Mesmerized

think it's getting cold in here," Gregory said in hushed voice.
    She walked forward staring deeply into his soul. "99, 100, 101,102, 103."
    "Stop it! I will tell you what you want to know. Although, it will do you no good. I have a secret room in my basement. Under a floorboard is a hidden compartment. It's all there."
    Sandra looked over at Camille and raised an eyebrow. "Is he telling the truth?"
    She closed her eyes and her breathing increased. Half a minute later, her eyes snapped open. "Yes. He is telling the truth." She pulled out a small vile from her smock and handed it to Henry. "Drink this, and it will take away the fever."
    Henry tilted his head back and downed the sweet liquid. "Thank you," he whispered. 
    Camille looked at Sandra and Gregory. "I shall burn down the house and all it's contents."
    Gregory nodded. "What are we going to do with him?"
    A loud noise caused Gregory to spring into action. 
    ***
    John wondered what was going on behind the closed door. He'd rather be in there helping Greg then out here babysitting. Suddenly, the front door burst open and in charged four men with guns. 
    “Where is Henry?” Adam, the main guard demanded. All of the men’s eyes searched the room.
    John leveled his gun. They stared at each other each silently, daring the other to make the first move.
    Lily and Jake stayed quiet. 
    Swiftly, Adam reached out, grabbed Lily’s arm, and shoved a gun in her back. She shrieked in surprise and the door down the hall swung open. She felt relieved. Her father would not let anything happen to her. She wasn't ready to die. Her body shook under the man's grip. 
    Her father stepped out and his eyes widened. “Let go of her!”
    “Not until you give us Henry.” 
    "Put down the gun, and we will discuss it." 
    “That’s not going to happen.” Adam said sharply. 
    “Why don’t you let her go and take me?”
    Adam looked between the two of them. “She’s prettier. Makes for a better a hostage.”
    Lily glanced at Jake who looked petrified. 
    “It’s okay,” she told him.
    Adam yanked her hair. “Shut up.”
    “Ow! You don’t have to be nasty.” Tears sprang to Lily’s eyes.
    Jake took a step towards Lily. One of the men behind Adam held their gun up. “Stop right there.” 
    Jake glared at them. “You know the old guy wants me. Why don’t you just take me?”
    “Tempting, but since we have guns pointed at all of you right now, I think we’ve got it covered.”
    Jake thought about the situation. They all had guns; one was jammed in Lily’s back. He couldn’t die, but he was pretty sure Lily and her dad could if shot. However, he had a feeling that Lily’s father had skills and would go to any length to protect his daughter. Plus, they had John on their side. He made eye contact at Gregory and nodded. 
    Adam turned to one of the other guards and pointed to the room behind where Gregory was standing. “Go find out what’s going on in that room.” 
    Holding the gun up higher, the man advanced towards Gregory. The guard gestured with his gun and ordered, “Move!”
    Gregory stood there.
    “Dad,” Lily whimpered, not wanting her dad to get hurt.
    The man reached Gregory and pointed the gun directly at his chest. “Move or I shoot.”
    Gregory raised his hands in mock surrender. It happened in a blink of an eye. Her dad slammed his wrist into the guard’s wrist and disarmed his gun. Gregory now had the gun aimed at the man. 
    Lily's mouth hung open. How did her father know how to do that? 
    John turned and shot one of the guards. At the same time, Jake lunged at the guard closest to him, knocking him over. The gun went off, the bullet pierced through his shoulder. Jake cursed. John easily took that guard down. Only two guards left. Adam and the one that Gregory had under control. 
    Adam still had a hold of Lily. She looked like she was in shock. Her face was pale, and her eyes unfocused. 
    The door opened and Sandra walked out. She looked down at the dead guards in distain.
    Slowly she walked up to Adam. "Why do you have a gun on my daughter?"
    Adam squeezed Lily's arm tighter. Her mother’s power could be felt throughout the room. All eyes were on her. 
    "Stay back or I will shoot her," he stammered.
    "I don't think so." Sandra locked eyes with Adam. "Let go of my daughter and hand me your gun." 
    As if in a trance, he released Lily, and handed the gun over. Lily ran towards Jake. 
    "I'm afraid this was all a waste of time. Henry is