The air was thick and dense with surprise, shock, confusion and suspicion. The voices and sounds of the Police arresting the goons - a distant background noise. All eyes fixed on the masked young man.
" Who are you?" Chris asked suspiciously with slightly squinted eyes.
" How do you know?" Millicent Baron asked, her voice filled with suspicion and caution.
" Don't worry. I'm here for the kids. Stella and Anabel specifically. I'm not going to harm them." The young man said calmly, a small smile on his exposed face and his eyes as he turned and looked at Leo and Leona before turning serious when his gaze landed on Annabel's pale and weak body. She seemed to be having trouble keeping her eyes open.
" Anabel.....Ana....open your eyes." He said urgently in a low voice, squatting beside her.
" Will...William...." Stella spoke weakly while turning towards the three; William, Leo and Leona squatting or kneeling around Anabel and pointed pointed to the girl who's condition seemed to be getting worse than hers and was beginning to sweat profusely and shiver.
" What happened to her? Who's she?" Millicent Baron asked worriedly as she came closer to the girl while observing her.
" Let's leave....." William began and reached out for Anabel but Michael interrupted as he moved closer to him;
" This isn't the right time to interrogate you , but I'll talk to you later. Right now, they all to go to the hospital to be checked up on. Stella hasn't recovered and the girl..... Anabel doesn't seem okay either."
" I can promise you they will receive medical attention at home. Be discreet if you want to help." William said firmly. Raising Anabel up into his arms, he stood up and met Michael's gaze directly - catching him a little off guard with his eyes' familiarity and intensity, making his eyes go wide slightly for a brief moment as his heartbeat went momentarily off.
" Keep your family off Stella's track for now and we'll talk later. Bring her." William's firm voice broke him out of his momentary distraction then he was walking briskly away in the direction of the car .
Michael looked at Stella for a short moment before his gaze went back to William who was now quiet a distance away already. Before he could look back at Philip and speak, Philip was already moving briskly with Stella , following William with Leo and Leona right behind.
" Where are you taking her?" Michael asked sternly with a deep grimace, standing in front of him.
" He's right." Philip simply stopped for a very brief moment, replied before side-stepping him and moving on. Not convinced, Michael walked alongside him, reasoning through clenched teeth;
" We don't know him that well."
" Little Master Michael," Brian Lewis who had been silent for long and mostly played the role of the observer aside from collaborating with the Police finally spoke up, causing Michael to stop and look at him while Philip continued , his eyes looking calm, thoughtful and a bit excited." I can assure you..... Stella is safe. Leo and Leona trusts trusts him and Stella does too. He knows about the situation at hand and told us to leave here. Let's leave through different directions and meet meet up later at his home. We'll send medical supplies to check up on them there later."
A moment of silence went by before Richmond spoke calmly I'm agreement;
" I think it's a great idea." Beside him, Chris nodded and Raymond who had gotten his wound wrapped in a clean white handkerchief by Millicent Baron added with a single nod of his head;
" Yeah."
Sighing, Millicent Baron beckoned her guards to follow her as she walked in the direction of her car. Her eyes looking keenly at William's car disappearing quickly down the road with Stella and Anabel. Her sharp gaze spotting the two little figures in it. While Philip, Leo and Leona waited for Michael who was walking quickly towards them to get to them as the Police forced the last set of goons looking miserable from Michael, Richmond and Leo's fight with them earlier in the other side of the woods - into one of their cars.
"Let's take that way round back to my car. They will be gone....."
Her words hadn't ended when a group of five motorbikes rode right into the woods as two black Rovers packed at the spot William's car had occupied a short while ago while another two motorbikes with a full black attired riders stopped by Michael who had just reached Philip, Leo and Leona by the road's shoulder.
As the first Rover opened, Mr. Ridge stepped out with two guards while his low-cut-haired driver stayed back.
" What's he doing here?" Leona asked irritably, starting to feel frustrated.
" Let's just go. Leo gritted out.
