"Arghhhh!" Jean screamed very loudly as her back hurt so badly.

The long-haired man stabbed Jean's body using his waist belt several times. Making Jean's body really felt like she was crushed. Every part of her body were stinging and hot.

After doing it several times the man stopped it because it seemed like he was teaching the girl a lesson.

"Now show her the photo again."

The short-haired man immediately placed his cell phone screen right in front of Jean's face, which had almost lost consciousness. Jean's body trembled even more when she saw her best friend's beautiful face plastered on the man's cell phone screen.

"If you want us to let you go. Call this girl right now, send her here!" the man with the cropped hair snapped right in front of Jean's face.

Jean immediately shook her head quickly. She felt suspicious if they intended to do something to Soo Yin too. Better to die in that place than to sacrifice her best friend. Even though Jean still had feelings of annoyance, Jean won't want to contact her. However, Jean missed Soo Yin a lot, too.

"Give me your cell phone." The man forcibly reached into the cell phone that was in Jean's bag.

"Do not!" Jean said but the man didn't want to listen to her at all. In fact, he had already checked the name of the contact who he knew if her name was Soo Yin. He quickly contacted her immediately.

"Speak up, tell her to come here!"

Jean prayed that Soo Yin's cell phone number was off. However, her prayer was not answered because it was not after a while that a voice was connected.

"Hi Jean, you finally contacted me." A voice that was so cheerful was immediately heard. It was Soo Yin's voice that sounded very happy.

Jean closed her mouth tightly even though the two men had already given the code for Jean to speak by pulling her hair back. Jean remained silent and kept trying not to make any sound when one of them grabbed her shoulders very hard.

The short-haired man then turned off the telephone connection. Even though Soo Yin's voice was still talking.

"Talk or you want something to happen to your mother!"

Hearing them threatened her through her mother, Jean tried hard not to believe their words. Her mother was currently in the hospital so nothing will happen.

"I won't do it!" Jean said boldly.

"Fine if you don't want to do it."

The short-haired man put his cell phone screen back in front of Jean's face again. Her eyes immediately bulged when she saw the video.

In the video, it appeared that someone had entered a hospital. The masked man entered the room where there was Jean's mother who was lying weakly while closing her eyes.

"If you don't want to, then your mother will die right now," the man with cropped hair said while grabbing Jean's chin.

"Sir, please don't hurt my mother. I will do whatever you want but please don't hurt my mother," Jean said between sobs when she saw the contents of the video which showed a masked man about to remove the breathing apparatus that was attached to her mother's nose.

"Do not!" Jean shouted with her eyes wide open. She cannot lose her mother.

"Then talk to that girl to come to this place. Tell her to come alone!"

Jean finally nodded her head this time. It was difficult for her to choose between her mother and her best friend.

The man switched off the video call that was going on with someone then switched on Jean's cell phone to call Soo Yin.

=================================

In a different place

Soo Yin just walked out of the supermarket while carrying two plastic bags in her hands. Tonight she was shopping for snacks to stock up at home. Did not forget to buy chocolate ice cream.

With a cheerful face, Soo Yin was looking for a suitable place to enjoy the two cups of chocolate ice cream that she has bought. Until her gaze fixed on a chair that was located not too far from where she was currently standing. There it was very fitting because the place was far from the crowd so that Soo Yin can calmly enjoy the ice cream.

Derttt… derrtt… derrtt….

Just taking a step, Soo Yin felt her cell phone vibrate, which was in the pocket of her pants. First she put the plastic bag on the street. Her face was immediately happy when she saw the name that was printed there.

"Jean?" Soo Yin muttered as she immediately pressed the answer button. She wanted to feel like jumping for joy if she didn't remember that she was being in a crowded place.

"Hi Jean, finally you contacted me," Soo Yin said, greeting first. She was too happy that her friend finally wanted to contact her first, even though a few days ago she had contacted her but she was not active.

Soo Yin stopped her words while waiting for Jean to say something. However, there was silence on the phone, only a noise that was not clear.

"Jean?" Soo Yin called because Jean didn't say anything.

Soo Yin looked at her cellphone screen because the phone line suddenly dropped. All of that was quite confusing for Soo Yin.

"What's the matter with Jean?" Soo Yin muttered as she put her cell phone back to her pocket. Once at the house, Soo Yin intended to contact Jean again.

Soo Yin brought the plastic bag back. Thought that maybe Jean squeezed it wrong or maybe just didn't want to talk to her yet. She continued her steps towards the bench not far from where she was standing.

It felt strange to eat ice cream at night coupled with the very cold weather. However, Soo Yin was unable to hold back her desires. Although enjoyed it at night, it still felt good on her tongue. Really lived up to her imagination.