Apollo's 11

by Anna Collins

  Joe Hudson (with a sad face): yes, I miss him a lot, he is like my elder son.

  Reporter: But where is he? It has been more than a month and no one knows nothing about his departure, it just seems like he vanished in the thin air. Some people are even saying that he is no more.

  I gripped on the white table cloth as the reporter, very casually, talked about his death. Calm down Freya, wherever he is he is just fine. He is the Robert Hudson, even death fears him. I told this to myself and again looked back at the TV.

  Joe Hudson (a bit tensed): I can't completely deny this because I am in the same place as you are. He hasn't contacted me either. Before leaving he just told me to take over the business.

  Reporter: You didn't try to find him?

  Joe Hudson: No, I can't disobey him. He asked me to leave him alone.

  And no more questions please as you can see I am very busy with my new responsibilities.

  Reporter: so viewers that was Joe Hudson. And this is me, Tina, signing off.

  "I think he is dead," said the girl beside me. "Robert Hudson was very possessive about his business empire there is no way he could let an amateur like Joe Hudson handle his hard earned empire," said the boyfriend of that girl.

  Their conversation rang a bell in my head. And the words of Robert's last email flashed in front of my eyes "Bye Freya, Bye Forever" something was not right about these words. The words sounded too plain to be coming out from the mouth of Robert Hudson. What if he had not written that email?

  That night when he melted in my arms, he showed me his scars and his feelings too. Though his lips said nothing, but there was a promise in his eyes that told me that this guy didn't have it in him to stay away from me anymore. Then what about that email?

  "God! I will die" I held my head in frustration.

  "Freya, are you okay?" he asked with concern dripping from his voice.

  No. I was not okay, and nothing could make me feel better. I needed to find out the mystery about Robert' s disappearance. I was so lost in my own emotions that I forgot about logic.

  "Danny, bye. I am not feeling good. I am going home" I said while getting up from the table and then went out without turning back to check on Danny's reaction. I knew he could be mad at me but at that moment nothing mattered.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Freya

  "Sis, what is the problem? I came as soon as I got your message and what are you doing in the middle of the road?" Rick said as he got down from his car.

  "Rick, thank God you are here" I sighed in relief and went up to hug him. He patted on my back till I felt a bit okay.

  "It's not safe to discuss it in the middle of the road. Let's talk in your car" I suggested and we sat inside the car.

  "I have even locked the car, now tell me what's making you feel so stressed? Wait...you get this mad when the scene is about your beloved monster. As far as I know he is not in the picture, then what is hammering you?" he asked desperately.

  Wiping out the drops of sweat from my upper lips, "it's about him. Something tells me that his life is in danger" I said in the gap of taking heavy breaths.

  Rick sunk in his seat "then what about the email?"

  "He didn't write it," I said confidently.

  "How can you be so sure? And if he didn't write it then who? Does it have something to do with the mysterious, veiled woman?" Rick asked shakily.

  "Maybe that's it! Rick, it's their joint enterprise" I almost jumped.

  Rick straightened his back "you mean, Joe Hudson kidnapped him with the help of that veiled woman?"

  "That's all I can think of. Maybe Robert found out about the illegal actions of his uncle" I added.

  Rick's previously lit up face now went gloomy "sis, if they can kidnap him, they can also kill him," he said and pressed my hand.

  My throat went dry at that thought.

  "What if we are too late? One month is a very long amount of time, anything can happen" he said.

  "Don't scare me. I am not reaching to any conclusion without any proofs" I said rigidly.

  "Then there is only one way to find out. Let's visit Hudson Mansion" he said with excitement.

  I looked at him with a slightly shocked expression on my face "I can't believe you are actually excited for this" and shook my head.

  "To be honest, I love to go on this type of sneaky adventures with you" he rubbed his hands as his eyes became playful.

  "This can be dangerous Rick; I can't risk your life," I said softly.

  He smiled "don't worry sis, we will handle everything".

