Jerry stifled a yawn, frantically rubbing his red eyes. He had lost track of time, of how long he had stayed hidden in the thorny tall shrubs, since he witnessed Liam getting dumped in the cave approximately 50 yards ahead. It must have been one and a half days. He had waited unsuccessfully for the mafia men to leave. He was beyond famished, if it hadn't been for snacks and some water kept in the Jeep, he would have starved.

He pushed himself lower in his seat, pushing his hand over his mouth when he heard footsteps crunching softly against dry twigs and leaves.

“When will Giovani be here to take over Signore?” A stocky man approached a group of three men, smoking by the cave.

“He should be here by now, he's new, give him some time Marco.” The tall bearded man blew rings of smoke from his mouth nonchalantly.

“What do you think will happen to him boss?” Marco's brows furrowed deeply. “We've kept him longer than the rest.”

“The big boss will decide. But I'm guessing he's toast. He touched the lady boss.” the tall bearded man clicked his tongue grimacing, his head was turned to the skies watching the little stars peeping, in the early evening.

“Look! the bambini is here already.” Marco cheered pointed towards a revvying motorcycle engine, leaving behind a cloud of dust as it approached them. They watched in silence as the man parked his bike and walked upto them. He was a tall lean young man, walking with his head down.

“Hello signore” he greeted shyly, taking off his hat. “I'm here to see Signore Andreas, about a job. My name is Eliantos.”

“You are looking at him.” The tall bearded man grunted, throwing his cigarette down and stomping on it calculatively. “I'll pay you per night. Stand in for us. Your job is to guard the cave, nothing goes in, nothing comes out, you hear?” He commanded.

“Si Signore. Understood.” Eliantos inclined his head, eyes glimmering to make Andreas proud.

“And this? Is for anything weird. Shoot first, questions later.” Andreas whipped a pistol, handing it over to Eliantos who took it hesitantly. “Let's go boys!” Andreas clicked his thumb taking the lead.

Jerry lay still, breathing evenly. Once the car engines died down, he lifted his head slowly to survey the area. Young Eliantos was pacing up and down, his eyes darting from the cave to his surroundings suspiciously.

“I can take him, I just need a good backstory.” Jerry whispered formulating a quick plan. “It's now or never.” He rubbed his sweaty palms together, his eyes shifting nervously.

He waited, impatiently until Eliantos got curious to check what was in the cave, then sneaking out of the Jeep, Jerry dug his shaking hands deep in his pocket and started whistling casually.  "God, I hope this goes well.” Jerry's voice cracked, above a whisper. He straightened his face and soldiered on with an impartial expression.

Eliantos came running out of the cave, his pistol raised nervously at Jerry. “Who are you? Sir Andreas didn't tell me about a new person.” His brows were furrowed suspiciously as he circled Jerry.

“Put the gun down, baby!" Jerry hoped Eliantos couldn't see his thumping heart through his shirt. “What would Andreas say if you shot his brother? Huh!” Jerry took a step closer, pulling the gun to his own head. "Come on!"

Eliantos' knuckles whitened, his hold on the gun tightening as he wrestled with his thoughts. It would be a death sentence for him if he shot Sir Andreas' brother. On the other hand, if he messed up this job, it would be at the cost of his life. And he was not prepared to die. “So why didn't he tell me you were coming?” He leveled the gun to Jerry's head.

“Does he have to tell you everything?” Jerry scoffed, stepping aside from the gun range. "I'm here to babysit you instead of having the time of my life out there. Quit whining and go get something for us to eat, man! Here is some money. Now hurry up; I'm starving.” Jerry searched his pockets, throwing a bunch of dollar bills in Elianto's face.

Eliantos hesitated for a long while. The gun still directed at Jerry. “Al…Alright. But if you do anything stupid, I'll kill you, brother or not. I'm not losing my life over your stupidity.” Grabbing the money, Eliantos left.

