Ladybug

Before you start reading this story, here are a few things you should know. I’ve decided to create a special mystery thriller universe of stories. So, this story is interconnected with one of my previous stories and it’s the second installment of that series.

This story belongs to the same universe as the ‘Dragonfly: The Devil’s Deception’. Before you start reading this story, you must read the previous story for better understanding.

If you haven’t read it before, you can read it here: "Dragonfly: The Devil’s Deception"

Title: Ladybug: A Mother’s Redemption

Chapter 1:

A shadowy town in Florida in 2009, [Before the events of Dragonfly]

A lady gangster is ruling the underworld. Her name is Scarlet. She is a wealthy and famous gangster and indulges in several illegal activities like weapon dealing and illegal weapon export. Even the opponent gang members are afraid of her. Police always fail to gather evidence to catch her. It’s because she removes all the shreds of evidence in a quick moment with her sharp mind.

At one night, while talking with one of her companion friends of the gang team, Louis. She is tired and reveals that she was an orphan and adopted by an evil gangster, Anthony. He helped her in becoming a lady gangster and her code name is ‘Ladybug’. However, she is tired of everything and wants to live a relaxed and untroubled life. So, her friend told her that she should start to live a normal life like others. Scarlet refuses and asks that she doesn’t have any other options.

Chapter 2:

One day, Scarlet went to New York as a leader with her team members to seal an arms deal. However, police came and a shootout occurred. A few of the gangsters and policemen died. However, she manages to escape that place. Yet, the information regarding the illegal export was done.

As Scarlet lost contact with her members, she decided to spend a few times alone. As time passed by, she became a normal citizen of the city. One day, at a coffee shop she met a boy, Alex. Their path crossed together. They asked about each other’s profession. Scarlet didn’t reveal the truth and tells him that she is a therapist. Alex is a software engineer.

They kept meeting frequently and became good friends. Scarlet had no time for love but started generating a few feelings for him. Alex is also generating a crush on her.

Chapter 3:

At one evening, Scarlet and Alex met near a hill. Scarlet reveals everything about her past and asks Alex if he accepts it or not. Although, she assured that she has started to live a normal life and not as a gangster. In addition, she also expresses her love to Alex. They both accepted each other and their friendship blossomed into love.

Scarlet and Alex got married. Alex has now set up his own engineering firm with the help of Scarlet. Meanwhile, Scarlet established her school of self-defense. She teaches children and people of all genders and age groups different self-defense techniques. Scarlet and Alex’s family flourished with the good news of a new family member. Scarlet gives birth to their child, Elliot (son). Their family is filled with joy and bliss despite the stormy past of Scarlet.

Scarlet vows that she will give her son enough love that she didn’t receive. Scarlet was an orphan but later adopted by an evil gangster Anthony. Later he included her in the gangster world. Scarlet also told her husband that she will keep the shadows of her past or sin away from her son. They will live a normal life like others.

Chapter 4:

As the year passed, Elliot grew up. Currently, he is an 8-year-old boy who goes to school. Everything was going well. Alex is now a successful engineer and Scarlet is a well-known self-defense teacher in their locality. Not only children but she also teaches karate to adults of all genders. However, one day, a few of her old gang members give her a surprise visit at her doorstep. Alex and Elliot weren’t present.

The gang members told her that they are deep entering into the world of drug trafficking. They want to expand it into the global market and set up a new illegal business. However, Scarlet refuses and tells them that she is not a gangster anymore. In addition, she is living a normal life at present and she moved on from her past gangster life.

The gang members met Scarlet thrice and asked her if she could returns and help them in their illegal business growth. Scarlet repeatedly rejected their offer saying that she abandoned her past gangster life. Currently, she is a mother and a teacher and doesn’t want to return to her past. The gang members told that news to Anthony.

Anthony told them not to worry, as he has a plan.

Chapter 5:

As per Anthony’s instruction, the gang members abducted Elliot from his school. Alex went to Elliot’s school to bring him home. He finds that his son already left the school. He returns to Scarlet where she was teaching karate and asks her if she brought their son from school or not.

