Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the Run
Chapter 1
The Beginning Of The Run
The sky was unusually clear, and the sun shone too brightly. Children played noisily in the park, elementary school kids scattered everywhere.
At the center of the park, two five-year-old children—a girl and a boy—were arm-wrestling amid loud clapping. Several students surrounded them, cheering enthusiastically.
One of the girls looked bold and confident, and some kids shouted, ‘Daisy!’ Others yelled, ‘Aaron!’ Aaron and Daisy glared at each other fiercely as they played. In the end, Daisy won.
She jumped in happiness. Furious, Aaron shoved Daisy to the ground. Daisy got up and hit him back. Soon, they were rolling on the ground, fighting.
Their kindergarten teacher rushed in and pulled them apart. Aaron and Daisy stood there, disheveled, staring at each other in anger. Moments later, they were made to stand side by side for the group photo, still glaring.
In the evening, Aaron’s mother arrived to pick him up. Before leaving, Aaron shot Daisy a glare, smacked her lightly on the head, then ran off and jumped into the car. As it drove away, he leaned out the window and teased her.
Daisy waited until dusk, watching every passing face, but her parents never came. Her homeroom teacher tried calling them again and again, but the phone wouldn’t connect. In the end, the teacher decided to take Daisy home herself.
When they reached Daisy’s house, a huge crowd had gathered outside. Police officers were everywhere. Daisy let go of her teacher’s hand and tried to enter, but before she could, someone grabbed her and lifted her up.
The man hugged Daisy tightly and cried aloud. He was twenty-three years old, wearing a black T-shirt and gray jeans.
He gently set Daisy down and bent to her level.“Uncle, what happened? Why are you crying?” Daisy asked.
The man was George Matthew, Daisy’s mother’s younger brother—handsome, strong, bold, and physically fit.
George hugged Daisy again and said softly, “Nothing. Don’t go inside.” Daisy looked completely puzzled.
Two hours later, Daisy stood beside George at the funeral. Amelia—her mother—was gone. Staring at the framed photograph, Daisy’s eyes brimmed with tears. She was too young to grasp the truth, but somewhere deep inside, she knew her mother would never return.
For the next two days, George and Daisy stayed inside the house. A few goons came to meet George while Daisy was asleep. George took them outside and spoke to them privately.
A man named Jackson asked coldly, "What are you going to do next, George?"
George didn't respond.Another man, Williams, pulled out a cigarette and tried to light it. George snatched it away and said, "There’s a kid here. Don’t smoke. Now leave. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the basement. Tell the boss too."
They left without another word.
The following day, George said, “Daisy, get ready. We’re going to a place.”
Daisy didn’t respond. She silently stood up, and they left together.
George drove to the prison. A few men in black suit stood near a car outside.
“Daisy, stay in the car. I’ll be right back.,” George said.Daisy nodded and climbed inside. George entered the prison alone.
A handcuffed man was brought in and seated across from George. George’s fists clenched, his jaw tightening with rage.
“Joseph,” George said, his voice shaking, “why did you kill my sister?”
Joseph suddenly burst into laughter. His smile was twisted, horrifying.“Where’s Daisy?” he sneered. “I should kill her with my own hands. Only then will I sleep peacefully.”
George slammed his fist on the table. “Why?” he shouted. “Why did you kill her?”
Joseph replied calmly, “Daisy is lucky. I planned to kill her the same day I killed her mother. But don’t worry—once my fifteen-year sentence is over, I’ll come for her.”
George snapped. He stood up, fury blazing in his eyes.“How dare you!” he shouted. “You won’t touch a single hair on Daisy’s head. If you ever come near her, I’ll protect her like a shield. The day I see you outside this prison will be your last.”
Joseph smirked. “We’ll see.”
They locked eyes, hatred burning between them.
George stormed out of the prison and climbed into the car. The others followed. Without a word, they drove straight to Amelia’s grave.
“Daisy, I’m sorry,” George said softly. “I couldn’t protect your mom.”
Daisy said nothing. Tears streamed down her face. Seeing her like that, George broke down and cried.
That evening, Daisy waited in the car outside a building. Four men stood guard around it. George entered the structure, which resembled a secret mafia basement. Inside, everyone greeted him with respect.
He walked into a room where his boss, Stephen, was seated. They sat on nearby sofas.
“Are you alright?” Stephen asked.
“I’m leaving the basement,” George replied.
Stephen looked at him in disbelief.
“Amelia wasn’t just my sister,” George continued. “She was like a mother to me. She raised me. And now she’s gone—because of me.”
Stephen said, “Joseph is in prison. Why leave now?”
“I’ve decided to leave the city with Daisy and start a new life,” George said.
Stephen smirked. “There’s no safer place for you than this basement.”
“My sister hated this life,” George replied. “She begged me to quit. This is the right time. Please, be safe.”
George stood up to leave.
“Daisy will be proud of you someday,” Stephen said. “Go somewhere I can’t find you. But remember, these doors will always be open.”
“Speak to Olivia before you leave,” he added.
George nodded and left.
Outside, he turned to his men. “This might be the last time we meet. Take care of Stephen.”
They hugged him and said, “This place will always be yours.”
George walked away with Daisy.
Later, he received a call. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes,” he said. They took a taxi to a restaurant.
Inside, a twenty-three-year-old woman in a pink top waved. “George, I’m here!”
They hugged and sat down. George lifted Daisy onto a chair.
“Olivia, this is Daisy—my sister’s daughter,” George said.
“She’s so cute,” Olivia smiled.
They ate together. Daisy struggled with her spoon, and George fed her. Olivia watched quietly, disappointment flickering across her face.
Later, Olivia said, “You need to move on.”
“I can’t,” George replied. “I’m leaving the city with Daisy.”
“What about me?” Olivia asked.
“If you agree, we’ll get married and leave together,” George said.
“My parents won’t accept this,” Olivia said. “And now Daisy is between us.”
George stood up angrily. “If Amelia had thought like that, I wouldn’t be alive today. I won’t abandon Daisy. Either you join us—or this ends.”
“So you choose Daisy over me?” Olivia asked.
George didn’t answer.
“Fine,” Olivia said bitterly. “It’s over.”
George lifted Daisy and left. Olivia collapsed to her knees, crying.
Two days later, George and Daisy boarded a ship. George received a notification—Olivia’s engagement photo with another man. He smiled faintly, switched off the phone, and put it away.
He looked down at Daisy. “Let’s start a new life. I can’t replace your mom, but I’ll try. Are you happy?”
Daisy hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry, Uncle.”
George laughed softly as the ship began to move. The city faded behind them.
Their new life had begun.