  "Damn, this place looks scarier at night," Rick said as he hid behind me.

  "I told you to stay back, we haven't even entered the building yet. What is scaring you? This back wall?" I scolded.

  "Sis, we should totally go inside. This place is so huge I am sure they have hidden Robert here only, if he is still alive" he spoke.

  "Shut up. He is not dead and to find out more, we need to jump over this huge wall. Damn! Why did I wear this dress? It will raise up to my waist if I even attempt to jump" I cursed Kate.

  "And I am not going alone without you, I'm too scared" Rick gulped.

  I looked here and there, trying to think of a way to enter the building.

  "Freya mam, it's so nice to see you," said a middle-aged man as he approached us. He was carrying a shopping bag and why did he look so familiar?

  He was dressed in a black and white suit, his blazer reminded me of one of those magician's who picked out white rabbits out of their hats.

  "He looks like a butler" Rick whispered.

  Jeez! Me and my short term memory. He was Henry, Robert's butler.

  "Hi, Henry, um how are you?" shit this was awkward since he caught me in the middle of my trespassing act.

  "I am fine, what are you doing here?" he asked curiously, scanning me and Rick from top to down.

  "We are not trying to enter sneakily" Rick blurted out.

  And I hit him on his feet with my high heels.

  Idiot! Why did I tag him along in the first place?

  "Don't worry, I am not here to charge you. I know why you are here, please come with me I will help you get inside" he urged.

  Ahhh Thank God! I sighed in relief.

  "Sis, why is he behaving so nicely with us? There must be a catch. What if Joe has sent him?" Rick whispered in my ear as we followed Henry.

  "Ahh, please, don't assume everyone to be a villain. None of the servants liked Joe Hudson, maybe that's why he is helping us. Let's see what is in store for us" I tried to reassure him or maybe myself too.

  "God! does this place have an end?" Rick did sound very much disturbed.

  I didn't bother to answer but clearly someone else was disturbed too and the picture got clear when Henry spoke up "Sir, please stay calm, we are taking the short cut. Joe Hudson will dismiss me if he ever came to know that I am letting you guys in".

  "Stop Rick. Henry, then why are you doing this? You might have the idea that our intentions are not wise. Then why are you sneaking us in?" I asked with a serious expression. Yes, I really needed to know this.

  Henry sighed "because I know that Joe Hudson is a bad person and he is plotting to take over Robert Sir's property. And I also know that only you can stop this disaster well at least you are trying. That's why I decided to help you. Robert Hudson is a nice person and he doesn't deserve this betrayal" he informed.

  I was taken aback by his loyalty. This man really cared for his employer. He was speaking good about Robert; did it mean that my monster was not a real monster after all?

  "Thanks, Henry, we really appreciate your help," I said.

  With tired steps and sweaty bodies, we managed to reach the third floor by taking those creepy, uptight spiral stairs. And the view raised several questions in my wondering head. Why the hell was he taking us to Robert's room? when I had clearly mentioned that I wanted to check out Joe Hudson's room. "Something is not right" I whispered to Rick.

  Rick nodded
"I had my doubts. His extra sweet nature seemed too good to be true" he said in a matching tone as mine.

  His fears seemed to come true when Henry stopped, took out a cell phone from his pocket and dialed a number "Mrs. Hudson, Freya mam is here. Should I send her in? All right madam" he smiled and ended the call.

  "Mam, Mrs. Hudson wants to see you. Earlier when I talked to her about you, she was very keen to meet you" Henry informed with a flat face as if he was reading the evening news on TV.

  My forehead wrinkled "Mrs. Hudson, as in Caroline Hudson, wife of Joe Hudson?" I asked.

  Henry shook his head "No, Mrs. Hudson, the mother of Robert Hudson" he announced.

  Our eyes went bigger as I and Rick stared at each other with extreme shock written on our faces.

  Rick stepped in to handle the situation. He cleared his throat "Henry, are you sure about your information? Because as far as we know she is dead."