Alex: Did you bring Elliot with you from school?

Scarlet: No, why? You’re supposed to collect him today from school.

Alex was astonished in panic. Scarlet asked him what happened and he told him that someone had collected their son from school before them. Scarlet was desperate and went towards Elliot’s’ school. Later, she went to the police and met and met an FBI officer, Mr. Jacob Carter. He knew Scarlet, as once she was on his criminal list. He tried to arrest her 9 years ago in New York. However, when he finds her living a normal life, he decides to let her go. The police officers assure Scarlet that they will try their best to bring her son back.

Scarlet and Alex return home and find a letter at their doorway. The letter consists of a threatening message. It is written in the letter that Anthony and his members have kidnapped her son. They will free him only if she rejoins them back.

Scarlet feels devastated and sits on her couch. Alex also shatters after reading the letter. He blamed her for not telling the incidents to police when the gang members attempted to approach her. Scarlet remains silent after receiving backlash from her husband. She kept looking at the letter.

Scarlet apologized to Alex that she took the gang members for granted. She vows that she will bring their son back at any cost. Next day, she went to meet Mr. Jacob and told him about the incident. He assures her that he will help her in the mission of rescuing her son. He also promises that if she ever needs assistance, he will send his people to assist her.

Chapter 6:

Scarlet went to Florida where she started her life. She finds out that her friend Louis is there. So, she asked him about her son. Louis refused to say a word. Scarlet told Louis that she trusted him as an ally but he turns out to be like other gang members. Louis told that they offered her an opportunity which she rejected. That’s why they abducted her son.

Louis: Unfortunately, we are gangsters, we don’t have a normal life. We are not emotional fool like you.

Scarlet: You’re totally wrong. Life can give you chance to clean all your sins. I just used it well and living a normal life and that is right.

Louis (laughed): There’s no right and wrong in our profession.

Scarlet: Where’s my son?

Louis orders the gang members to kill Scarlet. A standoff starts, Scarlet manages to kill all of them. Louis got injured and fell to the ground. Scarlet asked if he knew his son’s location.

Scarlet: Where is my son? Louis.

Louis (A moment before breathing his last): I don’t know, maybe now he is in Germany. You can find him either in Berlin or Frankfurt.

Scarlet: What they’re going to do with him?

Louis: Maybe a new gangster in the making.

Scarlet shoots Louis with her gun and kills him.

So, Scarlet sets out on an adventure to rescue her son in Germany. At first, she visits Frankfurt. There she encountered one of the merciless gang leaders from her past. His name is Cobra and his gang known as Cobra’s Gang. She visits his den and asks about her son’s location. Cobra negotiates that he might help her if she joins their team and promotes their illegal business growth of drug trafficking. Scarlet refuses the offer. Cobra threatens her that he should kill her son or make him into a gangster.

The gang members of Cobra try to kill Scarlet. But, Scarlett overpowers and kills them. Mr. Jacob sends a help to Scarlet. He sends Carl and Jessica Jackson. They are married couple works in the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) of Germany. They joined Scarlet and help her to kill Cobra and demolish his entire gang.

Now they board a train together and headed towards Berlin. They were having a conversation about the incidents. Scarlet reveals that she was a gangster once but now she is a mother. In addition, she went on a mission to rescue her son. The Jackson couple told her that they knew everything as Jacob told them about it. They also said that drug trafficking is increasing around the world and it is becoming more difficult to stop them.

Finally, they reached Berlin. They decide to meet Garcia, a local drug dealer who is a most wanted criminal. Yet, due to lack of evidence they can’t catch him. Scarlet with Carl, Jessica and a few German police forces went to Garcia. They sealed the place. Garcia refused to tell Scarlet’s son’s location. Suddenly, Anthony’s men came started a shootout.

After a few minutes of standoff, Anthony’s men threw smoke bombs. The place became foggy. One of the Anthony’s men hits Scarlet’s head. As a result, she got fainted. He told other members to carry her in the car. Garcia is planning to flee the area with them as well. Suddenly, Carl shoots him in the head. Jessica decides to shoot the car. However, it was too late, Anthony’s men managed to abduct Scarlet from the place.

