333: SURVIVING THE STORM

ARIEL'S POV Luke's question hung in the air, unanswered, while the men descended upon him with brutal force. I watched in horror as they unleashed a flurry of blows, their fists raining mercilessly down upon him. It was so painful to witness such an assault. What could I do right now? How could I put an end to the terrific scene unfolding before me? "Stop!" I screamed, my voice raw with desperation, as I struggled against my restraints, helpless to intervene. "That's enough! A voice resounded in the room. A familiar voice indeed. To verify my thoughts, I slowly turned in that direction, and stepping out of the shadows was Bernardo. He wore a black shirt that tightened around his body. His look was not nice. "Bernardo?" I vocalized in hushed tones, looking fixedly at him as he stepped closer. "Don't tell me you're the one behind this." "Are you surprised?" He asked a question, raising an eyebrow. "You rat me out, didn't you?" "Oh, Laura confronted you?" "Shut up!" He snapped w