The Building on Second Avenue by Kressner Mark;

Author:Kressner, Mark;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
Published: 2020-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 40

Victoria Tomasulo exited her cab at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues. It took her all of fifteen seconds to run through ‘Nathan’s Famous.’ No Double A. No Sally Ann. She headed for the ‘Wonder Wheel.’

Ali Farouk was already at street level where he remained twenty feet away from where the two children would be let off the big ride. He watched as they made their way out of the Wonder Wheel’s cars.

Sally Ann and Double A bounced onto the street. The fifteen-year-old’s eyes looked everywhere as she grabbed for the boy’s hand. Together, they set out seeking freedom. They would not get far.

Ali Farouk came up from behind. With his left hand, he nudged his pistol into Sally Ann’s rib cage and gave an order. “We’re all going to take a walk back to Surf Avenue. I have a car waiting.” He put his right arm around the boy. Double A felt the arm and turned to look around.

“Grandpa,” he asked, nervously. “Where are we going?”

“I am taking you some place safe, Anthony. You will be staying with me from now on.”

Sally Ann, still feeling the barrel of the gun, stopped walking. “Don’t do this, mister.” She looked pleadingly at the stranger.

“Don’t argue with me. He is part of my family. Now, walk.” Ali tried to walk that thin line between sounding like concerned family and threatening to get his way.

“You yelled at my mommy all the time. We ran away from you. I want my mommy,” Double A’s voice carried as he bent down, twisted and bolted loose. The four-year-old’s pulse was pounding as he began to run. Confused and frightened, the boy’s legs crushed the pavement, not knowing where he was going.

Ali did not want to attract attention. Although not the summer crowd, people were scattered throughout the area. He quickly holstered his weapon while keeping his eye on the four-year-old. He took off after the child. A frightened Sally Ann stood indecisively motionless. She stared at the passersby, wondering to whom she might ask for help. Before she could decide on action, the chessboard changed.

A mother heard her son’s cry for help. Victoria Tomasulo ran toward the sound of her son with all the power that emanates from maternal instinct. Ali watched as mother and son jumped into each other’s arms, releasing an explosion of loving energy. Staring at the reunion, Sally Ann couldn’t control her emotions. Tears of joy and fits of laughter were sharing time across her wide smile.

Ali Farouk was not finished yet. He pulled out the 35-caliber pistol as he approached, demanding that he was taking the boy. He let one bullet fly into the air as a warning. The sound was heard for blocks in all directions. The innocent around them ran for their lives.

“He’s my son. You can’t have him.” Victoria would stand her ground.

Ali fired back. “You let them kill my son. For his own safety, I’m taking him away from this crazy place.”

The shot fired at Ali Farouk zipped just above his head.

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