  "I am sure sir, and she is very much alive. It will be better if you ask the rest to her. I shall take your leave now" he said and walked away.

  "Sis, till now I have done everything with you, theft, listening to people's secret, but meeting a dead person, this is a totally new genre for me," said Rick in a shaky voice as he stepped backward to lean with one of those huge pillars of the corridor area.

  "I don't understand; how can she be alive? I want to go and check" I said and before I could make a move, Rick yelled "Nooooooo!"

  "Rick don't create a scene" I warned.

  Mrs. Hudson was alive? But Robert told me that she was dead. Jeez! Now, what the hell was this? I frowned, looking at the door, thinking about the possible consequences.

  "Why are you staring at this door like this?" Rick shook me.

  "I'm wondering what or rather who is behind this finely curved door," I said with a stern expression, while my eyes never left the door and my mind was busy in memorizing the heavy leafy patterns of that ancient design.

  "I don't understand, why does this place look so mysterious and old? I mean it's in perfect condition but something just doesn't feel right" Rick pointed.

  "I know right. This place is holding a lot of secrets. I did my research, Robert inherited this mansion from his great great grandfather. There is also a picture of him somewhere in this huge corridor" I informed.

  Rick's face went pale "what if the spirits of those dead people are still roaming around this mansion? sis, this is super creepy. Let's leave" he tugged on my hand.

  "Uff! Don't act childishly. There are no such things as ghosts" I pouted.

  Rick raised his eyebrows "oh really! Then what about that veiled woman who held you at hostage?"

  I rolled by eyes "bro, she was a witch, not a ghost. Witches are not spirits, they gain their powers with hard work and tough years of practice. They need to memorize spells, you idiot" I hit on his head.

  "Wow, sis! You have become an expert on this stuff. That kidnapping really added up to your knowledge" Rick said in awe.

  "Forget that, see, again we got busy in our silly conversations and forgot the reason for which we climbed that mountain of stairs in the first place," I said.

  "Sis, this is too freaking dangerous, I don't want to meet a dead woman" Rick swallowed.

  "How many times do I have to tell you that she is not dead" now he was making me feel annoyed.

  I straightened my hair and took few deep breaths to calm myself down and then continued "see Rick, you can still go back if you are feeling scared. But I am not coming with you. I am here for Robert, he might be a monster, the worst person in the world, but still I can't dissolve the feelings that I have for him. I can't sit peacefully while knowing the fact that he might be on the verge of death" I sighed, feeling extremely weak and helpless.

  Rick picked up my fallen face "sis, don't say like this. And he is not the worst person in this world, he too has the same feelings like you have for him. When you went missing, he was worried as hell. I saw that desperation on his face" Rick informed.

  "Really? He was worried for me?" tears began to form in my eyes.

  I continued with desperation in my voice "don't remain silent. Tell me Rick" I urged.

  "He did every possible attempt to find you. I was very surprised to see that. He was ready to bring the sky down to the earth, for a girl whose actual attempt was to destroy him. And for the moment I could see the hint of goodness that he had very carefully hidden behind the face of that monster" Rick breathed.

  By the time my vision was blurred by those warm streams of tears that had filled my eyes.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Robert

  I stomped my feet, one leg after another trying to create some noise to contrast the ocean of darkness in front of me. But none of my muscles moved. Pitch black darkness and the sound of waves crashing, was that all there? The feeling of suffocation with a tint of hopefulness was what the state of my mind was at that time. No matter how hard I looked all I could see was black; black that was engulfing me, strangling me.

  I just let the pain take over me. It was not so difficult because the coldness had made by body completely numb. And now I even stopped trying to break free.

  The never ending night was sucking up the drops of life from my body. By body was injured, weak and my heart was filled with the woes of separation.

  "Freya" my bruised lips felt the slightest of relief when I uttered her name. But where was my voice? Why couldn't I hear what I was speaking?

