Chapter 14: Raid
"Annie, listen to your uncle! Hide, now!" an elderly worker urged, pulling at her arm, trying to lead her away.
"No! Let go!" Annie struggled, tears streaming down her face. "They're going to kill my dad!"
But Jacob had already spotted her. Despite her attempts to disguise herself with short hair and smudged oil on her face, her beauty was unmistakable. "Perfect..." Jacob's lips curled into a grin, and he started toward her, eyes gleaming with unrestrained greed.
"Annie, run!" Annie's mother grabbed Jacob's pant leg from behind, pleading desperately.
"Get off me!" Jacob snapped, kicking her with brutal force. She hit the ground, blood spilling from her mouth, but her grip held firm, her eyes unwavering.
"Don't just stand there! Get her!" Jacob ordered, as he continued beating the woman. His men, eager to follow his command, moved toward Annie, but the steel plant workers stepped in front of them, a line of determined faces.
"Out of the way!" one of Jacob's men barked, raising his gun, hoping intimidation would work as usual. But to his surprise, a steel pipe swung through the air, aimed right at his head.
"Damn you!" The enraged workers swung their steel pipes with all their might, striking one of Jacob's men and splitting his head open. Blood splattered as he fell, his pistol dropping to the ground, quickly scooped up by another worker.
In an instant, the plant erupted into chaos. Gunshots echoed, mingling with screams and the sickening sound of steel pipes shattering bone. The air filled with the savage, violent beat of revenge. But reality is unforgiving. Soon, the harsh rattle of automatic gunfire sliced through the frenzy. The workers fell silent, the last sparks of their defiance snuffed out.