Taking hold of his sister's hand, he strode forward with determination. But a second later, a long, firm and strong hand from one of the riders beside them extended out I'm the way, instantly stopping them in their tracks and making them stumble back.
" Wait." The rider's deep voice followed right after the action.
" Watch it!" Michael gritted out as he moved quickly and steadied the stumbling two before standing protectively in front of them - facing the man with his lips pressed tighter and his eyes darkening.
" Back off kid!" The rider snapped as he got off his motorbike as the other did and stood threateningly close, his eyes glowering at Michael.
" Glaring at the riders, Philip joined Michael silently, but his aura felt strong and intimidating. The next moment, Chris, Richmond and Raymond joined, with similar serious and fearless expressions.
" Don't even think about it?" Leo and Richmond warned together when the later rider's hand moved to his gun sticking out of his black pants and belt as his dark gaze shifted to Leona.
" Don't try." Philip said in a calm yet threatening time as his facial expression darkened further and his muscles tensed - his right hand pulling Leona further back behind them.
" Mr. Carlos Ridge!" Brian Lewis snaked as he angrily strode over with a mad Millicent Baron." What are you doing?!"
" What do you mean by this, Mr Ridge?" Millicent Baron asked as she with her guards and Brian Lewis met the man and the rest of his men a few feet away from the teenagers.
Casting a slightly confused look around, Carlos Ridge's eyes widened for a millisecond in realization when his gaze fell on his two men and the boys' protective and tensed postures before his face turned grime.
" Back off!" He snapped, his voice deep, loud and full of authority. Instantly, the two men loosened up and moved quickly away with apologetic expressions whilst their eyes evaded Carlos Ridge's dark and threatening face.
" Sorry Boss." Both men apologized in since with their heads slightly bowed and their hands clasped together in front of them.
With a final and harsher glare at the two guilty parties, Carlos Ridge neutralized his expression then turned to the fuming woman and man in front of him;
" Sorry. That wasn't intentional." He said.
" It better not be." Millicent Baron snarled as she glared at him." What are you doing here?"
" Where's Stella?" Carlos Ridge asked back instead of answering, his sharp eyes darting around.
" Why are you asking?" Brian Lewis asked cautiously as the frown on his face deepened.
" Did you send the goons?" Millicent Baron asked in a tone that showed she already believed he did.
" Which goons?" Carlos Ridge asked confusedly, looking around innocently.
" Don't play dumb Mr. Ridge." Brian Lewis pointed out frankly, not taking into consideration his reputation or pride." It doesn't suit you."
" I didn't send any goons." Carlos Ridge objected sternly, his expression darkening. " Do you think I'll put my Stella's life in danger? I didn't send them."
" " Your Stella?" Millicent Baron asked in confusion and contempt as a deep frown formed on her face.
" What do you mean by your Stella?" Brian Lewis asked suspiciously.
" She's....." Carlos Ridge began explaining with a glint in his eyes and a barely visible smile tugging at his lips, but Michael's voice interrupted him. Effectively cutting him off mid-sentence.
" Stella's not here. She's been sent back to the hospital.
Both Millicent Baron and Brian Lewis turned to look at him with similar expressions. They could tell he had intentionally spoken to cut the man off. Seeing their questioning looks, Michael reassured them;
" Later."
" Why was she out here in danger when you and your friends promised to take care of her at the hospital?!" Carlos Ridge questioned accusingly in a loud voice. His displeasure more than evident.
" She wanted to come out to take care of a few personal problems, Old Man." Chris retorted in irritation, starting to get more impatient.
" Watch the tone ....kid." A tall heavy-built hairless man in black suit , with an unfriendly and cold expression behind Carlos Ridge growled; his dark eyes glaring at Chris.
" Cool down." Carlos Ridge ordered with his left hand raised, the back of it facing the man stiffly in a signal. His voice sounding a bit calm and authoritative. An authority that came from years of experience. Solely focusing on Chris, he asked;
" And you let her? Look at the result." His sarcastic and accusatory ending was accompanied by a casual wave of his raised hand around. Indicating the dangerous situation from not too long back.