  The crashing sound of waves had blocked my ears. I no longer knew if I was alive or dead. I just felt I was floating over a bed of waves. Every now and then a rib-shaking sound of howling could also be heard, but now I was immune to that sound, it no longer shook my ribs.

  In fact, my whole body was frozen, none of the muscle of my body was ready to move. But the piercing pain won't go anywhere.

  It felt like I have been iced like this for ages. All of the parts of my body were worn out, except for my heart which was only longing for Freya, I just wanted to catch a glimpse of her. But would I ever be able to see her again? Would I ever be able to feel the warmth of her body? Would I ever be able to kiss her?

  But when I closed my eyes. I saw Freya, looking into this blackness and then when I tried to reach her, everything seemed to have gone just… blocked! There were no beginnings, no end, just a long never ending trail of darkness. My mind went blank as if there was no life inside me. Words failed to describe my immobile, yet mobile state. I felt as numb and as dead. And every now and then I just kept wondering, was I even alive?

  Freya

  Holding my heart in the palms of my shaky hands I stepped inside that ever so familiar room. There had to be something positive news, the negativity of the whole situation had begun to affect my self-confidence.

  "He surely lived like a king. Man, look at the decoration of this room and that giant round bed" Rick's eyes went bigger as he blabbered in my ears.

  I squinted my eyes at him "really? Is this the time to make a list of his possessions? The man is practically dying."

  "Sorry," he bit his tongue.

  And continued "but sis, where is the mother? I can't see anyone" Rick rubbed his eyes.

  "I am here," said someone in a very soft, ear-soothing feminine sound.

  We looked up to be greeted by an extraordinarily beautiful middle-aged woman dressed entirely in white.

  Her face had that sculpted perfection, and her eyes were deep pools of blue. She brushed off her mercury red hair and greeted us with a smile of tenderness. It no longer felt like she was a stranger to me, in fact, it felt like I had known her for several years. My lips parted in awe of that charming lady who was taking elegant steps towards us.

  "She surely doesn't look like a ghost" Rick sighed in relief.

  "Shut your blabbering mouth" I pinched him.

  That woman had to be in her late forties but she looked nothing more than a woman in her early thirties. Her eyes and those lips reminded me of Robert. And I no longer needed any docume
ntal evidence to say that she was Robert's biological mother.

  "You must be Freya, it's a pleasure to meet to you, my child" she held my hands warmly.

  I tried to mimic her gentle smile but I knew my face hadn't left its shades of nervousness.

  "Mrs. Hudson, are you alive?" Rick blabbered out of nowhere.

  "Rick" I glared him with angry eyes gestured him to stop speaking.

  He looked down sadly.

  "Don't hush him, it's natural for him to react in this way. I am dead for the world, only a few people know that I am alive" she sighed as gloominess appeared in her blue eyes.

  "Does Robert know that you are alive?" I asked.

  "No" her answer came immediately.

  "But why? Why are you hiding from everyone?" I couldn't help my curiosity.

  "Because she asked me to do this, she even threatened to kill my son. And with those powers, she can do almost anything" she said, closing her eyes and a drop of tear welled down her cheek.

  "Who?" Rick asked impatiently.

  But I already knew the answer, it was that veiled woman.

  "My own sister. Her name is Rebecca. She is crazy, black magic and supernatural powers are everything to her. She was jealous of my happy life. She killed my husband and now she has captured my son too" and the woman broke down into tears and sat down on floor, weeping uncontrollably.

  Rick and I exchanged few glances and then joined that woman on the floor. I supported her by holding her shoulder. Poor woman, she must have been through a lot of trouble.

  "How do you know that Rebecca is the one to capture Robert?" Rick asked.

  "She told me, she told me that she has captured my son and will kill him soon" Mrs. Hudson sniffed.

  "I came here to seek help from Joe but he is not here" she added.

  "There is no use, Joe Hudson will never help you. He and Rebecca are doing this together" I informed.