Prologue - Death of the Billionaire

THE night sky was sombre and cloudy. The only thing that glowed was the yellow moon, its sheen painting the earth in the deepest of hues. A little fire crackled and spat gouts of flame and smoke in the air. ‘Leave me,’ he begged, ‘Please let me go.’ The gagged man was sprawled on the ground in a pool of blood, shuddering with fear. ‘I’ll make you rich. You will have everything you dream. Please, just please don’t kill me.’ his muffled voice echoed in the woods. He offered billions to spare his petty life. The abductor burst out laughing, his hood revealing a wicked bloody grin but veiling the rest of his face. ‘That’s one hell of a value for a man like you.’ he hissed. He was clad in black, an evil giant hovering over the terrified injured man. 

The man had been struck hard on his head and whipped brutally everywhere and it hurt. Blood had been flowing all around, its sting making him reel. He sobbed and begged and sobbed again. He despaired, his pleas for mercy went unheard and he was going to die. He sniffed and cried uncontrollably now, trying to brace himself for death. His life flashed before his eyes. But the abductor stood immobile for a long time, gazing at the dancing fire, brushing his little dirk. The frightened man tried to break free of the ropes and escape, but the knot stayed taut, and he groaned and cursed. Yet in less than a heartbeat, he silenced himself, fearing that the giant would hear the noise and that would be the end of him. 

The smoke from the fire clung to his clothes and it made him feel giddy. Beads of perspiration tickled down his forehead. He could feel his heart pounding and his wounds still throbbed from where the kidnapper had hit him. He wept and wept, chiding himself for being so weak. All that money I have for what? I have no family. I am a waste. 



And when the giant abductor walked towards him, death did not come easy. The kidnapper poked the dagger under his jaw, shoving his face upwards. ‘It’s the time to pay for your sins, sinner. Hell awaits you.’ That was the last thing he heard the giant say and after that there was nothing but pain and pain and pain in an endless void of darkness.