" I thought you Knew Stella well from your statement earlier. " Brian Lewis pointed out with a hint of mockery. " If you really do, you should know her resilience."
" I do, just not much." Carlos Ridge replied calmly, tucking his hands into his pockets and appearing very relaxed and unaffected. His aging face showing experienced patience and tolerance. " But I'm not pleased. You are very very old enough to understand when to and when not to give children what they want. Especially if it will endanger them." Then as if suddenly remembering an obvious but forgotten fact, his eyes went intentionally wide and he hit his right palm quiet loudly against his forehead dramatically. " Oh , damn hell! How can I forget! Quiet pathetic of me to forget you have no children of your own.
Upon finishing, he raised his head fully and met Brian Lewis' enraged eyes and expression, a small smile tugging at his lips.
" Don't talk to our father like that!!" Leo and Leona's angry younger voices sounded together a second before they emerged quickly and determinedly behind the protective barrier the boys had created - keeping them protectively behind them as the confrontation went on to stand on either side of their adoptive father with blazing and glaring eyes. Their hands balled tightly into fists by their side.
A look of surprise crossed the greying-haired taunting man's face, as well as some of his men whilst others just had a very brief expression of confusion on their faces. The other party's expressions shifted from surprise, awe, warmth, and then panick before restarting the cycle or shifting between emotions randomly.
" Who...." The older man began before his eyes lit up in recognition. Then he chuckled. " Aren't you two Stella's little twin friends?" He turned briefly to the man in his right and three others standing a step behind him for confirmation before focusing back on Leo and Leona after he received their nodding confirmations." And.... he's your father?"
The brief exchange between Carlos Ridge and his men didn't go unnoticed by the five boys, Brian Lewis, Millicent Baron and her guards. subtly, the boy's shared a look of understanding as Millicent Baron shared one with her guards before maintaining their original expressions.
" Yes." Both Leo and Leona responded crisply in synchronization, their lips tightening into thinner ones. Leona moved to her brother's side and held his hand.
" Wow!" Carlos Ridge laughed, looking very amused for a full thirty seconds while every one watched with mixed emotions until he finally managed to compose himself.
" Are you done grandpa?" Leona asked calmly but sarcastically, folding her arms in front of her.
" Sorry kids, I just got carried away. " The older man apologized light mistiness in his eyes. Raising his right hand, he reached out to ruffle Leo's hair but the boy leaned back and moved a step away, pulling this sister back with him with contempt in his eyes. Unfazed, Carlos Ridge let his hand fall back at his side and continued." Interesting. But it's a pity. And Leo, right? " He got no reply from him but he continued anyway." You can always change guardianship in the picture. You can bring your sister along with you too. I'll train you to be a real man, since this father of yours is clearly not."
" What nonsense are you spouting?!" Brian Lewis snarled angrily and moved threatenly forward. In the exact same moment, Carlos Ridge's men took equally threatening steps closer in response, while the five boys and the others moved protectively and instinctively closer as well. The air was thick with tention as the two men involved engaged in a silent eye-to-eye battle.
" Dad...." Leona called in a slightly panicked tone. Quickly moving back to her adoptive father's other side again, she held his clenched hand as Leo held the clutched the hand he was already holding firmly, then coaxed;
" Calm down dad."
Visibly, Brian Lewis calmed down quickly and a small smile brightened up his previously red and mad face as his head whipped down to the twins in surprise, a warm and intense pleasant feeling rising and spreading I'm his entire being. His eyes being the window of his body exposed those indescribable emotions. His earlier rage vanishing almost completely as a single word repeated in his head several times - 'DAD.'
They called him ' Dad!' for the fist time, Leo and Leona voluntarily called him that without feeling uncomfortable, obligated or pressured to. His children called him Dad!