“I can't believe this is happening.” Jerry half jogged into the cave, squinting his eyes to see in the partially dark cave.

“Boss? Liam?” He called out his voice slightly above whisper. “Liam?” Jerry hopped over a puddle of muddy water. Hurrying to the furthest end of the cave.

“Jer…Jerry.” A faint call echoed through the cave.

"Liam!" Jerry broke into a run, frantically searching. “Oh God, Liam!” He ran towards a slumped figure on the corner of the cave.

His hands hovered hesitantly as he took a closer look at Liam. Every part his body was swollen and every inch of his skin was caked in mud and dry blood. He was beyond recognition.

Watching Liam in that state brought back sharp painful memories of his own car accident, fractured bones, piling hospital bills, and a family to feed. Had it not been for Liam's kindness... Jerry shook his head, refusing to think about how life might have turned out for him.

"Get out of here.” Liam pleaded, pushing Jerry away when he held onto him. "They... will kill...you." Elizabeth was all he could think of. His brows twitched in pain; a part of him hoped she was the one who had come to save him. But the Elizabeth who framed him in front of the Don was not the same woman he loved and married. This Elizabeth was a cold-hearted gangster. “Please…go.” Liam cried out, his brows knitting tightly in pain over his broken heart.

“No, come on.” Jerry swallowed hard, struggling to pull Liam up, Liam's full weight leaning on him. “We can do this, boss, just a little more steps.” He panted, pushing back tears.

"How... did...you find me?” Liam asked in between short breaths as they took one step closer to the entrance.

“Save your breath.” Jerry urged, his lazer sharp eyes focused on the entrance, wondering how he would get Liam to the car and drive the hell out of there.

“Thanks…Jerry… You are a great friend.” Liam whimpered, lightheadedness prevented him from walking any further. His knees buckled, and he sank to the ground. “Go..man. I…can't make…it.” His half-closed eyes throbbed.  "I've...lost it all."

“I'm not leaving you.” Jerry pulled him up stubbornly, “You saved me. My wife and I, and our little girl will always be grateful to you. Now get up, Liam!” Huffing and puffing, Jerry got Liam to continue limping; he sighed heavily when they got to the entrance of the cave. He only had to get him to the hidden Jeep.

“Keep going. Almost there. There you go. Good job.” Jerry pushed Liam into the Jeep, relieved it was almost over. No sooner had he settled Liam into the Jeep than he heard ear piercing shouts and heavy footsteps running towards them.

“What the hell do you think you are doing? Stop!” Eliantos shouted off the top of his lungs, pulling out his gun.

“Oh no!” Jerry jumped into the Jeep, speeding it out of the area.

Loud gunshots pierced into the air as Eliantos started his motorcycle while simultaneously screaming on the phone in Italian.

“This is bad. He's calling his friends.” Jerry struggled to control the Jeep as the engine revved hungrily, the Jeep ferociously ripping through shrubs and branches.

“You are dead, you bastards!” Eliantos fired more shots in the air, closely behind them.

“Lay down. Keep your head down!” Jerry pushed Liam low. His pounding heart matched the loud gunshots.

Closing the gap between his motorcycle and Jerry's Jeep, Eliantos aimed the gun at Jerry. Three shots rang fiercely through the air, downing the roaring engines.

Jerry ducked too late; his hand instinctively shot to his abdomen. When he looked down on it, there was blood everywhere. Suddenly he was freezing cold, and the world was spinning very fast around him as mind-numbing pain registered in his brain. His face paled at the realisation of  his gunshot wound. "I'm... I'm not feeling so good.” He whispered, losing control of the wheel, slipping into unconsciousness. The Jeep was headed straight towards the roaring river.

Liam's face twitched in pain as his eyes drifted to his friend's abdomen. He had been shot. He lay helpless, drifting in and out of consciousness as he watched his friend bleed out. “Jer…wake…up.”
He was too weak to talk, let alone lift himself up to help his friend.