who are they?
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Bao: They shot him and I doubt if he’s alive now.
She said, still tearing up. Despite feeling deeply sorry for her, Lorenzo’s curiosity got the better of him, and he needed answers. He felt that understanding what had happened could help him assist her. Why was she running wildly barefooted, almost getting crushed by his car? What was chasing her? Why had she been acting strangely the whole time? What had triggered her tears now? Who got shot? Who was the shooters? And, most pressing of all, where is her father?
As far as he remembered, he knew Wei wouldn’t let his daughter be far from home, regardless of her age. There was no other reason for his overprotectiveness and care except for the violence in the streets that has been happening lately. Moreover, Bao is the only child, and he knew Wei wouldn’t want to lose her, especially after losing her mother a few months ago. Lorenzo felt deeply sorry the day he heard the sad news of her mother’s demise, but he never got to pay his condolences, a regret that still haunted him.
But he felt that whatever he did was to protect Wei’s family, especially Bao. He cared for Bao deeply and didn’t want to be seen with the family, believing that getting close to them would endanger their lives due to his lifestyle. He feared it would consume him with a lifetime of guilt if anything bad happened to the family because of him, or even his own family.
Curious to know what happened, Lorenzo released Bao and gently cupped her cheeks, looking deeply into her eyes. Then, he wiped away her tears, which were streaming down her cheeks, with the tip of his thumb, and asked with concern etched in his eyes.
Lorenzo: Hey, hey! Shush, look at me, Bao. I can see you’re struggling to control your emotions right now. I’m not sure what’s causing the distress, but I’m here with you. I can imagine how painful this must be for you. Don’t be scared, okay? Just take a deep breath and share with me what happened.
Bao took two steps back, making Lorenzo’s hands fall away from her face. Then, she rubbed her eyes, sniffing before taking a deep breath and spilling the story, folding her arms. Lorenzo listened closely.
Bao: This afternoon, my father and I tried to move out of the house when the members of the Red Wolves suddenly invaded our compound, armed with perilous weapons, scaring the hell out of the people in the street. They tried to harm us, but my father got into an intense fight with them, trying to stop them from doing anything stupid. In the process, he was… (pauses, choking back tears) He was shot three times in the back… (breaks down in tears again) The Red Wolves shot him! He must be dead by now…
After hearing that, Lorenzo turned around with great agility, grasped a small flower vase on top of a high table, and smashed it to the floor, letting out a fierce growl.
Lorenzo: Fuck!!
Then, he brushed his hair backward with the palm of his hand, his face contorted in anger. Frightened by his sudden reaction, Bao took a few steps backward and asked, struggling to control her tears.
Bao: Are you crazy? You… you got a problem?
Fixing her eyes on him in shock, Lorenzo looked in her direction, his angry expression immediately turning to one of regret.
Bao: Is something wrong?
Bao asked again, more curious and nervous.
Lorenzo: (sighs) I’m sorry, Bao…
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Bao: (rubs her eyes) Sorry for what?
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Lorenzo: Although I didn’t do it, my partner and I were assigned to complete the task. Even if I were responsible, I’d never stoop so low, Bao. In fact, I was ready to risk my own life to ensure your safety and your father’s. I…
Despite his answer, Bao wasn’t convinced, but rather felt bemused, trying to comprehend what he meant, and she asked Interjectedly
Bao: Can you be more specific?
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Lorenzo: I’m a member of the Red wolves
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Bao: Excuse me, come again!
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Lorenzo: (yell) I’M A MEMBER OF THE RED WOLVES, IN FACT, THE LIEUTENANT OF THE GANG!
Bao’s eyes widened with shock and fear. Tears quickly welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks in an instant as she struggled to believe what she had just heard.
Lorenzo: (softly) Bao…
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Bao: Hold it! So, you’re one of them? I should have known this when I saw your tattoos. And I’m here thinking I’m safe the whole time, without knowing you’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing… You know what, I won’t stay here and let you continue to manipulate me, only to meet the same fate as my father. I’m extremely disappointed in you, Lorenzo. From now on, stay away from me. To be frank, I’m beyond caring at this point. I don’t care what happens to me. If my life is taken, at least it’s better than living among wolves like you.
She exclaimed emotionally and turned around, walking towards the door of the parlor. In that moment, the only things that surged through her body were pain, anger and betrayal. And the worst part of it was how dejected she felt, knowing that the person she had laid her trust in, the one she thought was her guardian angel, was actually the devil who had been playing Jesus all along. Ever since she had met Lorenzo, she had put her trust in him completely. Because he was different from any other guy she had ever seen; their friendship hadn’t started overnight. But he had been benevolent to her in every way.
As long as she could remember, he had stood up and defended her when some boy older than her by a few years tried to bully her. Regardless of their age or size, he wasn’t afraid to face them. As far as she knew, he got a black eye that very day because of her. It’s not that she wasn’t capable of fighting to defend herself – she knew a little martial arts – but she had always wanted to stay out of trouble her whole life.
Additionally, he was truthful; he never made false promises. Unlike many other guys, he didn’t make any attempts to woo her. Not even once. And it wasn’t that she wasn’t beautiful – of course, she was, just like her own mother. Or was it her body shape that men often chased after? Her slender figure may not have been particularly showy, but she had the confidence to stand out, unlike many other slender women with straight figures.
Nonetheless, they were intimate, and everything worked out well between them, except for some months when she didn’t see him again. During those months, she was careless because her mother was in a terrible condition, and she eventually lost her. As a result of her mother’s death, she was too grief-stricken to care if anyone checked on her or not. Although she knew Lorenzo wasn’t the one who claimed her father’s life, considering the news that had been traveling across the state about the Red Wolves, he was no worse than the damage the rest of the Red Wolves had caused in the lives of many in the state, as far as she was concerned.
Tbc…