The Jackson couple went towards Garcia’s body and found a boarding pass towards London. Jacob calls them and asks if everything is fine or not. They told everything about Scarlet’s abduction. The couple also mentions that they discovered a boarding pass in the late Garcia's pocket, suggesting that the gang members may be traveling to London.

Jacob (sighs): Okay, let me see what I can do.

Chapter 7:

At a warehouse in London,

Scarlet wakes up and finds herself tied with rope. Anthony’s men also tied her hands. She noticed several number of men (Anthony’s gang members) encircling her and a gentleman in a jacket standing between them. It turns out to be Jeff, brother of Anthony.

Jeff: Hey, my niece. How are you?

Scarlet: Where’s my son?

Jeff: Oh, don’t worry, you’ll meet your son soon but, only if you sign the contract to be with us again.

Scarlet: I will never.

Jeff: You’re so stubborn as always. Then, I hope you will never find your son again or your son might not have you again. We will raise another gangster by eliminating you. I mean banishing you.

Jeff orders the gang members to kill Scarlet. Suddenly, a car came breaking the door. It smashed Jeff’s men and someone firing through the car window. The vehicle stops, and someone steps out. As it happens, it's George [The main protagonist of “Dragonfly: The Devil’s Deception”].

Jeff orders his men to kill but they fail. It is because George kept firing them with his guns. Scarlet succeeds in freeing her as well, and she teams up with George in the combat against Jeff’s men.

Scarlet (after a deep sigh): Wow, after a long time? How are you bro? What are you up to these days?

George: Well, I’ll tell you everything soon after we escape this place.

They kept firing at Jeff’s men and killed more than 30 in the shootout. George asked Scarlet to get into his car. They board on the car and drive away from the place. However, Jeff is still alive and calls a few members to assist him.

While driving the car,

Scarlet: Thank you, George.

George: You’re welcome.

Scarlet: So what are you doing in London?

George: I can be anywhere at any time I want. There’s an advantage of owning 4 private jets.

(Both laughs)

George hands over Scarlet a few documents and tells her that his men are in Istanbul and gathers information about Anthony. He is probably heading towards Vienna.

Scarlet: How did you know all of this?

George: Actually, I have sent 11 of my men’s with my lookalike in an encrypted mission. When I got the news about your son’s abduction, I told 2 of them to gather information about it. So, they did it.

Scarlet: Lookalike?

George: Yeah, it’s a long story. It is said that and according to the scientists, each person in this world has 6 lookalikes. So it means there might be seven people including me got the same face as me. Ironically, I got one here in London. He is Akash, born and raised in Kolkata. He moved here almost 6 months ago. He needed money for his mother’s cancer treatment, although she got 90% recovered from cancer. Also, I needed him for my mission.

Scarlet: That sounds interesting. So, what mission?

George: I wish I could explain, but It’s quite complicated and I also don’t have enough information regarding it. The mission is all about “Dragonfly”.

Scarlet: Oh, I see. I can understand.

George: I also sent Agatha to assist him. I think currently they are heading towards Singapore.

Scarlet: Fine. Btw, you have also evolved a lot.

George (gently laughs): Well, I appreciate that.

Scarlet: So what are you doing nowadays?

George: I am a businessman just doing business in legal ways. Additionally, I am also teamed up with several legal authorities around the world to demolish the drug trafficking.

Suddenly, they looked at their car’s looking glass and finds out Jeff with his remaining men chasing them with five more cars. A rampage starts occurring in the streets. George and Scarlet together manage to extinguish the four cars. Only Jeff’s car is remaining. George asked Scarlet to use the missile launcher behind his car seat. She took the missile launcher and aimed it towards Jeff’s car. Jeff and his remaining men die in that explosion.

Finally, they headed towards Cambridge City airport. George gives one of his private jets to Scarlet and asks his men to assist and take care of her.

Scarlet: Thank you so much, George. I am grateful for what you’ve done.

