Prologue

There I was, face down on the pebbles. The bitter December cold was not helping much. I felt the chill run down my spine, giving me goose bumps all over. I attempted to overpower the giant, but Goliath wouldn’t have it. He pushed his huge boot down onto my back vigorously, making it difficult for me to move or breath.

“What do you want me to do boss?” Goliath yelled, in a deep muscular voice.

“Release him,” Bobby answered.

As the force of his boot decreased, I heaved for air, taking a deep breath, inflating my lungs with fresh oxygen. Once I gained my respiration, I raised my head. My sight fixed to what was ahead. Bobby advanced closer to me, all I recognised was his silhouette, but I knew it was him from his posture.

He stopped a few feet away from me, stood there staring at me for a moment before he attacked me with questions. “Who are you? Why were you following me? For whom are you working for?” The emphasis of his voice demanded an answer.

He retrieved a cigarette lighter from his pocket and inflamed his cigarette. The small flame from the zippo had shed enough light to reveal his face. I gritted my teeth on seeing the man that caused my family and me so much sorrow. He stepped closer, manoeuvred the flame around, analysing my face. For a split second, he seemed confused. He then took a step back, with an expression of shock on his face. Was it the deformity on my cheek or recognition that disturbed him? I wasn’t sure.

“Can I finish him off now boss?” my assaulter asked. He reminded me of a child who asks for approval, before doing something.

“Kill him!” Bobby ordered the giant. He then turned around and walked away, vanishing into the night.