The Familia

Chapter one – Culture Coffee

The smell of pumpkin was overwhelming as Hayden sat at his usual table at Culture Coffee.

 He had sat at this exact table, ordering the same full fat cappuccino every morning while trying to tackle his writers block. This week Culture Coffee had brought in a new range of Autumnal drinks to bring in the Season.

Pumpkin spice was heavy in the air and he wanted nothing to do with it.

It was not that he disliked the taste of pumpkin, or the Halloween decorations starting to plug up every window display on the street, nor did he hate the season Autumn, he had always preferred cooler weather.

Quite simply, Autumn reminded him of Nia.

“If only our hearts were as brave as the leaves in Autumn.” Nia’s voice echoed in his head.

He opened his laptop and began typing, every tap of the keypad less enthusiastic than the last.

“Good morning’’ a familiar voice managed to softened Hayden’s face, “Good morning!” he replied cheerfully.

“I’ll be right back with your cappuccino Hayden; I’ve just got to get these new customers seated before Hein loses his mind.”

“That’s Ok Fiona, could you bring me my bill at the same time, a bit full here today”

“You sure? I don’t think they’ll be staying long anyways, just long enough to take some photos of their delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte.”

His mind went to how undemanding Fiona’s eyes were and how he knew he had hurt her that night by not showing up to dinner.

“I’m sure” he said, smiling softly at her.

The leaves playfully lined the street as he walked towards his house only four blocks away from Culture Coffee. Nia weighed heavy on his mind. Their last night together came flooding back.

 She had arrived home with eyes swollen from crying, sat on the edge of the couch, looked up slowly and began speaking in a broken voice, “Hayden, you aren’t the person I need in my life, I love you but I am leaving you.”

“Not the person she needs?” He murmured as he continued walking.

Most nights those words haunted him, brought him to his knees writhing in pain.

She was gone the next morning, the only item she had taken with her was a jewellery box her mother had given her when she had turned 18. Hayden held onto hope that she would be back. It had been 7 months since he saw her last but still, he had not packed away any of her things. He held onto her possessions as if her essence lived within them, it brought him closer to her.

He had tried to call her many times, but Nia and her family had cut contact the morning she had left. Hayden still had not been able to tell his sister Romy that they were not together anymore.

 Romy was his last living relative and worked as an investigative journalist, she was never home and always on an adventure.

 Arriving home, he went upstairs to the bed he had shared with Nia, slumped his body down and closed his eyes.

Chapter Two- Nia

Nia was awoken by the roaring of an engine. She tried to shake her confusion and sit up but realised her arms had been tied behind her back. As her eyes focused, she saw two men sitting in the front of the van she was in, they were not speaking. She screamed but the men did not flinch. Trying to figure out her surroundings she turned her head to look behind her, she immediately felt overwhelming pain in her head.

She knew why this was happening- her father must have made a bad deal and now she was paying for it. She knew leaving Hayden was the only way to protect him. She was too deep in this underworld and she could never tell him, she could never endanger him.

She had no idea how long they had been driving or where they might be, her wrists hurt, and she could taste blood. Suddenly the van turned and came to a halt, the back doors of the swung open; two men stood staring at her. One climbed in, grabbed her foot, and pulled her towards the doors.

“Be quiet.”

She nodded, she knew the type of people she was dealing with and now was not the time for bravery.

She looked up and saw a ceiling, they were inside a factory. Running was not an option with her hands tied she would be off balance and unable to open doors.

Her thoughts were distracted by the sound of footsteps, she looked towards the men, walking up behind them was a woman with four other men behind her.

She was dazed but recognised the woman. It was Romy.

“What is going on Romy?!” She exclaimed, the shock in her voice obvious.

“hello, Nia. Its good to see you again”

“What the fuck is this Romy, Is this about Hayden?”

“Enough Nia!” Romy roared, “I’m so sick of you always acting so perfect. So innocent.”

Nia was frozen, her mind running. This had nothing to do with her father.

Chapter Three – Ghosts

Hayden had not slept, thoughts of Nia plagued him. Some days were easier than others, yesterday was not one of them.

He reached his usual table at Culture Coffee and was immediately greeted by a note from Fiona.

Dreading that it was another invite to dinner he did not open it yet and made himself appear deep in work on his laptop.

He looked up from his typing to relieve his aching neck, he noticed Fiona was gone. Culture Coffee only had twelve tables, so it was not difficult to notice staff not being there. He looked at the time on his laptop, “Maybe it’s her lunch break” he thought to himself.

He glanced down at the folded note and decided the pressure was off and it was okay to read it,

• Hayden.
• 7pm Carlito’s
• Yelena
•  

His body went cold, his hands trembling, Yelena was Nia’s mother.

What does this mean? Why does she want to meet? Does Nia want me back?

His mind raced with anticipation, nevertheless he was excited at the prospect of seeing Nia again.

He left his table in a hurry; he wanted to get home and get prepared for tonight.

6.27pm Hayden arrived outside Carlito’s. He wanted to be early to show how vital this meeting was to him; he also knew how much Nia loathed people being late and wanted to show her he still remembered.

7.13pm He sat patiently waiting, pacifying his nerves with a whiskey.

7.37pm He was getting up to leave but heard a voice he recognised as Yelena calling staff to bring her a vodka.

“Sit Hayden, we have no time for formalities.”

He was taken aback and sat with speed. “Yelena, it’s great to see you, will Nia be joining us?”

“No, I’m afraid not.” Her face looked strained, “She has been taken Hayden, I need your help to get her back.”