George: Oh, come on. Don’t say like that. It’s my duty to do so.

(Scarlet sighs as she is tired.)

George: I wish I could accompany you to Vienna to bring your son back to you. However, I am stuck here on another mission. I wish I could’ve done more.

Scarlet: You already did so much. I’m thankful for it.

George: You’re most welcome.

Scarlet: If you need any help in the future, don’t hesitate to contact me. I will be happy and available to help you.

George: Sure, I will.

They both hugged and waved each other goodbye.

Scarlet: See you soon, bro.

George: Yeah, see you soon.

Scarlet boarded the flight and headed towards Vienna.

Chapter 8:

Scarlet arrives in Vienna and based on the information that George’s men gathered, she goes to the place where she can find Anthony. So she took a cab from the airport and reached near “Innere Stadt”. Scarlet disguised herself and reached to Anthony. Although, he recognizes her, and she gets caught by his men.

Anthony: So here you are finally?

Scarlet: Where’s my son Anthony?

Anthony: Well sure, you will meet him for sure. At last, meet everyone before.

Anthony introduces Margaret who took charge of Scarlet’s place, after she left the gangster organization. Margaret brings Elliot with her. Anthony threatens Scarlet whether she will save her kid or help them to spread the drug trafficking around the world.

Anthony: The choice is yours. Choose carefully.

Scarlet: Leave him alone. Soon police will come and demolish your illegal business.

Anthony: Well, you gave me no chance. Margaret please took charge. No don’t kill her. Beat her to death.

Elliot: Momma.

Anthony (caught Elliot): Stay with me. I don’t want you to observe your mother’s death.

Scarlet is ready for a duel combat with Margaret. Jacob is also on his way to reach the place with the police. Margaret started beating Scarlet mercilessly. After a few minutes, police came and seized the place. Jacob and his team with a few of George’s men overpower Anthony’s gang.

Meanwhile, after finding the place is seized by police, Anthony threatens to push a drug inside Elliot’s veins. So, the authorities stopped firing. Scarlet is injured after receiving several punches from Margaret. Finally, she stands up and finds a knife near Margaret’s leg. Scarlet picked it up and threw it towards Anthony. It stabbed Anthony and he with the syringe fell down.

Jacob with police and George’s men resumes their firing. They started to kill Anthony’s gang members one by one in a shootout. Margaret also resumes her combat with Scarlet, but this time the table has turned. Scarlet started overpowering her. Scarlet told Margaret that her motherhood makes her a strong woman, as she can do anything to protect her son. She also said that she might have left the shadows in the past, but she is a famous karate teacher in her locality at present. After a heavy combat, Scarlet manages to kill Margaret.

Then, she runs towards her son Elliot. She finds that Anthony who is stabbed is lying on the floor. She picks up her son and has a conversation with Anthony who is about to breathe his last. Anthony told her that she has become so braver than she used to be. Scarlet with tears shoots him.

Anthony dies.

Epilogue: The Reunion

Scarlet hugs her son, give him a forehead kiss, and vows that she will protect him and keep him away from all the shadows of her past.

Finally, Scarlet returns to Alex with Elliot in New York. They all started to live their regular life.

Scarlet now goes with Elliot to his school every day to ensure his protection. Elliot also joins Scarlet’s coaching with other kids to learn self-defense. Alex apologized, reconciled, and thanked Scarlet.

The couple celebrates Elliot’s 9th birthday with passion and joy.

Aftermath (Postscript, aka Post-Credit Scene)

At his office, Jacob was working with his files. An email appears on his screen. It shows that Mr. Troy Harris, a notable political figure from Virginia, USA is in danger. He needs protection against some evil gangsters and drug mafias.

The person who sends this email is named ‘Scorpio’.

Brendan (Jacob’s assistant): Is there anything wrong, Sir?

Jacob: Can you pass me the cell phone?

Brendan: Sure, sir.

(Jacob picks up the cell phone and dials a number)

Jacob: Hello. It’s Jacob here, from FBI New York. I think I need your assistance.

.

.

The End