Diana!"Mariam shouted as she watched her father slump to the floor. "Stop!" she sobbed. Diana glanced at her, then turned away. She crossed to the window and saw a man dressed extravagantly, chains hanging from his neck like a dog's collar.
"Never," Diana muttered.
BANG. Her face slammed into the window frame, blood gushing from her mouth. She screamed, feeling the warm liquid pump out. Turning, she saw her father dragging her by the legs.
"It's for your own good,"he grunted, yanking her faster.
She scrambled beneath him, but he unleashed a barrage of blows until her face was unrecognizable. Mariam, desperate, grabbed an iron chair and swung it at his head.
"Dad, STOP!" she cried—but he was already half-conscious.
Diana stood, stared at Mariam without a word or expression, and walked out, dragging her feet. At the doorstep, she faced their visitor—a man laughing wildly, so loud it drew his attention.
"Damn it," he hissed, pulling a gun and firing without hesitation.
Diana dodged, and the bullet struck her father, who'd been charging with a stick. Mr. Pharaoh groaned, clutching his hand.
"You can't get anything done,"sneered Reverend Pop, his beer-stained beard twitching.
"STOP!" Mariam trembled as chaos unfolded.
Reverend Pop strode to Diana, checked her pulse, then slung her over his shoulder. His phone rang; he answered, nodded at Mariam's terrified face, and dropped Diana like a sack.
With a grotesque smile, he raised his gun
CRACK. Mariam collapsed, dazed but conscious.
He loaded both sisters into his car, humming as tires screeched down the road. Mariam woke, touching her throbbing head. The seat beside her was soaked in blood.
"She's going to die," she whispered.
"She won't. Just bruises,"Reverend Pop said, then scowled. "Wait—why am I talking? I'm meant to be strict."
"You don't fit a kidnapper,"Mariam spat, eyeing Diana's limp body.
"That's what I tell them, but nobody believes me," he chuckled.
"Who's 'them'?"she demanded, detective-mode activated.
"Ask again, and I'll shoot you."
Silence fell. Night thickened. The car slowed, stopping roadside. Reverend Pop glanced back—Mariam feigned sleep.
"She's asleep,"he muttered, resting his head.
"That's what I was meant to ask you,"Mariam said.
He jolted. "Clever girl."
He fought sleep with a book until their breathing steadied. "One hour… just one…"But the driver dozed off.
Seer
You can't cheat nature.
......
Reverend Pop woke to a fly tickling his face. He swatted, but his neck locked, suffocating him. Diana's grunts of pain filled the car.
"Diana, STOP!" Mariam begged, tears streaming.
Diana released. Reverend Pop gasped, stumbling outside, coughing. Diana followed, beer bottle in hand, ready to strike.
"Wait—calm down!" He retreated as she charged.
"DIANA!" Mariam yelled.
Diana froze. Reverend Pop aimed his gun.
"Drop the bottle, Wonder Woman."
She glared. "You know this isn't working."
BANG. The bullet hit the ground near her feet. The bottle shattered.
"Hands behind your back. Now."He cuffed her, shoved her into the car, then pointed the gun at Mariam. "Get in."
The car rolled forward in silence. Diana studied the passing trees like they held secrets.
"Where we're going, stubbornness won't help," he warned.
"What's its name?" Diana leaned forward.
The car parted tall grass, revealing a gilded gate that swung open magically. Beyond lay paradise—manicured gardens, a palace fit for a king.
The sisters stepped out, dizzied by the opulence.
Seer
Welcome to the hood