“What do you mean taken?” he challenged, the confusion making him dizzy. “I don’t understand what you are trying to say Yelena.”

He was still, tears collecting in his tired eyes

Her eyes went dark, she inhaled sharply and looked him dead in the eyes. “She’s been kidnapped by someone you know. They have information about my family, information that will destroy us.”

He put his hands to his face, “Yelena please tell me what is going on, this makes no sense!”

“Our family is in the drug trade; we have been for generations. Someone has taken Nia; we know who it is, and you are the only person that can get her free.”

“me?!” He exclaimed.” How? I’m a writer, not a drug lord!”

“Enough!” She yelled slamming her hands onto the table.” We really do not have time for this,”

She threw a folder across the table at him, “Open this when you are alone, a driver will be at your house in the hour to collect you.”

Hayden’s mouth hung wide, “Yelena, I don’t- .“ He was cut off by the sound of her phone ringing, she stood up, waving her hand dismissively towards Him and disappeared through the back of the restaurant.

Chapter Four – Jewellery Box

Hayden sat on his bed and opened the folder, inside he saw photos of strange men, Nia being grabbed and forced into a van, a microchip, the jewellery box she had taken with her when she left and a photo of a woman walking away.

He threw the photos to the floor; he could not grasp what he was seeing, but he knew she was in trouble. He walked outside to find a car waiting for him, he climbed in unsure of what lay ahead.

The driver looked at Him through the rear-view mirror “There is a bag on the floor, it is for you to open when you arrive”

Hayden nodded; he had figured out that Nia’s parents were immensely powerful people and it was best not to ask questions.

The car came to a slow stop and Hayden grabbed the bag and got out; it was a deserted factory parking lot. He walked towards the factory; his legs felt weak.

He was met at the door by three men, one of them grabbed the bag out of his hand and led him inside by his arm. “I was sent by Yelena” Hayden said in his boldest voice.

“Go in there.” The second man said abruptly, pointing at a room at the end of the corridor.

He entered the room and there on the floor sat Nia, her body badly bruised, her eyes just as swollen as the last time he had seen her. “Nia!” He cried out, flinging his body onto the floor towards her. She tried lifting her head, “Hayden why are you here, please you have to get out.”

“Your mother sent me here.”

“No! you shouldn’t be here!” she said loudly, he could hear the desperation in her voice.

“Tell me what is going on.” His voice quivered.

“Romy is here Hayden.”

Just then he heard the door shut behind him, there stood Romy, his little sister.

“Romy… what the fuck is going on here?!” She smirked, “oh hush, how could you have been so blind all these years? Nia is part of the Gonzales drug family! I’ve been investigating them for 7 years!”

He looked at Nia while Romy continued, “I only need one more thing to prove everything I already know to be true. They’ll be locked up for life and I’ll be known as the greatest journalist in my field, single handily bringing down the Gonzales family!”

“what?!” He glared at his sister. “Seven years? But I was with Nia for three?”

“Bringing you two together was the easy part, you were so lost, so alone.”

“How, could you?” His eyes searching Romy’s face for answers.

“Stop! Where is the box?”

“The box?” had said perplexed.

“The jewellery box, where is it?

“I don’t fucking know Romy; Nia took it when we broke up.”

Romy began walking around them, circling like a shark smelling blood, “Inside that box, hidden in the walls lies a microchip.” She paused and looked down at Nia, “filled with emails, bank statements, photos, everything I need to end their family!” Nia looked at Hayden, “I had no idea about the chip, I swear.”

“I’m going to leave you two to catch up, when I get back, I better have the answers I need.”

Nia began sobbing as Romy left the room, “Hayden I’m sorry, I never wanted you involved in my Family’s business, I had to leave you.”

“You should have told me; I would have protected you!” His eyes were soft but full of regret, “Protect me? You don’t understand.” Her eyes fell to the floor.

“Nia, where is the jewellery box? We need to end this.”

Their conversation was cut short by a large man walking into the room, he was the same man that had taken the bag from Hayden when he arrived. “Ramon!” Nia’s voice was filled with optimism. “Do they know?”

“No.” Ramon said, “Bitch has no idea.”

He tossed the bag towards Hayden, “she will be back soon, I’ll be outside waiting.”

Hayden unzipped the bag, inside lay a Magnum 35 Snub nose revolver.

The door began to open, he quickly hid the gun in his belt and resumed his seated position next to Nia on the floor.

“So, have you decided how this is going to end?” Romy said Mockingly, her hands placed on her hips.

Hayden stood up, walking slowly towards his sister, “When mom and dad died, I swore to always protect you, guide you, you are my only family.”  He held his arms open, walking towards his sister. Romy’s face softened; her arms opened towards her brother. Just then a shot rang out.

Romy’s mouth filled with blood. “Nia is my family now.” Hayden said, dropping the gun to the ground.

She fell to her knees, blood splattering from her lips as she tried to call out for help.

Swiftly a barrage of gunshots came down outside the room, Hayden pulled Nia behind the desk for cover and untied her, then as quick as the gunshots had begun, silence fell over the factory.

 “I missed you.” Nia said while kissing his hand.

He took her chin in his hand, lifted her face towards his and gently kissed her and said "Autumn has always been our season."

Ramon’s voice echoed “Hey you two, let’s move!”

She grabbed Hayden’s hand, he lifted her up into his arms and followed Ramon outside.

Exiting the factory, he saw Ramon standing at a car with the door held open for them, they climbed hastily in and the driver handed a jewellery box to Hayden, Nia smiled at him and said

“Welcome to the Familia”

End.