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An Extract from the book
"Look out!" called Raphael as he screeched to a halt, just
missing a van that had driven out of a side street in front
of them and now straddled the road. As Raphael opened the
car door to get out and ask if the occupant of the other car
was all right, another van screeched to a stop behind them,
blocking the road.
Anna squeezed John's shoulder as she said, "Get down on
the floor so they don't see you," then she stepped out of
the car to join her brother.
Out of both vehicles jumped men holding automatic rifles.
All had their faces covered so they could not be identified.
Three of the men from the van in front ran towards Raphael
and Anna, with one shouting, "Do not move or we will shoot
you."
Raphael asked, "What do you want? We have nothing."
"We want the American. Where is he?"
"American? What American?" replied the big man trying to
convince the attackers he did not know what they were talking
about.
With that, the one who had spoken struck Raphael across
the face with the butt of his weapon and was about to hit
him again as Raphael fell to the ground.
"There is no need for that," John said as he stepped out
of the car. "Here I am, leave him alone."
Now the two other attackers came running forward and pushed
John with their weapons. "Take him!" ordered the one who had
struck Raphael.
Anna stood between the kidnappers and John, just as one
of them reached out to take hold of him.
"Take me instead," she implored. "He is a good man and my
friend."
"Get out of the way, whore of the American!" snapped one
of the men and slapped Anna across the face.
"I will come with you willingly but do not hurt them," pleaded
John.
Before anything else could be said, Anna had pushed her
way between the attackers and John. She was beating one on
the chest with her closed fists screaming at the top of her
voice, "Police! Help! Police!"
Suddenly a shot rang out and .........
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